Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Mark Sears Withdraws from NBA Draft, Returning to Alabama Basketball
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In an unsurprising decision, Alabama guard Mark Sears has withdrawn from the NBA Draft and will return to the Crimson Tide for his senior season.
Sears was Alabama's second-best offensive player for much of last season behind projected top-3 pick Brandon Miller, and the Second Team All-SEC selection declared for the drafted while maintaining his college eligibility on April 8.
Sears and his teammate Charles Bediako were invited to the NBA G League Elite Camp on May 13-14 in Chicago, but neither received an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine.
With the departure of Miller, Sears is now likely to step into the role of a primary scorer for the Crimson Tide in 2023-24, a role he thrived in as a First Team All-MAC selection for Ohio in 2021-22.
Head coach Nate Oats and his newly-hired staff will be able to utilize Sears next to two backcourt additions from the transfer portal, Hofstra guard Aaron Estrada and Cal State Fullerton guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr.
Next season will be Sears' senior year, but he still has two years of eligibility remaining, due to an extra COVID year given to all student-athletes who played during the 2020-21 season.
Sears is the second of three Alabama players who tested the draft waters to announce his decision. Center Charles Bediako is remaining in the draft, while guard Jahvon Quinerly has yet to make his decision.
Almost guaranteed to step back into a starting role, Sears will look to lead next season's iteration of Alabama basketball as it defends its SEC title.
