Jahvon Quinerly Reflects on His Path to Winning Co-Sixth Man of the Year
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Jahvon Quinerly felt like he should've won the SEC Sixth Man of the Year award the year Alabama won the SEC Tournament. He said as much during Wednesday's press conference, where his answer got a few chuckles from the crowd.
But before he showed off his comical side, Quinerly reflected briefly on his career at Alabama; having to sit as a redshirt his first year, winning the SEC Tournament and being named Most Outstanding Player his second year, tearing his ACL during the first NCAA Tournament game last season and embracing a reserve role where he earned Co-Sixth Man of the Year honors this season.
Quinerly said that he thinks about his first year with the program the most, and the challenge of practicing but not playing.
"Just having to practice and practice and not being able to play in any games," Quinerly said. "The following year, winning an SEC Championship. It's been a journey."
Head coach Nate Oats raved about how Quinerly has grown, from one of the most notable high school players of his time to his willingness to accept a role off the bench during his first eligible year at Alabama.
"To come off the bench after having his name takes some humility," Oats said. "It also takes some leadership, some selflessness, and he's been all that. And he's grown a lot as a leader."
Oats mentioned a photo that was taken of him, Quinerly and Jay Wright, the former coach of Villanova where Quinerly spent his first year of college basketball.
"We talked before last game, and Jay talked about how much he's grown since he had him. My point was how much he's grown since we first got him," Oats said.
Quinerly's current coach continued to talk about how much Quinerly has become a leader who cares about his teammates and the right things.
As for Quinerly himself, he said that it was an honor to receive the award, but he would not have wanted the path to get there to be any different.
"It's made me be the person that I am today, and that's why I'm so honored to receive the award this year," Quinerly said.
But with a smile on his face, he ended his response with "even though I should've won it two years ago."
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