Alabama Basketball: Crimson Tide Roster Strengthens with Mark Sears’ Return
The Alabama Crimson Tide is gaining momentum, and it’s not on the football field. On Wednesday evening, star guard Mark Sears announced he would withdraw from the 2024 NBA Draft and return to Alabama for his fifth and final year of college eligibility.
Sears’ surprising return transforms the Crimson Tide into one of the nation’s most talented teams. Head coach Nate Oats is making significant moves, demonstrated by strategic additions through the transfer portal. This off-season, Alabama secured two of the highest-rated portal targets, Aden Holloway and Clifford Omoruyi, along with Chris Youngblood and Houston Mallette.
Holloway, formerly Auburn’s starting point guard, will now join forces with veteran Mark Sears in the backcourt. Sears, who averaged 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists last season, played a crucial role in leading Alabama to the Final Four. Other key returnees include Grant Nelson, Jarin Stevenson, Latrell Wrightsell Jr., and Mo Dioubate.
Oats potentially has the deepest team in the nation, making his minute distribution strategies highly anticipated. Youngblood led South Florida to an impressive season, while Omoruyi was a standout for Rutgers, averaging 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game.
Additionally, Alabama will welcome one of the highest-ranked freshman classes in 2024, as per On3.com. The team landed five-star recruit Derrion Reid and four-star recruits Aidan Sherrell, Labaron Philon, and Naas Cunningham.
Now is an exceptional time to be an Alabama Crimson Tide basketball fan. The team could rank in the top three nationally at the start of the season and boasts a roster with potentially unmatched talent as they aim for another Final Four appearance and a shot at the National Championship.
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