Two Alabama players named to 2024-25 Naismith Award preseason watch list

Two Alabama players named to preseason watch list for college basketball’s top individual honor.

The preseason honors continue to roll in for Alabama Crimson Tide standout Mark Sears, as the guard was named to the watch list for the Naismith Player of the Year. In addition to Sears, forward Grant Nelson was also named to the preseason watch list for the award.

College basketball’s top individual honor, the Naismith Trophy is presented annually to the top player in the sport, and has been won each of the last two seasons by former Purdue center Zach Edey.

With the Purdue star having since moved on the NBA as well, it means that there will be a new winner this season, and Sears is a popular preseason pick to do just that.

The preseason SEC Player of the Year, Sears was one of the top point guards in college basketball a year ago, averaging 21.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4 APG, and 1.6 SPG across 37 games. Sears also shot 50.8% from the field, 43.6% from three, and 85.7% at the free throw line, and received numerous honors that included All-American, First Team All-SEC, and more.

As for Nelson, the forward also started all 37 games for Alabama a year ago, averaging 11.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.5 APG, and 1.6 BPG. Nelson also shot 48.8% from the field, 27.3% from three, and 81.3% at the free throw line.