Alabama’s Mark Sears has decided to withdraw from the NBA draft and return to school for his last season of eligibility, he informed reporters on Wednesday.
“I got good feedback from the NBA,” Sears said. “But I can still improve in a few areas. I want to prove that I am a dog on defense next season, continue to provide vocal leadership, and work on my physique to be in better condition. NIL has altered basketball, and NBA organizations have informed me that age is no longer a factor in today’s game, so I felt comfortable returning to Alabama to attempt to bring home a national title.”
The NCAA deadline for athletes to withdraw from the NBA draft while maintaining collegiate eligibility was Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET.
In addition to Sears, Alabama’s Jarin Stevenson withdrew from the draft before the deadline, according to sources. Stevenson averaged 5.3 points as a rookie last year.
Sears was one of collegiate basketball’s top players in 2023–24, garnering second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC recognition. He guided Alabama to the Final Four after multiple strong performances in the NCAA tournament.
The Alabama native led one of the nation’s fastest-paced and most effective attacks, averaging 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists.
Sears improved significantly from the previous year, becoming a considerably more dynamic shooter and prolific overall scorer, a trend he expects to continue in his fifth season of collegiate basketball.
“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.”
Sears’ return to Tuscaloosa is a significant boost for Nate Oats’ Crimson Tide, who will begin the season as one of the early favorites to win the national title.
Alabama returns another March Madness favorite in Grant Nelson for his last season of eligibility, who is arguably Sears’ biggest opponent for preseason SEC Player of the Year, as well as part-time starter Latrell Wrightsell Jr.
The Tide were successful in luring many top-tier recruits, including Rutgers center Cliff Omoruyi, USF wing Chris Youngblood, former Auburn five-star point guard Aden Holloway, and Pepperdine shooting guard Houston Mallette.
Derrion Reid, Labaron Philon, Aiden Sherrell, and Naas Cunningham are among Oats’ promising high school prospects.
“I’m very excited about the team we have coming in,” said Sears. “I’ll have to do a good job guiding these men on the proper path. “I am confident that we can win the national championship.”
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