Steele Returning, Hendrix Leaving

A few hours before the 5 p.m. EDT deadline for underclassmen in the NBA draft pool to withdraw, published reports on FoxSports.com had Alabama retaining one star player, losing another. It may be that both made the correct decision.

Alabama basketball will reportedly get Ron Steele back for his final season of eligibility, while Richard Hendrix has elected to depart in hopes of a professional career beginning this season.

Steele, a point guard from Birmingham, was a pre-season All-America selection before knee injuries undercut his 2006-07 season. Prior to the start of last season, Steele asked Crimson Tide Coach Mark Gottfried to hold Steele out, a redshirt.

Steele's request came at an awkward time, after classes had begun last fall and after any chance Gottfried might have to add a player to take up the slack.

It is generally agreed that Steele's injury caused back-to-back sub-par seasons for Bama. Had Steele not returned, that could have sabotaged the 2008-09 campaign.

Reports from the NBA camps in which players were evaluated were that Steele showed the rust of inactivity. There had been a story late in the NBA evaluation period that Steele had told Gottfried he was going to return. That report was almost immediately refuted by Steele's father, who announced his oldest son would continue in the process.

Ron Steele's brother, Andrew, will be a freshman with the Tide this year, marking the first time the brothers have been on the same team.

Hendrix was an All-Southeastern Conference performer last year, the only player in the league to average double figures in both scoring and rebounding. He just completed his junior season and had another year of eligibility.

Both Hendrix and Steele have already earned degrees from The University.

Reports from NBA camps on Hendrix was that he was consistent, though lacking in size to play inside and that he did not run the court well. He was, however, given good marks for his athleticism and his ability to score in close to the basket.

It appeared that Hendrix's father also had much influence on his son's quest for the NBA. Venard Hendrix was quoted by FoxSports.com as saying, "He put his name in to stay in the draft, and that's what he's doing. He's staying in."

Hendrix, who was measured by the NBA at a shade over 6-6, averaged 17.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game as a junior.

Hendrix is considered a potential late first-round pick, possibly a second round selection.

There is a school of thought that both players made the correct decision. Steele can help himself a great deal with a solid, injury free senior season at point guard. When healthy, he was outstanding.

Hendrix is not going to get taller or faster at Alabama and there is no reason to believe he would improve his shot facing the basket (where he'll have to play at the pro level) or his atrocious free throw shooting.

Some have tried to play the "loyalty" card (or criticize those who do). Generally speaking, loyalty has nothing to do with it. The NCAA took the first step in eliminating that quality when it changed scholarships from "four-year" to "one-year, renewable."

Perhaps Steele owed Bama another year because of his unusual redshirt season in 2007-08.