The ultimate key date of the boys’s school basketball offseason is approaching, with the NCAA requiring gamers who entered the NBA draft to withdraw their names by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday in the event that they wish to return to varsity.
A handful of notable gamers have already got introduced their selections, headlined by Boogie Fland, who attended the NBA draft mix for 2 days earlier than withdrawing and transferring to Florida. Former Texas Tech ahead Darrion Williams additionally introduced his withdrawal, turning into one of the best accessible switch within the portal as of this writing. (Extra on that beneath.)
There are nonetheless no less than a dozen stay-or-go selections that can materially impression the 2025-26 school basketball season, which we’ll run by way of beneath.
However earlier than we dive in, two disclaimers:
First, we aren’t together with gamers who had been not invited to the mix; it is thought of a telltale signal that when gamers with NCAA eligibility do not obtain an invite, they need to return to varsity for an additional season. Oregon’s Nate Bittle falls into this class.
We’re additionally not together with worldwide prospects reminiscent of Neoklis Avdalas and Ben Henshall, each of whom may find yourself within the NCAA ought to they withdraw from the draft. They’ve till June 15 to make their selections.
There are others who’ve but to announce — Texas A&M’s Mackenzie Mgbako and Penn State’s Yanic Konan Niederhauser come to thoughts — however listed here are the 12 most impactful stay-or-go selections within the closing week earlier than the deadline.
When Uzan entered the NBA draft following the Cougars’ run to the nationwide title recreation, he was thought of a second-round decide and more likely to maintain his identify within the draft. However he struggled on the mix in Chicago, ending with 9 whole factors on 3-for-12 capturing within the two scrimmages. He wasn’t in ESPN’s post-combine mock draft.
Whereas Kelvin Sampson ready for Uzan’s departure by signing top-25 recruit Kingston Flemings and Creighton switch Pop Isaacs, the Cougars would have three starters from a crew that gained 35 video games and reached the championship recreation if Uzan returns, placing them squarely within the dialog for preseason No. 1.
Lendeborg did nothing to harm his draft standing on the mix, getting into with a late-first-round projection and exiting in an analogous place. He measured at 6-foot-10 in sneakers with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and had 13 factors and 9 rebounds within the first scrimmage. The UAB switch did say he needs to be drafted inside the highest 20, although it is unclear if which means he wants a top-20 assure to stay within the draft.
Ought to Lendeborg make it to Ann Arbor, Dusty Could’s crew would have a case for a preseason top-five rating. The Wolverines ready for his attainable NBA choice by bringing in transfers Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois) and Aday Mara (UCLA), however Lendeborg would give them a confirmed frontcourt anchor.
After Boogie Fland dedicated to the Gators, all eyes in Gainesville turned towards Condon. Ought to Condon return to Florida, the “repeat” discuss may formally start; if he opts to remain within the draft, coach Todd Golden has the frontcourt depth to make it work.
Nonetheless, a beginning 5 of Fland, Condon, Xaivian Lee, Thomas Haugh and Rueben Chinyelu can be elite for the defending nationwide champions.
Condon opted to not take part within the 5-on-5 scrimmage portion of the mix, so there wasn’t an enormous alternative for his inventory to maneuver dramatically in a single path or the opposite. The 6-foot-11 ahead slotted in at No. 38 in ESPN’s newest mock draft, and a lot of the intel surrounding Condon suggests he’s extra more likely to return to varsity.
After beginning only one recreation as a freshman at Auburn, Pettiford had an actual likelihood to maneuver the needle on the mix — and he took full benefit. He had spectacular athletic testing and was one of the best participant on the ground in his crew’s first scrimmage, ending with 23 factors and eight assists. The efficiency did not earn him a first-round projection, although, rising solely from No. 39 to No. 37 between ESPN’s pre-combine and post-combine mock drafts.
Improbable opening recreation from Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford on the NBA draft mix w/ 23 factors, 8 assists, 1 turnover and a few robust moments defensively exhibiting his instincts and peskiness producing turnovers. Ability-level, really feel for the sport and explosiveness had been on full show pic.twitter.com/rp2E8N9zoM
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) Could 14, 2025
Bruce Pearl will hope Pettiford returns to Auburn. Pettiford may open the season as a preseason All-American, and he would be the major playmaker for a crew with intriguing switch additions Elyjah Freeman, Keyshawn Corridor and Abdul Bashir on the wings. If Pettiford leaves, Auburn will not have anybody from final season’s crew and might be pressured to depend on freshman Kaden Magwood to run the purpose.
We have been below the impression that Oweh in the end would return to Lexington, however he scored in double figures in every of the mix scrimmages and stated he was “going by way of the method as if I am all-in.” With that stated, he nonetheless is not projected to be picked regardless of the strong exhibiting in Chicago.
Mark Pope and Kentucky have added 10 new gamers this offseason, however bringing again a second-team All-SEC performer reminiscent of Oweh probably would push the Wildcats into the preseason high 10. With out him, Pope should rely extra closely on newcomers in five-star freshman Jasper Johnson and transfers Denzel Aberdeen (Florida) and Kam Williams (Tulane).
Initially, it appeared as if John Calipari and Arkansas had been simply ready on Knox. When Calipari launched a social media video with a breakdown of the Razorbacks’ 2025-26 roster, he referenced Knox testing the NBA draft waters — and there was no point out of Thiero, who had entered the draft however confirmed no indication of a attainable return. Whereas Knox was unsurprisingly 50-50 when requested about his stay-or-go choice on the mix, Thiero raised some eyebrows by saying “the door isn’t utterly shut” on a return.
Thiero is No. 34 in ESPN’s mock draft, whereas Knox is not projected to be drafted. Each returning to Fayetteville would give Calipari unbelievable lineup versatility, and even simply considered one of them returning would probably be sufficient to place Arkansas within the preseason high 10.
Coward’s dedication to Duke pushed the Blue Devils comfortably inside the newest iteration of the Method-Too-Early High 25, however that increase appears as if it is going to be short-lived. Regardless of taking part in in simply six video games at Washington State after transferring from Jap Washington, Coward’s inventory has skyrocketed over the previous few weeks.
On the mix, he was measured with a 7-foot-2¼ wingspan and shot 72% through the drills, tied for sixth greatest. He’s ranked No. 30 in ESPN’s mock draft, and a few NBA personnel have instructed he may not even final that lengthy. Coward stated on the mix that “the knowledge is certainly leaning in the direction of staying within the draft.”
Coach Jon Scheyer has pivoted shortly, nonetheless, with the Blue Devils rising as the favourite to land FC Barcelona wing Dame Sarr.
With Boogie Fland and Darrion Williams withdrawing, there are actually solely three portalers who attended the mix and have but to announce their stay-or-go intentions: Luis, Haggerty and Watkins.
Luis and Haggerty are the highest two gamers in ESPN’s switch rankings, with each garnering All-America honors final season. Watkins is the fourth-best accessible switch, however he was one of the best of the trio on the mix. Luis was inconsistent capturing the ball, whereas Haggerty had turnover and ending points though his counting stats had been spectacular.
Watkins had 23 factors and 5 steals within the second scrimmage, exhibiting elite defensive skill. Following the mix, Watkins is the one one projected to be drafted, rising all the way in which to No. 44 in ESPN’s newest mock.
Ought to any of those three return to varsity, anticipate a high-level recruitment with packages battling it out to land what might be the lacking participant for a deep run within the 2026 NCAA match.
Byrd undoubtedly boosted his inventory on the mix. Among the finest defensive wings in school basketball final season, he checked in with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and shot the ball properly, going 5-for-11 from 3 within the two scrimmages whereas racking up steals and blocks on the different finish of the ground. He stated he was 50-50 on his stay-or-go choice on the mix, although, and he’s ranked No. 43 in ESPN’s mock draft.
Byrd’s return probably would solidify San Diego State as a preseason top-25 crew and the Mountain West favourite. Brian Dutcher brings in three transfers together with ESPN 100 freshman Reese Waters, who redshirted final season after averaging 9.6 factors in 2023-24 and would be the crew’s most confirmed offensive participant.
