In a seismic offseason move for college basketball, Alabama power guard Mark Sears and athletic forward Jarin Stevenson have officially withdrawn from the 2024 NBA Draft to return to the Crimson Tide for the 2024-25 season. The shocking announcement, confirmed late Wednesday by UA Athletics CEO Greg Byrne, instantly positions Alabama as the national title favorite heading into next season.
Sears, the 6‑foot‑1 senior guard from Muscle Shoals, led Alabama to its first-ever Final Four appearance this past March. Averaging 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, he earned First Team All‑SEC and consensus Second‑Team All‑American honors . Entering the NBA Draft with eligibility intact, Sears reported positive assessments from NBA teams—but ultimately determined that returning to Tuscaloosa offered a stronger pathway to both personal growth and a championship ring .
“I got good feedback from the NBA, but I can still get better, especially defensively,” Sears told ESPN. “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” .
Stevenson, the 6‑11 sophomore forward, also withdrew from the draft. He played a key role in Alabama’s NCAA Tournament run, most notably exploding for 19 points and five threes in an Elite Eight win over Clemson . With his length, versatility, and improvement from deep, Stevenson provides crucial frontcourt depth behind stars like Grant Nelson and recent transfer Clifford Omoruyi .
“I want to win a national championship,” Stevenson declared after the decision. “This team gives me my best shot.”
Alabama president and CEO Greg Byrne officially confirmed the pair’s return Wednesday, hailing it as a “transformative moment” for the program—a “windfall for recruiting, fan engagement, and our national visibility.” The pair’s presence is expected to galvanize donor interest and NIL partnerships, reinforcing Alabama basketball’s upward trajectory.
The news received immediate praise. Head coach Nate Oats, fresh off leading his team to the NCAA semifinals, stated bluntly: “We’re gonna try to win it all this year.” Oats praised Sears’ leadership and Stevenson’s untapped potential as catalysts for what he believes is a championship-caliber roster .
Analysts agree. Athlon Sports described Alabama’s updated lineup as “possibly the deepest under Oats,” with a backcourt led by Sears and strong rotational depth via adding Aden Holloway, Chris Youngblood, and Mo Dioubate . WHNT-TV echoed that sentiment, calling the decision finalizing the nation’s most talented roster .
Fan reaction has been electric. On Reddit, Tide supporters erupted:
> “This is legitimately gonna be the most stacked roster in program history. Roll Tide, fellas!”
and
> “Bro we are insanely stacked. Legit two (or three) deep at every position.”
The timeline is now set. With both players formally back in Tuscaloosa, Alabama will assemble its full roster over the coming months, including other key returners and high‑profile transfers.
All eyes now turn to Coleman Coliseum next November—when the duo, flanked by a top‑10 recruiting class and powerhouse transfers, will lead a Crimson Tide squad widely considered a pre‑season No. 1 contender. National observers will watch closely to see if the hype translates into championship hardware.
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Key Takeaways:
Mark Sears returns as the Tide’s dynamic lead guard after a 21.5 PPG All‑American season .
Jarin Stevenson, a sharpshooting big, also back, adds critical depth and length .
UA CEO Greg Byrne confirmed both decisions, calling it “transformative” for the program.
Head coach Nate Oats officially has “one of the deepest, most capable rosters in the country” .
Alabama’s run for its first-ever men’s basketball national championship is underway—with its brightest stars back under one roof.
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