After one season, Alabama guard JD Davison says he is “done with college” and is entering the 2022 NBA Draft.
“To [Alabama] Coach [Nate] Oats, the entire staff, and the Crimson Tide fan base—thank you for believing in me,” Davison said on Instagram. “It was an honor to play in my home state and wear the Crimson. That wouldn’t have been possible without you all having faith in me. Thank you. With that said. I’ve decided to pursue my lifelong dream by declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft. I’m grateful to every single coach and teammate who helped me get here, and I’m ready to show the world what I can do at the next level.”
Crimson Tide fans shouldn’t hold their breath for a possible return to campus from the state’s two-time high school Mr. Basketball winner:
Davison was named to the SEC’s all-freshman team, but current ESPN rankings have him as the No. 38 draft prospect. The 60-pick draft is set for June 23.
“To be honest with you, a kid like him is going to get drafted on his upside,” Oats said. “Could he have played better as a freshman? Yeah, but can’t most freshmen play better? That’s the whole thing.
“My gut feeling is that he stays in the draft because he’s got such ridiculous upside and his best basketball is years down the road. He’s showed that he can do enough that he’s going to be drafted. That’s a family decision and I’m not making it for him.”
Davison averaged 8.5 points and 4.3 assists per game and only started six times, but he finished fourth on the team with 25.8 minutes.
He will be joined in the draft by departing teammates senior Keon Ellis and junior Jaden Shackelford. Junior Jahvon Quinerly was expected to declare before tearing his ACL in the NCAA tournament but has not made an official statement.
Despite the losses, Alabama will add four freshmen, including two McDonald’s All-Americans.
