In 1981, Ennis Whatley was the center of a controversial recruiting battle between UAB and the University of Alabama. UAB's Gene Bartow put on a full court press to convince the guard from Birmingham's Phillips High to enroll at UAB. Alabama coach Wimp Sanderson was just as intent on getting him for the Crimson Tide. Whatley ended up going to Alabama. In a speech Monday at the Birmingham Tipoff Club, Whatley and Sanderson recalled some key moments in the story.

Whatley acknowledged that he faced a tough decision and that he was torn as to what do do. But he summarized the story by saying, "For you UAB people here, I didn't do all those things they said I did."

Sanderson recalled that he first became interested in recruiting Whatley after an Alabama fan told him of a guard at Phillips high "who could look west and pass the ball east." Sanderson and an assistant coach made the recruiting home visit for Whatley. Sampson recalled that Whatley's father was in the yard, working on a car. The two coaches sat and talked with Whatley's mother.

Whatley himself wasn't there. "I was a coach for 38 years, and I recruited for 37 years," Sanderson said. "That was the only time I've ever made a home visit and the recruit wasn't present." As he left, he turned to his assistant coach and asked, "How are we going to get this guy? He wasn't even there."

Whatley explained his absence in a Q-and-A session following his speech. "I was tied up on the Southside," Whatley explained. "I had a previous appointment and I couldn't get free."

Neither Whatley nor Sanderson provided many details about the player's decision, but Whatley did mention one major tipping point. He was at an event that included Alabama football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Bryant came over to Whatley and said, "Son, there's Auburn and there's Alabama. Make your decision."

Whatley stayed at Alabama for two seasons and was drafted in the first round (13th overall) by the Chicago Bulls in 1983. He played ten seasons in the NBA with the Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Bullets, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Portland Trail Blazers.

Sanders spoke of Whatley's many achievements in Tuscaloosa and in professional ball, but said "that's not the story." The story, he explained, was that Whatley spent two years at Alabama "struggling to find his way, and now he's found his way." Since retiring from basketball, Whatley has been an ordained minister for fourteen years.

Whatley added that he was pleased to see Mike Davis take over at UAB. "Please be patient with him," Whatley said. "He's a good coach. He's going to do a good job at UAB."

Whatley added that he and Davis had a personal relationship. According to Whatley when he was still trying to "find his way" Davis used to tell him, "You're a great guard - just work on your game," in a effort re-focus Whatley from his then partying ways.

When Davis went through a deep personal struggle Whatley was there to encourage him. I told him, "you know you can coach, come on down here and coach," urging Davis to join him in Whichita Falls where Whatley was playing in the CBA.

Whatley is now living in Maryland with his wife and two children and speaking to groups around the nation.