Alabama guard Jaden Shackelford makes decision on future

Alabama basketball guard Jaden Shackelford announced his decision to enter the 2022 NBA Draft and hire an agent Sunday night on social media. The former four-star recruit spent three seasons as a starter with the Crimson Tide, testing the NBA waters and entering the transfer portal last year before returning.

Jaden Shackelford enters the NBA Draft after averaging a career-high 16.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in 2021-22 and shooting 35.1 percent from the 3-point line. Over his career, the California native averaged 15.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists while helping Alabama reach the Sweet 16 in 2021.

The 6-foot-3 guard was a member of the 2019 recruiting class, ranked No. 130 in the country by the On3 Consensus. He hopes to join recent Alabama guards Collin Sexton, Kira Lewis and Josh Primo as players to be drafted after successful time at the school.

Jaden Shackelford pens letter to Alabama

In addition to his announcement, Jaden Shackelford penned a message to Alabama and its fans with a thank you for the past three years in Tuscaloosa.

“I want to start by thanking my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for all the wonders he has worked throughout my life and blessing me with the gift to play the game I love. I am not who I am today without my relationship with God. I can’t begin to thank my family enough for all of the sacrifice, dedication, love, and care they put into me and my love for basketball. I especially want to thank my amazing parents for laying an unbreakable foundation for me to be in the position I’m in today.

“These past three years have been unforgettable and some of the best times of my life! I have been taught to be grateful and appriative for everything you have and I just want to thank Coach Oats, Coach Pettway, and the rest of the staff for believing in me and allowing me to be apart of such an amazing program. To wach and every teammate I took the floor with, thank you for pushing me each and everyday to be my best self. We put blood, sweat, and tears in this together and I’m forever thankful for the brotherhood we created. Bama Nation! Thank you for embracing me and making me feel loved since day one. I appreciate you guys for believing in me and staying the course with our program over the years.

“With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft and intend on signing with an agent. Hard work and a constant obsession to get better has gotten me where I am today. This is just the beginning of mu journey and I am beyond blessed to be able to pursue my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA.

“Roll Tide!”