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Mark Sears was the best player on the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2023-24, leading the team to their first ever Final Four appearance. The senior guard declared for the 2024 NBA Draft while also maintaining his collegiate eligibility. On3 Sports shared the news, tweeting:
"NEWS: Alabama star guard Mark Sears has declared for the NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility, he announced 👀"
Check out the tweet from On3 Sports below:
Fans had plenty of reactions to the news of the second-team All-American declaring for the draft.
One fan suggested that Nate Oats should have accepted the Kentucky Wildcats job:
"Oats said no to Kentucky for this 😭"
Another fan predicted that Sears will be back with the Crimson Tide:
"He’s coming back"
One user believes that Sears made a smart choice:
"Smart decision young man ."
Another fan had a different opinion, suggesting that he wouldn't hear his name called:
"He’s not getting drafted"
Another fan believes that he will be a good NBA player:
"Smart decision young man (Low key he'll probably be pretty good in the NBA)"
One user does not think Sears is NBA ready:
"Bro needs to stay in college"
What did Mark Sears say about declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft?
Mark Sears released a statement on social media on Wednesday, announcing that he would enter the 2024 NBA Draft. The second-team All-American stated:
"I would like to thank God for blessing me with an amazing gift that has allowed me to play the game that I love, basketball. His blessing has provided innumerable opportunities and I am truly appreciative of God's blessings, lessons, and provisions along the way. After much consideration and deliberation, I have decided to declare for the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility."
Check out Mark Sears' announcement below:
While he has played four years of college basketball, Sears has a fifth-year of eligibility remaining due to NCAA rules, which granted an additional year of eligibility to athletes who played during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He averaged 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.1 blocks per game while shooting 50.8% from the field, 43.6% from three-point range and 85.7% from the free-throw line last season.
