Trevor Releford gives oral commitment to Alabama

Bishop Miege basketball standout Trevor Releford had many top collegiate suitors after a breakthrough junior season with the Stags and a strong summer showing. And now he has a decision.

Releford — rated the 98th-best senior in the country by Rivals.com and the 24th-best point guard — has given an oral commitment to Alabama, he confirmed by phone late Friday night while visiting Tuscaloosa, Ala., on an official visit.

“As soon as I got here, I felt it was the right place,” he said. “And I didn’t want to wait any longer.”

Releford was a first-team All-Metro selection as a junior last season. He averaged 18.6 points, 6.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game while leading Miege to the Kansas 5A state finals, where the Stags lost to Topeka’s Highland Park.

Releford’s brother Travis is a sophomore on Kansas’ basketball team, but Trevor said his final decision came down to Alabama, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

Assistant coaches from Alabama and Oklahoma were in attendance to watch Releford play in the Stags’ football game Thursday night, Miege basketball coach Rick Zych said. Releford, who visited Oklahoma last week, left Friday morning for Alabama.

Releford spoke highly of new Crimson Tide basketball coach Anthony Grant and mentioned the potential for early playing time as a factor in his decision.

“He’s telling me he’s ready to change Alabama basketball. I want to be a part of it,” Releford said of Grant. “It’s a good situation for me.”

The Crimson Tide offered Releford a scholarship over the summer after he played in a basketball camp in Alabama, he said.

“He’s been thinking about this decision for a long time,” Zych said. “… Now he can focus on finishing strong and football and trying to win some state championships in both sports.”

submitted by RYAN YOUNG - 2009-09-19 00:35:02

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