Jahvon Quinerly's injury recovery going faster than expected, Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats says
The Alabama basketball team might be getting point guard Jahvon Quinerly back sooner than expected.
Coach Nate Oats said Friday that Quinerly, who tore an ACL in his knee in Alabama's first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament, is ahead of schedule in rehabilitating the injury.
"We were (initially) hoping to have him back by SEC play," Oats said. "We might get him back a little bit earlier. It’d be great if we could get him some non-conference games in before we hit SEC play."
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Quinerly averaged 13.8 points last season for the Crimson Tide, but struggled from 3-point range and at one point was benched for defensive lapses. Nevertheless, his elite ball-handling skills and quickness made him a welcome return for a UA team facing turnover with most of its roster.
Oats spoke Friday in advance of the Crimson Tide's trip to Europe, where it will play three games against international pros.
"(Quinerly is) focused on his rehab, his nutrition, he’s getting his body back to where it needs to be with weight training," Oats said.
Oats said freshman point guard Jaden Bradley, a top recruit, will play limited minutes on the team's international trip as he is returning from an injury as well.
Reach Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @chasegoodbread
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Jahvon Quinerly injury update: Alabama guard may return before SEC play
