Alabama is mostly known as a college football powerhouse, but this past season, its men’s basketball program made a nice run.
After reaching the Final Four in 2024, it got to the Elite Eight just weeks ago, where it lost by 20 points to Duke, a team that many picked to go all the way.
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Guards Mark Sears and Labaron Philon and forward Grant Nelson helped make that run to the Elite Eight possible. All three men have made themselves eligible for this summer’s NBA draft, and they have therefore been invited to participate in the NBA draft combine in May.
Sears led the Crimson Tide in scoring this past season by averaging 18.6 points a game while adding 5.1 assists a game. His shooting percentages fell considerably compared to the 2023-24 season, but he did score 34 points while going 10-of-16 from 3-point range in their 113-88 victory over Brigham Young in the Sweet Sixteen round.
He has great ball-handling skills and can hit shots off the bounce, and although he’s just 6-foot-1, he gives a great effort on the defensive end.
Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears (1) works against Mississippi Rebels guard Dre Davis (14).Will McLelland-Imagn Images
He could end up going somewhere in the second round of the draft.
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Meanwhile, Philon averaged 10.6 points, 3.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 24.7 minutes a game, while Nelson put up 11.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game this past season.
This was the fifth straight season the Crimson Tide made it to the men’s NCAA Tournament. The school has never won a national championship in basketball.
Related: Duke’s Khaman Maluach Reacts to Major Recruiting News on Friday
