LIVINGSTON – First year University of West Alabama men’s basketball coach Mark Downey announced Jarell Byrd as his first signee for the upcoming 2013-14 season.

Byrd, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound wing, will enter his junior year at UWA after transferring from Wofford College. In his sophomore season with the Terriers he posted 136 total points in just two starts.

“We are excited to have Jarell join us,” said Downey. “After recruiting him all summer, I’ve gotten to know him and his family very well. He is a long athletic player who is also smart. Not only is he a good player, but he is also a good person.

“He gained some good experience at the Division I level under a good coach on top of a very successful high school career,” Downey said. “He turned to Division II in hopes of more playing time.”

Before his two seasons in the Southern Conference, Byrd played at St. Thomas More in Oakdale, Conn., as a post-graduate. He led the team to the national prep school basketball championship averaging 17 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Byrd also attended Lynn English High School where he broke the 1,000 career point mark averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds per game. He was the first player in school history to post a quadruple-double (18 points, 14 rebounds, 13 blocks, 10 assists) in a game. His performance earned him the 2010 Lynn Player of the Year, as well as a McDonalds All-American nomination.

Byrd has made appearances in the Massachusetts vs. Connecticut All-Star game and the Connecticut vs. Delaware All-Star Game. He has proven a difference maker not only on the court, but in the classroom as well graduating from high school as a member of the National Honor Society.