Fourth-year guard Trevor Releford of the Crimson Tide basketball team recently attended the LeBron James Skills Academy, a two-day skill development clinic for top high school and college basketball players in Las Vegas, Nev.

Out of the 100 athletes invited to participate, only 20 of them were plucked from the college ranks, putting Releford in an elite class of players.

Releford was one of three players representing the SEC. Tennessee’s Jordan McRae and LSU’s Johnny O’Bryant were also in attendance. The athletes improved their skills in front of hundreds of media members and scouts from nearly every NBA team.

Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player and two-time (back-to-back) NBA champion LeBron James of the Miami Heat directed the annual camp. Usually in James’ home state of Ohio, this year’s camp was forced to relocate to Las Vegas, Nev., due to James’ commitments with the USA Men’s Basketball Team Olympic training.

The 2012-13 campaign statistically was the best for Releford, as he finished with career highs in points (14.9) and steals (2.1) while cutting down on turnovers. He will be entering his senior season as the SEC leader in career points, assists and steals. He also drastically improved his three-point shooting percentage, up from 27.3 percent to 40.7 percent.

With the departure of former guard and five-star recruit Trevor Lacey to North Carolina State and five-star Devonta Pollard, Releford is figured to be the sole ball handler for the 2013-14 season. In his three years at the Capstone, Releford has played in one NCAA tournament and two National Invitational tournaments.