The big story of the week is Alabama point guard JD Davison. After one season in Tuscaloosa, Alabama guard JD Davison declared for the NBA draft in 2022, claiming he is “done with college.”
In his Instagram post, the state’s two-time high school Mr. Basketball champion in 2020 and 2021 thanked his family, teammates, and coaches and expressed his wish to pursue his “lifelong dream” of playing in the NBA. This season he averaged 8.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and shot 46.3% per game.
Davison was named to the SEC’s all-freshman team, but his draft stock has dropped to the No. 38 overall draft prospect according to ESPN. On June 23, the NBA will hold its two-round, 60-pick draft in Brooklyn, New York. Alabama coach Nate Oats expected Davison to declare for the draft by April 24th.
Keon Ellis, a predicted second-round pick, and junior guard Jaden Shackelford, who declared earlier this month, will join him in the draft. Before injuring his ACL in the Tide’s NCAA tournament defeat to Notre Dame, junior guard Jahvon Quinerly was expected to leave. He has yet to make a public comment on his future.
Alabama will add four freshmen, including two McDonald’s All-Americans in guard Jaden Bradley and forward Brandon Miller, as well as Ohio transfer guard Mark Spears, even though five players have entered the NCAA transfer portal since the end of last season. Alabama will also welcome back guard Nimari Burnett, a former McDonald’s All-American who transferred from Texas Tech and missed last season with a knee injury.
