Update: The Last Dance — Jalin Stephenson and Mark Sears turn down NBA Draft, sign with Tide

update:

Tide forward Jalin Stevenson came in late and performed well, especially in the NCAA Tournament, but also chose to forgo the NBA draft and return to the Tide.

Alabama now has a realistic and deserved chance to capture the No. 1 preseason ranking.

Roll Tide!

Today was the deadline for players to withdraw from the NBA draft. There has been a lot of speculation about Alabama star point guard Mark Sears. Always mocked as a second-round pick, Sears continued to be evaluated right up until the starting gun for the final round. His final workout was just today with the Bucks.

He apparently didn't receive his first-round rating (and that sweet guaranteed contract) and made a decision: “Hey guys, let's go win a national title.”

We have written many times that Mark doesn't have much room for improvement in terms of height, but he can provide more consistent defense and better ball security.

The NBA has likely said the same to him, but reading between the lines, we can also expect him to build up some more muscle.

“I got good feedback from the NBA,” Sears told ESPN, “but there are still some areas I can improve on. I want to prove I can be a standout defensive player next season, continue to be a vocal leader and get in better shape. The National League has changed basketball, and NBA teams have told me age doesn't matter in today's game, so I felt comfortable coming back to bring a national championship home to Alabama.”

What this means for the Tide is almost immeasurable. After losing another ball-handler and adding a slew of freshmen (and sophomore Aiden Holloway), Alabama was meant to face a steep learning curve at the point position. That pressure is now lifted. Alabama also lost three of its top four perimeter shooters, so that pressure is gone. The best of them is returning. He averaged 21.5 points (44% from 3-point range), 4.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting nearly 52% from the field.

Jalin Stephenson's opt-out deadline is at midnight tonight, but he could (and probably won't) return if he goes undrafted on June 30. That still leaves Uvonna Onienzo, who opted out of the draft today and has made the Tide his top priority since leaving Kentucky. Sears' return will fill up a scholarship spot, making the roster math tricky (and god knows where the extra NIL money will come from).

But for Alabama, with or without those two, the end result is clear: This team has the deepest and most talented players in the country. They're primed to win a title. So let's get one.

Roll Tide