Bama Basketball Transfer Recruit Jaykwon Walton Arrested for Marijuana Possession

Editor's Note: This story has been updated since its original publication to include a statement issued by Alabama men's basketball coach Nate Oats.

TUSCALOOSA, AL — College basketball standout Jaykwon Walton was arrested in Tuscaloosa Saturday night and charged with second-degree possession of marijuana, which comes nearly a month after announcing his decision to transfer to the University of Alabama.

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Tuscaloosa Police Department spokeswoman Stephanie Taylor confirmed the misdemeanor arrest to Tuscaloosa Patch Monday afternoon, saying TPD officers had received multiple complaints from residents about a large number of vehicles parked in their parking lots.

Once on scene, Taylor said officers approached an occupied vehicle in the 400 block of Reed Street at 10:11 p.m.

"The officers smelled marijuana and asked the three men to exit the car," Taylor told Patch. "Front seat passenger Jaykwon Walton, 21, of Pike Road in Montgomery County, informed an officer of a loaded firearm under his seat. While retrieving the firearm, the officer noticed a rolling tray, a baggie containing approximately 20 grams of marijuana and a half-rolled blunt in the passenger side floorboard.".

Taylor then said officers located two more loaded weapons in the vehicle and another baggie containing 12 grams of marijuana that belonged to back-seat passenger Kameron Deshawn Harris, 21, of Bessemer.

Both Harris and Walton were charged with second-degree possession of marijuana and released after posting $500 bond. Taylor said the driver was released with no charges.

Second-degree possession of marijuana is a Class A misdemeanor in Alabama. Those found guilty face up to a year in jail and fines up to $6,000.

With consideration to the firearms in the vehicle, concealed carry of a handgun without a pistol permit became legal in Alabama on Jan. 1, 2023.

Walton's arrest also comes after his highly publicized transfer to the Alabama basketball program from Wichita State following the conclusion of the 2022-23 college basketball season. Sources indicate he has not yet officially signed with the program and is not enrolled at the University of Alabama.

Walton was a standout at George Washington Carver High School in Montgomery and played his freshman season at Georgia, before transferring to Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa.

After leading Shelton State to an Alabama Community College Conference title during the 2021-22 season, he initially signed a letter of intent to play for Mississippi State but ultimately transferred to Wichita State for his junior year and appeared in 28 games for the Shockers last season.

A highly touted prospect coming out of the NCAA Transfer Portal, Walton led the Shockers in points per game with 13.9 during the 2022-23 campaign, while also averaging 5.3 rebounds.

Walton's best performances last season saw the 6-7 guard score 24 points on two separate occasions — both in losses to Houston and Tulane.

Walton first announced his intentions to transfer to Alabama on March 28.

The news of Walton's arrest also comes as the UA men's basketball program is still reeling from the Jan. 15 shooting death of Jamea Harris, which saw former Tide basketball player Darius Miles and his childhood friend Michael Davis both charged with capital murder.

In a statement provided to Patch, Oats said: “Alabama is no longer recruiting Jaykwon Walton and he will not be a student-athlete at The University of Alabama.”

Ryan Phillips is an award-winning journalist, editor and opinion columnist. He is also the founder and field editor of Tuscaloosa Patch. Email news tips to ryan.phillips@patch.com.