Alabama basketball forward Jarin Stevenson was NBA bound after a historic Final Four run with the Crimson Tide in the spring.
The sophomore is still destined for the next level, but Stevenson explained during the first media availability of the 2024-25 season exactly why he decided to forgo his plans of declaring for the NBA draft .
"I saw that we had a good team here at Alabama," he said.
And, of course, the "chance" at the program's first national championship.
Crowded in Coleman: Alabama basketball sells out first four home games, season tickets
Wild ride ahead for Tide: Multiple road games already sold out for Alabama basketball
"It's always been a goal for me," Stevenson said.
Fellow teammate and SEC Preseason Player of the Year Mark Sears saw the same in Alabama, opting out of the Draft with Stevenson in May.
Stevenson, a native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, said he feels like he can "still get a lot better" in Tuscaloosa, complimenting head coach Nate Oats and assistant Ryan Pannone.
The son of North Carolina former women's basketball player Nicole (Walker) Stevenson and Richmond alum Jarod Stevenson, who played professionally for over a decade, Stevenson learned a lot about the game growing up from his parents.
"I feel like just going through another year here, I can learn a lot and become stronger and different things like that," Stevenson said.
As a freshman, he averaged 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game in 37 games with six double-doubles, notching five starts during conference play.
Stevenson shined brightest in Alabama's Elite Eight win over Clemson with a season-high 19 points, highlighted by a season-best five 3-pointers.
The 6-foot-11, 215-pounder is expecting that much more work now that he's opted to stay at Alabama, knowing it'll help him to his next destination.
Stevenson has already gotten the minutes in the preseason. He had 11 points, three rebounds and two blocks against Memphis on Monday. In Alabama's first preseason exhibition against Wake Forest, Stevenson made the starting rotation and posted 10 points, six rebounds and a block in 25 minutes.
However, a five-star rating out of high school at Seaforth and accolades like 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year for the Tar Heel State suggest he'll continue to grow to handle a bigger load.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball's Jarin Stevenson explains opting out of NBA Draft
