Mark Sears Named a Wooden Award Finalist
Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears was named one of 15 finalists for the Wooden Award on Saturday. The honor is given to the best college basketball player in the country.
The senior had a big responsibility entering the 2023-24 season. Sears was the only starter returning from last season's Crimson Tide basketball team that won a double SEC championship. Sears took on the responsibility of integrating eight new scholarship players and has led the Crimson Tide to a strong season.
Sears leads not only the Tide in scoring, but his 21.1 points per game is also the most in the entire SEC. Sears has helped lead Alabama to a 21-10 regular season record and a No. 16 rank in the AP Poll, lining up to claim a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Alabama earned its 21st victory on Saturday after a thrilling comeback over Arkansas by a score of 92-88 in overtime. Sears tallied a team-high 22 points and his six assists only trailed fellow guard Aaron Estrada for the Tide's most.
Nevertheless, this isn't Sears' first nomination for an annual award as on March 4, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced he is one of five finalists for the 2024 Bob Cousy Award, given to the nation's best collegiate point guard.
Wooden Award Finalists
- Johni Broome, Auburn
- RJ Davis, North Carolina
- Hunter Dickinson, Kansas
- Zach Edey, Purdue
- Kyle Filipowski, Duke
- DaRon Holmes II, Dayton
- Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
- Tyler Kolek, Marquette
- Jaedon LeDee, San Diego State
- Caleb Love, Arizona
- Kevin McCullar Jr., Kansas
- Tristen Newton, UConn
- Antonio Reeves, Kentucky
- Mark Sears, Alabama
- Jamal Shead, Houston
