Alabama Basketball roster status and latest NBA news

After the NBA initially announced 195 players had applied for early entry to the NBA Draft, a few more names were released. The number will fluctuate as some having applied will decide to return to college. One of the latest, early entry names was Kentucky's Ugonna Oyenso. The freshman center is very much on Nate Oats' shortlist for a move from the Wildcats to the Crimson Tide.

More important is the list released for the NBA Combine scheduled for May 12-19 in Chicago. Currently, 78 players have been invited to the Combine. Another six to eight will likely be added from the group invited to the G League Elite Camp for scrimmages on May 11 and May 12.

Alabama players will be in both activities, with Mark Sears at the Combine and Jarin Stevenson at the Elite Camp.

College players have until May 29 to withdraw from the NBA Draft and maintain their college eligibility.

Assuming the Combine list grows to around 82 players, under 50% have a good chance of being drafted high enough to gain an NBA guaranteed contract. All 30 of the first-round contracts are guaranteed. It is anticipated the first eight to ten, second-round selections will also be offered guaranteed contracts.

No NBA expert is predicting Jarin Stevenson will be drafted this year. Mark Sears has a good chance to be drafted. If Sears is projected in the top 36-40 of the draft's 58 selections, he should end his college career. If not, Alabama basketball insiders are confident Sears will return to the Crimson Tide.

SEC players invited to NBA Combine

• Alabama Crimson Tide - Mark Sears

• Arkansas Razorbacks - Trevon Brazile

• Tennessee Vols - Dalton Knecht

• Kentucky Wildcats - Antonio Reeves, Justin Edwards, Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard

SEC players invited to G League Elite Camp

• Ole Miss Rebels - Allen Flanigan and Matthew Murrell

• Missouri Tigers - Sean East II

• Florida Gators - Walter Clayton

• Kentucky Wildcats - Ugonna Onyenso

• Alabama Crimson Tide - Jarin Stevenson

Some Crimson Tide fans have defined Stevenson's early entry decision as folly. Instead, while he has little chance of being drafted, he will gain valuable feedback on the areas of his game that need improvement.