Mark Sears, Grant Nelson named to Naismith Trophy watch list

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama men’s basketball duo Grant Nelson and Mark Sears have been named to the Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Wednesday.

A total of 50 players were named to the Naismith Trophy Watch List and the Crimson Tide were one of eight schools to have multiple players from its team make the list.

Mark Sears Notes

Sears is one of six players in the SEC named to the 2025 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Watch List.

Named the Southeastern Conference Preseason Player of the Year while earning a Preseason All-SEC First Team selection.

Averaged a team-best 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game last season.

Named the 2024 NCAA Tournament West Region Most Outstanding Player after leading UA to the Final Four where he averaged 24.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

Set the program record for most points scored in a single season with 797 points while shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from three-point range.

Became the first Division I player in the last 31 seasons to record 795 points, 150 rebounds, 145 assists and 95 three-pointers in a single season.

Grant Nelson Notes

Earned Preseason Second Team All-SEC honors

Named to the 2024 NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team

Averaged 11.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 blocks per game last season

Led UA in rebounds (217) and ranked No. 15 in the SEC in rebounds per game

Posted a team-best 60 blocks last season, which ranked fourth in the SEC

Became the first player since Kevin Love (UCLA) in 2008 and first SEC player since Joakim Noah (Florida) in 2006 to record 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4-plus blocks in a Sweet 16 game or later with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocks in Alabama’s Sweet 16 win over North Carolina

Scored double-figures in 22 games, including a season-high 24 points on March 28 vs. North Carolina and in the season opener against Morehead State on Nov. 6

***This information was acquired in a recent press release from Alabama Athletics

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