The NCAA informed the University of Alabama on Friday that it had denied a request for an immediate eligibility waiver for transfer point guard Jahvon Quinerly. Alabama officials immediately announced that they would appeal the decision.
Quinerly, who transferred after one year at Villanova, sought the waiver after allegations that he had been involved in violations uncovered by a Federal investigation into college basketball recruiting were disproven. He was a McDonald’s All-American and Top 50 National prospect in 2018.
“Disappointed with this decision,” Quinerly said via his Twitter account on Friday “My family and I have been through a lot and I know how much it would mean for my mom and my dad to watch me suit up when our season begins. Despite the news, I am going to continue to work hard both on and off the court and will remain hopeful that I will be able to play this year.”
Alabama released a joint statement from director of athletics Greg Byrne and head basketball coach Nate Oats after the ruling was received
“We just received notification from the NCAA that our request for Jahvon Quinerly’s immediate eligibility has been denied,” the statement said. “We are disappointed in this decision and will be appealing. He and his family have been through a lot, and despite those challenges, Jahvon has done everything he’s been asked since he’s been here.”
With Quinerly out, Alabama — which has already lost forwards James Rojas and Juwan Gary to knee injuries — will have only 10 scholarship players available for season.
Beetle Bolden, a graduate transfer from West Virginia who has been held out of full contact in preseason practice because of a shoulder injury, has been cleared to play on Sunday and “should get some minutes” against the Yellow Jackets, per Oats.
Bolden played in Friday’s open practice and “really shot it well,” Oats said. The 6-1 guard left the practice briefly, holding his left wrist after a hard fall, but returned to the practice after the wrist was taped.
“He should be fine,” Oats said. “He’s a tough kid. He was taking a charge but he takes a charge on almost every play he can.”
The Crimson Tide is expected to start its veteran lineup of juniors Herb Jones, Alex Reese, Galin Smith and John Petty with sophomore point guard Kira Lewis III on Sunday.
Oats said he was less concerned with a starting rotation than with overall team effort.
“Is our tempo up?,” Oats said. “Is our defense good? Are we playing at the pace we need to be? Those are the things we will be looking for.”
Georgia Tech, which went 14-18 last season, has played one exhibition game, defeating Georgia College 98-76. VMI transfer Bubba Parham led the Ramblin’ Wreck with 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting beyond the new NCAA 3-point arc.
The game is also part of a big recruiting weekend. Five-star Isaiah Jackson, a 6-10 forward from Waterford, Mich., has narrowed his choices to Alabama, Kentucky and Syracuse and was in attendance at the Crimson Tide’s Friday practice. Also due to visit is 6-7 forward Keon Ambrose, an ESPN Top 100 prospect from Toronto.
Sunday afternoon’s charity exhibition game is scheduled for a 12:05 p.m. tipoff. Tickets for the contest are on sale for $5 and can be purchased via the Alabama Tide Pride Ticket Office (205.348.2262) located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum or online at RollTide.com. All proceeds for that contest will be donated to the American Red Cross Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund.
Reach Cecil Hurt at cecil@tidesports.com or via Twitter @cecilhurt
