NCAA Basketball: Top 10 players to wear jersey No. 1 in 2023-24 season

2. Mark Sears (Alabama)

Let’s quickly paint a picture on Sears’ swift journey through college basketball. He spent his underclassman years at Ohio, becoming one of the MAC’s best players by the end of his sophomore season. He’d then transfer to Alabama and became a key backcourt weapon for the Crimson Tide. The Alabama native had his role greatly expanded after Brandon Miller’s departure and took advantage of that opportunity in style.

Sears averaged 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in a senior season full of success and prosperity. He shot 44% from 3, 86% from the charity stripe, and earned all sorts of accolades, including Second Team All-American. Just two people scored more points in the nation than Sears this season, with his greatest achievement lying in that Final Four run with the Crimson Tide this past March.

Sears notably scored 35 points in a tough loss to Purdue back in December and later dropped 31 on a talented South Carolina team during SEC play. He played a significant role during Alabama’s run to the Final Four, averaging more than 24 points in their five Tournament games. Sears played consistent basketball throughout the entire back half of the season and was the catalyst for that historic run for the Crimson Tide. This was certainly quite the development for the former MAC guard.