Alabama junior guard John Petty was one of three Crimson Tide basketball players to declare for the 2020 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility. In a recent interview with Charity Chambers of WZDX in Huntsville, he explained his decision to test the draft waters.

“Basically just some good feedback from some NBA scouts, some of my coaches and also just by the year I had -- I know I had a great year,” Petty told Chambers. “I know that in previous years I could have tried it, so this year, I just thought that it would be best if I just tried and put my name in there and see what I get.”

Petty said his two-year-old daughter also played a role in his decision. But he hasn’t ruled out a return to Alabama for his senior year. The deadline to withdraw from the draft is June 15.

“It’s just a great atmosphere down there, the city, everything,” Petty said of playing for the Tide. “The coaches were good last year. It just felt like home. Even though I wasn’t that far from home, I was two hours away, Tuscaloosa felt like a home for me. So, my time there was amazing. Even though the situation I’m in now, my time might not be up there.

“I’ll probably be up there another year, depending on how everything else goes, but I’m just really trying to finish this semester out the best way I can.”

As a junior, Petty was considered the top three-point shooter in the conference. Averaging 14.5 ppg, the Huntsville, Ala., native led the league in three-point shooting percentage (.440) and ranked second in threes made per game (2.9), totals that ranked ninth and 28th in the nation. He also led Alabama and ranked 11th in the SEC with 6.6 rebounds per game.

Last month, head coach Nate Oats said he and his staff were actively recruiting replacements for Petty and sophomore guard Kira Lewis, while he assumed Herbert Jones would return to Alabama. The Crimson Tide signed five players and lost three to graduation and the transfer portal. Should Jones and Petty return, UA will need another current player to leave.

“With Petty’s situation, I thought he had a really good year,” Oats said earlier this week. “I think he’s back on NBA teams’ radar. But first-round picks are guaranteed money; second-round picks are not.

“Some early second-round picks, they do give them guaranteed contracts. I think it’s one of those deals where if you’ve got guaranteed, you should probably go. If you don’t, in my opinion, you probably shouldn’t. But again, that’s a personal decision that they’ve got to make, and I think John and his mother are pretty smart people that, I think, will make a good decision. I don’t think they know what they’re doing yet. Honestly, I think they’ve got to get more data.”

Watch Petty’s full interview with Chambers by CLICKING HERE.

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Contact Charlie Potter by personal message or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).