Potential transfer options for Alabama to replace Jahvon Quinerly
The Alabama coaching staff will have its work cut out for it following Jahvon Quinerly’s decision to enter the transfer portal.
Quinerly was a clutch player for the Crimson Tide in postseason play. He was one of the key reasons Alabama won SEC championships in 2021 and 2023.
With his departure, the coaching staff could look in a variety of directions. As it stands, Alabama has 10 scholarship players for next year’s roster. North Dakota State transfer Grant Nelson is expected to commit to Alabama in the near future pending something unforeseen. That would give Alabama 11 scholarship players with two spots remaining.
The likelihood of the coaching staff filling both roster spots is low, however, given the level of talent available in the transfer portal. There is an increased chance Alabama adds one more transfer to the roster before preparing for next season.
Roll Tide Wire lists some of the potential transfers available that could replace Quinerly for the 2023-2024 season.
Jordan Brown
2022-23 Stats: 19.3 PPG / 8.6 RPG / 1.8 APG / 1.2 BPG
Alabama lost its starting power forward and center this offseason when Noah Clowney and Charles Bediako headed to the NBA. With their absence, the Crimson Tide have been active in the transfer portal trying to find reinforcements for the frontcourt. A player that Alabama might show interest in is Lousiana transfer Jordan Brown. The California native has a great deal of experience and is an elite scorer. At 6 feet, 11 inches and 225 pounds, Brown can also rebound on both ends of the floor at protect the rim. He is one of the top available transfers and would likely serve as the team’s starting center. The only question with Brown is whether he will be eligible. Brown played one season at Nevada, one season at Arizona and the last two seasons at Louisiana.
Paul Mulcahy
2022-23 Stats: 8.3 PPG / 3.6 RPG / 4.9 APG / 41.6 FG% / 37.0 3P%
One of the more interesting names in the transfer portal is Rutgers guard transfer Paul Mulcahy. The New Jersey native spent four years with the Scarlet Knights. Mulcahy was a key player off the bench until the 2022-2023 season when he started 28 games. At 6 feet, 7 inches, Mulcahy can play multiple positions and presents challenges on the defensive end with his length. Several programs appear in the mix to land Mulcahy: Kentucky, Gonzaga, Notre Dame and Washington. However, Alabama would be added to the sweepstakes if the coaching staff shows interest. With it being late in the process of assembling a team, it would not be surprising to see Alabama at least reach out.
Ithiel Horton
2022-23 Stats: 12.3 PPG / 3.7 RPG / 1.6 APG / 37.6 FG% / 34.8 3P%
One of the more recent transfer portal additions was Ithiel Horton. The New Jersey native began his career at Delaware. After one season, he transferred to Pittsburgh. Following two seasons with the Panthers, Horton transferred to UCF. He has been productive at each stop both off the bench and as a starter. Horton has 83 career starts at the Division I level. If Alabama were to express interest, the pitch would likely be to have Horton as the No. 4 guard on the roster behind Mark Sears, Aaron Estrada and Latrell Wrightsell Jr.
Jalen Rucker
2022-23 Stats: 16.6 PPG / 4.1 RPG / 3.6 APG / 45.5 FG% / 30.1 3P%
The logic behind Jalen Rucker transferring to Alabama may not make sense. After all, Rucker is 5-foot-10 and is not an elite shooter from distance. However, Alabama is scrambling to fill the final spots on the roster, and he appears to be one of the more interesting transfers available. Rucker is relatively consistent from the field having shot 45.5% this past season. He has started 84 of the 86 games he has played over the course of his college career. As I mentioned, the coaching staff is looking to add depth at this point. Rucker would provide that to the roster.
Marko Maletic
2022-23 Stats: 15.9 PPG / 3.1 RPG / 1.0 APG / 43.2 FG% / 38.8 3P%
Marko Maletic spent the first two years of his college career playing for Fanshawe Community College and Laramie County Community College. Following those two stops, Maletic transferred to play for Long Island. He was the team’s leading scorer and led the team in 3-pointers made (69). Maletic is 6 feet, 6 inches meaning he could play both guard positions and small forward at Alabama. Head coach Nate Oats likes versatility and Maletic would bring that much to the table.
Adrame Diongue
2022-23 Stats: 1.3 PPG / 1.8 RPG / 0.2 APG / 52.6 FG%
Adrame Diongue is a 7-footer who spent his freshman season playing for Washington State. The native of Dakar, Senegal, has a similar skill set to former Alabama center Charles Bediako. The two are similar in stature. Diongue did not get much in-game action for the Cougars last season. With Alabama looking for a post presence, Diongue being added to the roster would make a lot of sense. Something that is interesting to note is that Diongue previously heard from Alabama upon entering the transfer portal.
Tre Mitchell
2022-23 Stats: 11.7 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 1.8 APG / 47.0 FG% / 36.4 3P%
Note: Since this story was published, Mitchell committed to Kentucky.
If there was one player who I believe perfectly fits Nate Oats’ system, it is West Virginia transfer, Tre Mitchell. At 6 feet, 9 inches and 225 pounds, he has the size and skills to match what the coaching staff is looking for. Mitchell is versatile enough to play the three, four or five. He can also shoot fairly well from both the floor and from distance. Mitchell took an official visit to Kentucky over the weekend. However, Alabama’s coaching staff could create some traction by mentioning the recent success it has had developing players in the frontcourt. It will be interesting to see if Alabama reaches out.
