3 Alabama Crimson Tide stars to watch out for in 2024-25 ft. Mark Sears after Nate Oats' team ranks No. 2 in preseason poll
The Alabama Crimson Tide had their deepest run in program history last season as they reached the Final Four for the first time after entering the year ranked No. 24 in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll. The Crimson Tide have received much more preseason love as they were ranked No. 2 in this year's preseason AP Top 25 Poll, which was released on Monday.
Alabama will begin its 2024-25 season in just three weeks. Here's a closer look at three players on the Crimson Tide that fans should keep an eye on next season.
3 Alabama Crimson Tide stars to watch out for in 2024-25
#1. Mark Sears
Mark Sears initially joined the Ohio Bobcats as a three-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class. He joined Alabama via the transfer portal ahead of the 2022-23 season. The one-time All-American has averaged 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field, 38.8% from 3-point range and 86.3% from the free throw line in his four-year collegiate career.
He averaged 21.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.6 spg and 0.1 bpg while shooting 50.8% from the field, 43.6% from 3-point range and 85.7% from the free throw line last season.
#2. Grant Nelson
Grant Nelson joined the North Dakota State Bison as an unranked prospect in the 2020 recruiting class. He joined the Crimson Tide via the transfer portal ahead of last season. He has averaged 12.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.4 apg, 0.5 spg and 1.4 bpg in 25.9 mpg while shooting 50.2% from the field, 29.6% from 3-point range and 75.6% from the free throw line during his four-year collegiate career.
In his first season with the Crimson Tide, he averaged 11.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 0.6 spg and 1.6 bpg while shooting 48.8% from the field, 27.3% from 3-point range and 81.3% from the free throw line.
#3. Chris Youngblood
Chris Youngblood initially joined the Kennesaw State Owls as a three-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class. He joined the South Florida Bulls via the transfer portal ahead of last season before joining Nate Oats' team via the transfer portal during the offseason.
The 2024 AAC Co-Player of the Year has averaged 14.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0.8 spg and 0.5 bpg while shooting 45.2% from the field, 39.4% from 3-point range and 82.1% from the free throw line.
He averaged 15.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.1 apg, 0.6 spg and 0.6 bpg while shooting 45.8% from the field, 41.6% from 3-point range and 82.9% from the free throw line last season.
How do you think Nate Oats' Alabama Crimson Tide will fare next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.