Steele Returning to Alabama

According to Andy Katz of ESPN.com, Alabama junior Ronald Steele has decided to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft and return to the Crimson Tide for his senior season. "Ron made a great a decision," head coach Mark Gottfried said. "He's a smart person, who evaluated this whole process and I believe that he will again be considered one of the premier point guards in the country next year and at the end of next year be a first-round pick.'' As of Friday afternoon, Steele was unsure about whether to return to Tuscaloosa, but he made up his mind Saturday morning after talking to his coaches. Steele was one of three Alabama players to enter their names in the NBA Draft without signing an agent. Alonzo Gee has already announced his return, while Richard Hendrix has yet to make a decision. Steele missed all of last season after undergoing knee surgery, and was bothered his junior year by nagging knee injuries. During his last injury-free campaign, which was his sophomore season in 2005-2006, Steele averaged 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.