Prior to his senior season, Releford committed to the
Alabama Crimson Tide and Coach
Anthony Grant over
Oklahoma and
Tennessee. During his
freshman year, Releford started in 36 of 37 games, missing one for an illness, for the Crimson Tide at point guard and was twice named
Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Week. In his freshman year he was named to the SEC All-Freshmen team; also earned all-NIT honors for the tournament. He averaged 11.0 points per game and 3.4 assist per game as a freshman. He is one of four
University of Alabama freshmen to ever start the season-opening game at point guard. For his sophomore year, 2011–12, he averaged 12.0 points per game, 2.1 assist per game, and 2.1 steals per game. He led the team in steals per game and was one of the leaders for the SEC. Releford was named second-team All-SEC by the league's coaches. Releford led the University of Alabama to the
NCAA basketball tournament, but was narrowly eliminated in the first round by
Creighton University. For his junior year, 2012–13, he averaged 14.9 points per game, 2.8 assist per game, and 2.3 steals per game. Releford led the University of Alabama in scoring and steals, setting the school record for career steals. His 36 points against LSU was his season best. He was named first-team All-SEC for the first time in his career. Releford led the University of Alabama to the
NIT Tournament, and they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the tournament before being defeated by a score of 57–58 against the
University of Maryland. On February 11, 2012, Releford was one of three Alabama players suspended for the road game at LSU for a violation of team rules. On March 9, 2013, Releford made a buzzer-beating game-winning mid-court shot to enable a 61–58 victory over Georgia. The heave, which was the result of a steal on Georgia's offensive side of the court with less than five seconds remaining in the game, led to the three-point play that broke a 58-point draw at the horn. ==Professional career==