Alabama Crimson Tide point guard Mark Sears was one of the best players in college basketball during the 2023-24 season. Looking to capitalize on his success, he entered his name into the 2024 NBA Draft. However, he will delay his dreams of going pro one more season.
On Wednesday, he revealed that he will be returning to Tuscaloosa for his final season of eligibility. This is huge news for Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide, as they are getting their best player back in the fold for one more season.
“I got good feedback from the NBA,” Sears told ESPN. “But I can still get better in a few areas. I want to show I am a dog on defense next season, continue to bring vocal leadership and work on my body and get into better shape. NIL has changed basketball and NBA teams told me that age isn’t a factor in today’s game, so I was comfortable coming back to try and bring home a national championship to Alabama.”
The deadline for players to withdraw from the 2024 NBA Draft was 11:59 p.m. ET, May 29th. Along with Mark Sears, the Alabama Crimson Tide are also getting back Jarin Stevenson, who tested the NBA waters but also withdrew.
During the 2023-24 season, Mark Sears earned Second Team All-American honors as the leader of a high-powered offense. He was First Team All-SEC, averaging 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. It was the most efficient season of his career, as Sears shot 50.8 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from 3-point range.
“I’ve gotten better every year and next season won’t be any different,” Sears said. “I got a taste of the Final Four, and now I want to finish it off and bring it home.”
His return to the program should have the team as one of the favorites to win the NCAA Championship next season. They were defeated by the eventual champion UConn Huskies in the Final Four.
Mark Sears will likely be the preseason SEC Player of the Year for a deep, talented group Oats has put together. Grant Nelson and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. are both back along with Stevenson and Sears.
In the transfer portal, the Alabama Crimson Tide were big winners snagging Cliff Omoruyi, Chris Youngblood, Aden Holloway and Houston Mallette. Their incoming high school recruiting class is also strong with Derrion Reid, Labaron Philon, Aiden Sherrell and Naas Cunningham.
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