Alabama basketball fans were eager to see Mark Sears take the floor again in what was expected to be his NBA Summer League debut, but instead only caught glimpses of the point guard out of uniform and seated on the bench Thursday.
Sears, who signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks following the 2025 NBA Draft, sat out the game against the Denver Nuggets due to injury, according to team representatives.
Advertisement
Bucks beat reporter Eric Nehm of The Athletic reported that the team’s public relations staff informed him that Sears was benched with a left calf strain.
BAMA BOYS IN THE NBA: Alabama basketball former Chris Youngblood gets starting nod for OKC in NBA Summer League
REQUIRED READING: How much is Alabama basketball paying Yale for nonconference clash? When is the game?
Alabama basketball former Mark Sears misses first day of NBA Summer League
Although Sears didn’t log any minutes on opening day of Summer League competition, his Elite Eight teammates Chris Youngblood and Grant Nelson faced off earlier in the evening with Youngblood emerging as a bright spot for the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Brooklyn Nets.
Advertisement
Milwaukee’s next game is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The matchup is set to begin at at 2:30 p.m. CT on NBA TV.
Feb 1, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) is congratulated as he leaves the floor near the end of the game at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama downed Georgia 90-69. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
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: Injury bars Alabama basketball former Mark Sears from NBA Summer League debut