Alabama’s Mark Sears and North Carolina’s RJ Davis recently contemplated entering the NBA draft, but ultimately chose to return for another year of college basketball. Their decisions have had a positive impact, helping both teams secure spots in the top ten of the AP Top 25 rankings, and also earning the players significant recognition ahead of the season.
Sears garnered nearly unanimous support for the AP preseason All-America men’s basketball team, receiving 54 out of 55 votes from a panel of national media members. Davis followed closely with 51 votes. The prestigious group also includes Kansas center Hunter Dickinson, Auburn’s Johni Broome, Arizona’s Caleb Love, and Duke’s promising freshman, Cooper Flagg, who, notably, share accolades predominantly from the ACC, Big 12, and SEC conferences.
Notably, Sears played a pivotal role in leading the Crimson Tide to their first-ever Final Four appearance last season, contributing to one of the most prolific offenses in college basketball. The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists last year, making history as the first Division I player in three decades to achieve at least 795 points, 150 rebounds, 145 assists, and 95 three-pointers in a single season. His decision to return has positioned Alabama at No. 2 in the preseason AP Top 25 rankings. “I saw the team we had and I wanted to be a part of it, to bring home Alabama’s first national championship in basketball,” Sears stated.
Over at Auburn, Broome swiftly determined his path, choosing to return for a fifth season. Standing at 6-foot-10, Broome was recognized as a third-team AP All-American last season with averages of 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds, shooting nearly 55% from the field. He has focused on improving his perimeter shooting in hopes of making a mark in the NBA. His return further strengthens Auburn’s position, earning a No. 11 preseason ranking. “My main goal is a team goal, which is to win the national championship, to advance as far as I can during March Madness,” Broome emphasized.
Meanwhile, RJ Davis aims to build upon his success from last season after choosing to return for a fifth year at North Carolina. The 6-foot guard, an AP All-American and ACC player of the year, averaged 21.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while helping his team to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. This season, he is on course to break former Tar Heel Tyler Hansbrough’s all-time ACC scoring record. “I know there’s more work to be done,” Davis shared. “I know my jersey’s not going up until I leave.”
Across town at Duke, Cooper Flagg, who comes with considerable expectations, is the lone underclassman on the preseason All-America roster. The 6-foot-9 swingman, rated as the top high school recruit from Newport, Maine, has been touted for his potential as the No. 1 overall pick in a future NBA draft. Known for his versatility, Flagg can play both guard and forward positions and has put in significant effort to refine his perimeter shooting, making him a standout player in a strong recruiting class that positions Duke at No. 7, eyeing a deep postseason run.
In the Big 12, Kansas made headlines last spring by securing 7-foot-2 center Hunter Dickinson through the transfer portal from Michigan. Dickinson quickly lived up to the expectations, averaging 17.9 points and 10.9 rebounds, leading the Jayhawks back to the NCAA Tournament. With his presence alongside an influx of talented transfers, Kansas holds the No. 1 ranking as the season approaches. Arizona’s Caleb Love, after a successful first season following his transfer from North Carolina, opted to return for a second year, raising expectations within the program. Last season, the athletic 6-foot-4 guard was named the Pac-12 player of the year after posting averages of 18 points per game. “He’s had a very successful college career thus far,” praised Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd, encouraging Love to leverage this extra year to improve further.
As the new season unfolds, basketball enthusiasts can look forward to a thrilling showcase of talent and competitiveness, especially with so many elite players choosing to return to college hoops.