FAYETTEVILLE — Former Arkansas small forward Barry Dunning announced his transfer destination Friday.
A 4-star signee in the Razorbacks’ 2022 class, Dunning stated in a post to his Twitter account that he has signed with Alabama-Birmingham. He is the first Arkansas player from the 2022-23 roster to join a new program.
Forward Makhel Mitchell and guard Derrian Ford are currently undecided.
“With UAB, I got along well with the coaches,” Dunning, a Mobile, Ala., native, said in an interview with AL.com. “We talked. It’s a good relationship, and they believe in me. They are giving me the opportunity to showcase what I can do.
“It’s closer to home. It’s not far from Mobile.”
Dunning originally committed to the Razorbacks on July 5, 2021, over offers from Auburn, Alabama, Memphis, LSU, Ole Miss and other programs. He stated plans to transfer on April 19.
A two-time Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year at McGill-Toolen Catholic, Dunning played 51 minutes over 16 games in 2022-23. He earned a starting nod in Arkansas’ win over Troy on Nov. 28.
Dunning scored his first college point on a free throw in the Razorbacks’ win against Bradley in North Little Rock on Dec. 17. His two made field goals came in the team’s Sweet 16 loss to Connecticut on March 23.
Dunning did not play more than three minutes in a game after the start of SEC play.
UAB is led by Andy Kennedy, the former Ole Miss coach who is entering his fourth season with the program. The Blazers last season finished 29-10 overall and advanced to the championship game of the NIT.
UAB made the NCAA Tournament in 2022 for the first time since 2015.