Alabama Guard Mark Sears to Test NBA Draft Interest

Sears becomes Alabama's fifth player to enter his name into the draft since the season concluded.

© Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama basketball guard Mark Sears has decided to enter his name into the 2023 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility.

Sears announced his decision on his Twitter page:

Sears is the fifth Alabama player to enter the draft since the Crimson Tide's season came to a close. Freshmen Brandon Miller and Noah Clowney will remain in the draft and are likely first round picks, while Sears joined Jahvon Quinerly and Charles Bediako in leaving the option open to return to Alabama next season.

Sears, Quinerly and Bediako have until May 31 to decide whether or not to withdraw their name from the draft and return to college basketball.

A product of Muscle Shoals, Ala., Sears transferred back to his home state after spending his first two years of college basketball at Ohio. He was named first team All-MAC his second year with the Bobcats, and was one of the biggest names in the transfer portal last offseason.

This past season, Sears started every game for Alabama and his efforts earned him second team All-SEC honors. He was Alabama's second-leading scorer on the season with 12.5 points per game, and shot nearly 35 percent from beyond the arc.

As is becoming commonplace in college basketball in the transfer portal era, Alabama is already experiencing extensive roster turnover in this short offseason. Guards Nimari Burnett and Jaden Bradley announced their intentions to transfer, and the Crimson Tide picked up a commitment from Wichita State transfer Jaykwon Walton.

Depending on the draft decisions of its three players testing the waters, there may be even more turnover on the way.

See also:

Wofford Transfer BJ Mack Names Alabama Basketball in Top 5

Alabama Basketball Roster Tracker: 2023 Offseason