Wednesday marked the passing of the significant deadline for college basketball players considering the 2025 NBA draft. By 11:59 p.m. ET, athletes had to finalize their decision on whether to remain eligible for the draft or withdraw their names to return to their respective schools. This date represents a key milestone in both the NBA draft process and the college basketball offseason.
Some prospects confirmed their intentions to stay in the draft earlier in the month, such as Carter Bryant from Arizona, Drake Powell from North Carolina, and Thomas Sorber from Georgetown. Conversely, others like Boogie Fland from Florida and Darrion Williams from NC State announced their withdrawal from consideration.
This left approximately 15 notable players with pending decisions. These prospects weighed feedback from the draft combine, agency pro days, and their final workouts with NBA teams, with some making their choices right up to Wednesday night`s cut-off.
Once the deadline passed, the landscape for both the upcoming June 25-26 draft and the 2025-26 college basketball season became much clearer. Which universities saw the biggest boost from players returning? Which athletes are poised to significantly improve their standing on future NBA draft boards? Could Florida potentially secure consecutive national championships?
ESPN`s college basketball analyst Jeff Borzello, alongside NBA draft experts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, offer their insights on the major talking points following the deadline.
The Influence of NIL on the NBA Draft Landscape
Givony: We observed not only the fewest early-entrant candidates in a decade (106), but also around a dozen additional draftable prospects withdrawing by the deadline. This has resulted in one of the least deep second rounds seen in several years.
NBA teams have voiced surprise and concern regarding this trend, questioning how effectively they can assemble summer league and G League rosters compared to prior years. However, most believe this is a temporary situation, likely caused by the substantial financial opportunities available through NIL, which should stabilize over the next year or two as players who returned exhaust their college eligibility.
Ultimately, this could lead to future rookie classes being older and potentially more prepared for professional play. These athletes might also possess increased recognition among casual fans who have had more time to follow prominent college basketball figures.
NBA teams also recognize the need to adapt their evaluation methods for older prospects. Previously, players coming off strong seasons but staying multiple years were often viewed less favorably than younger talents. Yet, the level of competition in college has never been higher, with programs recruiting top international players and experienced athletes increasingly staying longer, often with leading teams in major conferences.
A player spending three or four years in college until age 22 or 23 might no longer be viewed negatively as it was in the past. Analytics departments within NBA organizations are working to determine how to adjust their draft models to reflect this new reality, which differs significantly from the data patterns of the last one or two decades. Yaxel Lendeborg, who withdrew and committed to Michigan, will serve as a prime example, as 22-year-old players projected for the first round haven`t typically returned to college.
While the anticipated top-five selections for the 2026 draft are collectively considered exceptionally talented, the current high school senior class (future 2025-26 freshmen) appears relatively weaker. This might contribute to one of the oldest first rounds seen in some time next year.
Borzello: The situation for college athletes hoping for an NBA career (or those playing overseas) has fundamentally shifted. The possibility of being a second-round pick used to be enough incentive for players to keep their names in the draft. However, with the potential to earn millions through NIL, there`s a growing tendency for players to return to college.
Even some players projected as first-rounders are choosing to stay in school, securing NIL deals potentially worth up to $3 million, hoping to solidify stronger commitments from NBA teams a year later.
A prospect`s decision is no longer simply a choice between hoping their draft stock translates to NBA money versus playing collegiately without pay while developing. Given that the rookie scale salaries for the final picks of this year`s first round are below $3 million annually for the initial two seasons, players in that projection range can now earn comparable amounts by opting to remain in college, theoretically enhancing their draft position in the process.
As Givony mentioned, players staying in college for three or four years until age 22 is no longer a major deterrent for NBA teams. This change is a result of both NIL and the transfer portal. Danny Wolf, for instance, developed into a likely first-round prospect after transferring from Yale to Michigan. Nique Clifford wasn`t on the NBA draft radar until his transfer from Colorado to Colorado State, while Walter Clayton Jr.`s standing improved after moving from Iona to Florida. Both withdrew from the draft last year and are now projected as potential first-rounders.
Which College Basketball Team Gained the Most from the Withdrawal Deadline?
Borzello: Florida was one significant winner. Other programs certainly benefited, including Houston with Milos Uzan, Michigan with Lendeborg, Auburn with Tahaad Pettiford, and Kentucky with Otega Oweh. However, the Gators transitioned from a borderline top-20 team to a genuine contender, potentially opening the season ranked No. 1 with a real prospect of winning back-to-back championships.
Florida benefited from Boogie Fland`s withdrawal; the Arkansas transfer eventually committed to the Gators a week after his decision. Additionally, Alex Condon, considered a fringe first-round candidate, also withdrew to return to Gainesville. With both players now officially part of the roster, Coach Todd Golden boasts one of the strongest starting fives in college basketball.
Alabama also emerged as a surprise winner, with Labaron Philon announcing his return to Tuscaloosa shortly before the deadline. Philon had stated at the combine that returning to Bama was not an option, but his second-round projection and the chance for an expanded role as a sophomore make this a logical choice.
This provides a significant boost for Coach Nate Oats` team, which had been seeking an explosive guard playmaker.
With Fland Joining and Condon Returning, How Well Positioned Are the Gators to Defend Their Title?
Borzello: As mentioned, Florida elevates into the preseason No. 1 discussion because of these decisions. Their roster composition is different from last year, which featured more clearly defined roles and arguably better overall balance and depth. However, Golden now has two dynamic shot creators and makers in the backcourt with Fland and Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee. Their frontcourt is among the nation`s best, featuring 6-11 Condon, 6-9 Thomas Haugh, 6-10 Rueben Chinyelu, and 7-1 Micah Handlogten expected to play the majority of minutes.
They will need time to figure out how all the pieces fit together, but there is considerably more optimism in Gainesville about a potential repeat championship than there was earlier this offseason.
Givony: They are indeed well-equipped to defend their title, possessing likely the strongest frontcourt in college basketball. There is also ample shooting talent in the backcourt with Fland, Lee, Ohio transfer AJ Brown, and Urban Klavzar, who should take on a more significant role in his second year at Gainesville. Establishing the shot-creation hierarchy between Lee and Fland will be crucial, and there are some unknowns on the wing positions, but the foundational elements for a Final Four contender are present.
While I would still place Purdue at No. 1 on my preseason list due to the certainty of returning two preseason All-Americans in Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn, differing opinions are certainly valid here.
Woo: Guard play is always a critical factor in March Madness success, placing significant importance on Boogie Fland`s performance as the anticipated primary ball-handler. If he can build upon what he demonstrated in his single season at Arkansas, both Florida and Fland should find this partnership highly beneficial.
Which College Basketball Team Was Most Affected by Prospects Remaining in the Draft?
Borzello: Penn State. Although Yanic Konan Niederhauser`s leaning towards staying in the draft had been apparent since the combine, it is still a blow for Coach Mike Rhoades and the Nittany Lions to see him commit to the draft.
After a relatively quiet career at Northern Illinois, where he averaged 5.1 points over two seasons, Penn State acquired Niederhauser via the transfer portal last spring. The Nittany Lions successfully kept him from re-entering the portal earlier this spring and made a competitive offer to retain him. However, the Swiss player`s draft stock, currently projected as a borderline first-round pick, is unlikely to be higher than it is now.
It`s also worth noting the impact on several programs due to RJ Luis Jr. and Jamir Watkins, the two most sought-after available transfers, choosing to stay in the draft. With these two players out of the transfer mix, there are very limited options remaining for well-funded schools in need of immediate impact players.
The Transfer Portal Greatly Assisted This Draft Prospect Because…
Givony: Two years ago, Yanic Konan Niederhauser concluded his freshman season averaging just 2.2 points in eight minutes per game for Northern Illinois. Today, he is on the verge of becoming a first-round pick following a strong junior year at Penn State and exceptional performances at the G League Elite Camp and the combine. At the combine, he measured and tested as one of the top athletes available, showcasing a range of highlight-worthy plays that captured the attention of NBA scouts.
The 7-footer is clearly on a sharply upward trajectory, evidenced by his consistent improvement over the past three seasons and his explosive showing in Chicago. This ascent likely wouldn`t have been possible without moving from the relative obscurity of the MAC conference to the intense environment of the Big Ten, where he was pushed to elevate his intensity and utilize his remarkable physical attributes more effectively.
Woo: At the start of the season, Danny Wolf was more of an intriguing prospect to NBA scouts rather than a confirmed draft candidate based on his solid year at Yale. This perception quickly changed as he demonstrated his skills translated well against high-level competition and settled in at Michigan. There, he played under Dusty May, a creative coach committed to leveraging Wolf`s versatility and playmaking abilities.
The fact that Wolf occasionally functioned as a de facto point guard—a role he might not have been given at another institution—added another layer of interest to his profile.
Which Prospect Who Returned to School Has the Best Opportunity to Climb in the 2026 NBA Draft?
Givony: Several NBA teams expressed strong interest in evaluating Joseph Tugler more closely during the pre-draft process. However, he ultimately decided not to declare, announcing his return to Houston nine days after his season ended with a national championship game loss to Florida.
At 20 years old, he is the second-youngest recipient of the Lefty Driesell Award for college basketball`s best defensive player, trailing only Anthony Davis in 2012. He is also the youngest player since the award`s inception in 2006 to be named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. With his 7-6 wingspan, incredible motor, natural shot-blocking instincts, and capability to defend effectively on the perimeter, Tugler has the potential to be a defensive game-changer at the NBA level.
If he can manage to reduce his fouling (he led all draft prospects in fouls per minute last season) and slightly improve his offensive game (with a 54% free throw percentage), he could build a compelling case for being a first-round pick next season.
Woo: I`m interested to see how Tahaad Pettiford performs with an increased role at Auburn following his positive showing at the combine. While his size (6-foot-1, 175 pounds) might limit his draft projection somewhat, I was impressed by the combination of athleticism and skill he displayed in scrimmages. I`m keen to observe his development over the next twelve months. His explosive athleticism and ability to quickly generate points will help his case as a potential standout player despite his physical measurements.
Beyond the expected increase in offensive usage, the most significant thing Pettiford can do next season is demonstrate his ability to contribute positively even when his shot isn`t falling. Part of this involves expanding his game as a passer and creator for his teammates, and becoming a more consistently impactful defender. Pettiford will likely remain primarily a scorer, but if he can become more efficient while maximizing his abilities in other areas, he will strengthen his argument for being a first-rounder, which is where he is projected to start next season. Returning to school to focus on these aspects should prove to be a beneficial decision.
Who is an Under-the-Radar Prospect Who Returned to School and Could Emerge as a First-Round Pick in 2026?
Givony: Bennett Stirtz, a 6-foot-4 point guard who played for Drake last season, was one of the breakout performers of the NCAA tournament. He scored 42 points and dished out 12 assists across two strong games against Missouri and Texas, proving his game translates against elite competition after a dominant season in the Horizon League. Stirtz was ranked No. 35 on ESPN`s Top 100 list when he announced his entry into the transfer portal to follow his coach, Ben McCollum, from Drake to Iowa, bypassing the NBA draft evaluation process entirely.
NBA scouts will appreciate having a full season to evaluate Stirtz in the Big Ten conference. This will provide a clearer picture of how his impressive ball-handling, ability to change pace, touch, and creativity around the basket translate over a full season. Stirtz is a dynamic perimeter shooter and one of college basketball`s best passers and decision-makers. However, getting a better sense of his defensive impact and how he handles opponents planning specifically against him on a nightly basis will be key indicators of how high he might be selected next June.
Woo: Zuby Ejiofor didn`t capture widespread national attention this past season, but the big man made significant strides at St. John`s. He earned a spot on the All-Big East First Team and was also recognized as the conference`s most improved player. Although his team`s season concluded in the second round of the NCAA tournament, Ejiofor`s performance against Arkansas, where he posted 23 points and 12 rebounds, left a positive impression. It showcased his physicality and high motor in the paint. Despite being somewhat undersized for a traditional center, Ejiofor`s overall contribution to the game makes him an interesting candidate for a role player at the next level.
Ejiofor`s tenacious, all-out style consistently raises his team`s performance floor. The fact that he recently turned 21 works in his favor heading into his senior year. Continuing to work on his physical conditioning, improving his mobility, and refining his offensive decision-making could broaden his appeal to NBA teams. Coach Rick Pitino is likely to rely heavily on him again, leaving room for a potential step forward in production that could significantly boost his prospect status.