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Alabama Basketball Help Is On The Way: Preview Next Season’s New Players

By Ronald Evans

Nov 11, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Avery Johnson reacts to his teams play against Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Avery Johnson reacts to his teams play against Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Braxton Key (25) goes to the basket against Alabama Crimson Tide guard Lawson Schaffer (2) during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Braxton Key (25) goes to the basket against Auburn during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

John Petty – SG – 6′ 5″, 180 lbs. – Freshman – Huntsville, AL

247 Sports Composite 4-Star;  ESPN 5-Star; 2017 Mr. Basketball in the state of Alabama.

247 Sports ranked Petty the No. 1 player in the state of Alabama, No. 30 Overall Player in the nation and No. 5 Shooting Guard in the nation.

John Petty had more than a dozen scholarship offers, including Kentucky, Kansas, Vandy, Auburn, Connecticut, and Auburn. The recruiting battle came down to the Tide and Kentucky. The first recruiting call Avery Johnson made upon being named Alabama’s coach was to John Petty. That turned out to be a very good decision.

During the recruiting process, there were reports Petty was not a priority for the Wildcats. Such conjecture conflicted with reports coming out of the Big Blue nation. According to Ben Roberts, broberts@herald-leader.com Petty was the first 2017 recruit offered by Kentucky. “Petty, who grew up rooting for UK, would likely be more of a role player, at least in his first season, if he picked the Wildcats. Still, he’d have an opportunity to make an immediate impact.”

Check out this highlight video:

Petty is more of a wing player than a traditional shooting guard.  Some reports suggest Petty is closer to 6′ 7″ than he is to 6′ 5″. He has good outside shooting range, but with his height and length, his greatest asset is getting to the rim.

Unlike many big name high school stars, Petty also excels defensively. While there is no shortage of flash in John Petty’s game, his high school coach, Jack Doss insists Petty prides himself on his defense as well.

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