The NBA Draft withdrawal deadline set by the NCAA has passed. Two weeks after ruling out a possible return to Tuscaloosa, Labaron Philon surprisingly left the draft and rejoined the Crimson Tide, which was fantastic news for Alabama.
In addition to being excellent for Alabama basketball going ahead, Philon’s choice might also be good for his old teammate.
Mark Sears has a better chance of being selected on draft night next month if players like Philon and Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford withdraw at the last minute.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony updated his Top 100 Big Board for the 2025 NBA Draft after the withdrawal deadline. Three members of the Crimson Tide were among them.
Sears is currently the #1 Alabama player on his board. Givony claims that Sears is drafted with the 63rd overall pick. He is therefore completely out of the draft range. Unfortunately, this year’s selection is one less than normal for Sears and other fringe talents.
Because they tampered with Jalen Brunson in free agency, the New York Knicks had to surrender their second-round choice in this year’s draft. As a result, just 59 players will be chosen, as opposed to the customary 60.
Some were enlightened by Sears’ three-point shooting at the NBA Combine activities. He was Chicago’s top shooter. His size is still a criticism, and his performance against larger guards on the game tape from the previous season won’t help him.
Nevertheless, teams in the latter half of the second round might be enticed to take a chance on him due to his output and three-point shooting prowess. In any case, he’ll most likely get a chance in the NBA’s G-League.
Givony’s Big Board also ranks Cliff Omoruyi and Grant Nelson.
Grant Nelson, who checks in at No. 65, is right behind Sears. Nelson is now a marginal draft pick, right on par with his teammate. Nelson opened some eyes at the Combine, much like Sears did. In the Shuttle Drill, he set a new record.
Nelson’s small stature is a disadvantage since it will be difficult for him to play minutes at the five in the NBA. He is probably more of a PF now, but he isn’t a skilled enough shooter to be a stretch-four in the present era.
However, he has fascinating qualities like enthusiasm, effort, and athleticism that could help him be taken late in the second round. Nelson ought to be given a chance in the G-League, just like Sears.
At No. 73 overall, Alabama’s Clifford Omoruyi completes the list. Omoruyi was unable to demonstrate his abilities against other prospects because he was not invited to the Combine.
Despite not making the kind of impact Nate Oats and company had planned for at Alabama, he was still a productive player and one of the Crimson Tide’s best leverage players. He simply lacks the athleticism that many had anticipated, which will probably prevent him from developing the energetic, athletic back-up five that he would need to have in order to be considered for an NBA spot.
The three will try to end Alabama’s one-year NBA Draft exclusion. After two players (Brandon Miller and Noah Clowney) were taken in the 2023 first round, the Tide did not have a player selected the previous year.
