Alabama Basketball: Nate Oats finalizes roster with former 5-Star PG

Former 5-Star, McDonald’s All-American point guard, Jahvon Quinerly will transfer from Villanova to complete Nate Oats’ Alabama basketball roster.

Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats has pulled in the player expected to the Crimson Tide point guard of the future in Jahvon Quinerly. Quinerly exited the Villanova Wildcats via the transfer portal several weeks ago. Nate Oats reached out to the young man immediately.

As a member of the 2018 class, Quinerly was rated a 5-Star and the No. 29 player in the class by 247Sports. Jahvon was also a McDonald’s All-American. At Villanova, learning Jay Wright’s system slowed his progress and playing time. Having to mesh with an offensive system that does not leave the ball in any certain player’s hands was a transition for Quinerly. Furthermore, like many freshmen phenoms, Quinerly had to learn to defend multiple positions.

After the season, Jay Wright spoke highly of Quinerly and praised him for his determination to improve his play. On-ball skills were never a weakness for Jahvon. His thin build did leave him vulnerable to being pushed around by bigger, more physical guards.

The good news for Jahvon is Nate Oats’ system will open the floor up for Jahvon and allow him to maximize his offensive strength to dribble-drive. Some excited Alabama basketball fans have claimed Oats will get more out of Quinerly than did Jay Wright. As an older and more mature player, Jahvon will be better in Tuscaloosa than he was in Philadelphia. Claiming Oats is better at developing players than Jay Wright is just foolishness.

The downside for Alabama basketball is having to use a scholarship on Quinerly while he sits out a season. That is barring some surprise granting of immediate eligibility by the NCAA. Quinerly can benefit from the extra season to bulk out somewhat and add strength.

With the addition of Beetle Bolden to backup Kira Lewis, Oats is already solid at point guard for the coming season. Bolden has one season of eligibility left and Lewis will likely move to the NBA after a sophomore season. Having Quinerly to then step in is great roster management by Oats.

https://twitter.com/AlabamaMBB/status/1135349852374818818

How excited is the new Crimson Tide coaching staff? Check out Bryan Hodgson’s tweet below.

In somewhat less exciting, but still eventful Alabama basketball news, check out the newly slimmed down Javian Davis-Fleming.

The young man appears prepared for the Nate Oats style of play.

Post updated: Apparently Jahvon will petition for a waiver to play in the coming season. If the waiver is approved, Oats will not have a too many guards problem. Today’s free-flowing game makes most guards combo-guards anyway.