The Alabama Crimson Tide received some massive news Wednesday night as it pertains to their 2024-25 basketball roster, as a pair of players, Mark Sears and Jarin Stevenson, officially withdrew their names from the NBA draft to return to Tuscaloosa next season.
Likely the most anticipated draft decision overall, Sears was one of the top point guards in college basketball a year ago, starting all 37 games for the Crimson Tide to average 21.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4 APG, and 1.6 SPG. Sears would also post a shooting line of 50.8%/43.6%/85.7%, and received many honors that included First Team All-SEC and Second Team All-American.
Stevenson however started 5-of-37 games for the Crimson Tide a year ago as a freshman, averaging 5.3 PPG and 2.7 RPG. The forward also shot 41.8% from the field, as well as 31.7% from three and 68.9% at the free throw line.
Two key pieces of a 2023-24 Alabama team that reached the Final Four, both of Sears and Stevenson will now play significant roles once again for the Crimson Tide this upcoming season, with the former pencilled in at point guard for the third-straight year.
From Muscle Shoals, Alabama đ pic.twitter.com/TMhHephfXw
— Alabama Menâs Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) May 29, 2024
The word is out. The boys are backâźď¸ pic.twitter.com/xQfAtSK56z
— Alabama Menâs Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) May 30, 2024
Taking a deeper look at that team as well, is Alabama shaping up to be the preseason No. 1 team in all of college basketball entering next season?