Jarin Stevenson will also rejoin Alabama basketball as hype grows for 2024-25 roster
Alabama basketball received another boost to its roster on Wednesday night.
Jarin Stevenson, a promising freshman forward who was testing the NBA Draft waters, opted to return to Tuscaloosa. He’ll rejoin Mark Sears and the rest of the Crimson Tide coming off the school’s first-ever trip to the Final Four. While the decisions of Stevenson and Sear will end a run of first-round picks produced by head coach Nate Oats, they likely cement UA as a preseason No. 1 and national title contender.
Stevenson, a four-star from North Carolina, earned more playing time as the regular season continued. He appeared in 37 total games averaging 16.6 minutes, 5.3 points, 2.6 rebounds. Stevenson also made five starts, shooting 42.1% overall and 31.7% from 3-point range.
His best showing arguably came in the Elite Eight as Stevenson took his turn to play Alabama hero in the NCAA Tournament. Stevenson scored a season-high 19 points against the Tigers with two blocks, three rebounds and five 3-pointers. Stevenson will compete to fill in full-time in UA’s starting lineup alongside Sears, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Grant Nelson.
Sears and Stevenson’s retentions likely finish a dream offseason for Oats and co. The Tide kept a bulk of its scoring and found exciting depth offerings via the portal like Auburn transfer Aden Holloway or UCF’s Chris Youngblood. Alabama’s forward depth will include Stevenson, Nelson, Clifford Omoruyi, Aiden Sherrell, Mo Dioubate and Derrion Reid.
