Former Alabama Guard Jalil Bethea Announces Transfer Destination

The former McDonald's All-American has found his third home in as many years, this one being in the state where he grew up.

Alabama guard Jalil Bethea celebrates a play in the first half of the game against Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI

Former Alabama guard Jalil Bethea is transferring to Pittsburgh, per his Instagram. Bethea is returning to his home state, as he grew up in Philadelphia.

Bethea announced on April 7 that he'd be entering the transfer portal, and it only took him five days to find a new home. He is one of three members of the Crimson Tide's 2025-26 roster to enter the transfer portal, joining forwards Taylor Bol Bowen and Aiden Sherrell.

No Alabama player has officially announced his return for 2026-27 just yet, but should all of the remaining guards stay, the Crimson Tide would have just three true backcourt players: Aden Holloway, Davion Hannah and Preston Murphy Jr. That said, all three of UA's 2026 commits are 6-foot-5 wings and should be able to act as guards.

Alabama doesn't have much depth at the guard spot for next season. It had a plethora of options this year, but Labaron Philon Jr. declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Houston Mallette exhausted their collegiate eligibility. The aforementioned Aden Holloway isn't even guaranteed to return to college basketball, as he's in the midst of a court case after being charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and failure to affix a tax stamp on March 16.

Bethea saw time in 26 games (no starts) during his sophomore campaign in Tuscaloosa. That said, he played just eight minutes per game, which resulted in averages of 3.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.2 steals and 0.1 blocks. He shot 37.5 percent from the field, including a 31.4 percent clip from downtown.

Regardless of his lack of minutes, Bethea was a depth piece that Alabama currently lacks. The Tide will have to priortize a point guard in the transfer portal due to the loss of Bethea, Philon, Wrightsell and Mallette.

The former McDonald's All-American transferred to Alabama last offseason after spending his freshman year at Miami. He played 18.1 minutes per game (16 starts) with the Hurricanes and averaged 7.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists.

The transfer portal opened on April 7, the day after the National Championship, and will close on April 21. BamaCentral is keeping track of the Crimson Tide’s outgoing and incoming players and coaches right here ahead of next season.

For those eyeing the next level, the NCAA’s early entry withdrawal deadline for the 2026 NBA Draft is May 27 at 10:59 p.m. CT.

Alabama Players Who Could Still Return, Transfer or Enter NBA Draft

G Aden Holloway (would be a senior)
G Davion Hannah (would be a sophomore *pending redshirt*)
G Preston Murphy Jr. (would be a senior)
F Amari Allen (would be a sophomore)
F London Jemison (would be a sophomore)
F Keitenn Bristow (would be a junior *pending redshirt*)
C Collins Onyejiaka (would be a sophomore *pending redshirt*)

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