The NBA Draft withdrawal deadline ended Wednesday night at 11:59 PM ET, with several college players making their decisions after going through the pre-draft process and receiving valuable feedback from teams.
Bronny James, a projected second-round pick, remains in the 2024 NBA Draft after a disappointing freshman season at USC but a strong performance at the NBA Draft Combine. But even with this draft class considered weaker than in recent years, there were a handful of players who opted to return for another year of college. Alex Karaban was a top performer at the draft combine and returns to Dan Hurley and the two-time national champion UConn Huskies. NIL has played a large role in players’ decisions to return to college with the opportunity to make more money while developing their games against peers rather than fighting for a roster spot and competing in the G League to play.
Yahoo Sports takes a look at the top players remaining in the NBA Draft and the top players returning to college for another season.
Note: The international withdrawal deadline is June 16, with many European seasons still underway.
REMAINS IN THE DESIGN
Bronnie James
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is one step closer to fulfilling his dream of becoming the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA after his son, Bronny, opted to remain in this year’s draft. Bronny, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard, told reporters at the combine that he wants to be his own player outside of being the son of LeBron James, but it appears the duo is being selective not only with team meetings, but with whom Bronny is. He chooses to train as reports surface that he will only visit a few teams, including the Lakers and Phoenix Suns.
Furphy was one of the top perimeter shooters at the NBA Draft Combine and many teams thought he would return to Kansas for another year after rumblings of a lucrative NIL deal with the Jayhawks. The 6-9 wing, originally from Australia, is a projected first-round pick and could already have promise from a team that selects somewhere in the 20s. Furphy averaged 9.1 points and 4.9 rebounds during his freshman year at Kansas and shot 35.2% from 3-point range.
Cam Christie
Christie is the most intriguing player in this draft class, having played just one year in Minnesota before electing to stay in the draft. The 6-6 guard is the younger brother of Lakers guard Max Christie, who was selected in the second round in 2022. Cam Christie underperformed at the combine but should perform well for teams and could have some promise after his decision. to stay in this year’s draft. Christie averaged 11.3 points while shooting 39.1% from three-point range and can be placed in any position on the perimeter with his ball-handling, length and consistent shot creation.
Holmes is the 2024 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and a three-time all-conference player, but could have returned to Dayton for another year. His draft range is all over the place as he is projected anywhere from 25 to 40. He didn’t shoot the ball particularly well at the combine, but his role in the league – with his 6-10 size and offensive versatility as an inside-out player – will be much different than how he was used in college at the pace and spacing of the NBA game.
Jaylen Wells
The junior from Washington State remains in this year’s draft after a solid performance at the combine and positive feedback from teams. The Cougars finished second in the Pac-12 this year and Wells was a top contributor, averaging 12.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. The 6-8 wing shot 41.7% from 3 on four attempts per game and could become the 3-and-D player teams covet at the NBA level.
RETURN TO COLLEGE
Alex Karaban
The biggest winners of the draft withdrawal deadline are the UConn Huskies after Karaban announced his return for his junior season. The 6-8 wing won the 3-point star drill, finishing 21 of 25. He followed that up with a 12-point performance (4-for-5 from the field in 20 minutes) in the final scrimmage, and scouts left knowing he is a reliable shooter with good size who doesn’t force things. Karaban returns next season as a team leader on a new UConn roster and is an early projected first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft given how well he performed in the pre-draft process this year.
The former Gonzaga guard really found his stride after transferring to Wake Forest and was one of the best guards in the ACC last season. The 6-5 combo guard returns for his senior season after averaging 18 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Sallis was a projected second-round pick and could really help his draft stock next year with his court vision, playmaking and outside shooting (he finished his junior season shooting 40.5% from deep).
Coleman Hawkins
It was the right decision for Hawkins to return for another year, but it’s bad news for Illinois as he has opted to enter the transfer portal and will now be one of the most sought-after players. Hawkins, a 6-10 wing, averaged 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds during his senior year and could cash in on lucrative NIL deals for his fifth year next season.
The 6-4 point guard found plenty of space in Arizona’s offense after transferring from North Carolina last season. Love had an up-and-down season and will need to show scouts a little more consistency as a primary ballhandler next season to prove he can be the lead point guard on a second unit. Love averaged 18 points and 3.4 assists last season in Arizona and will be the leader for the Wildcats as they enter the Big 12 next season.
It was a huge win for Nate Oats and Alabama on Wednesday when two of their top players from last season’s Final Four team opted to return for another year. Sears, a 6-1 point guard, led the Crimson Tide in scoring last season, averaging 21.5 points per game and adding 4.2 assists. Stevenson returns for his second season after limited playing time and will have a bigger role next season with his size 6-11 and rim protection. Alabama reached the Final Four for the first time in program history last season and is now the heavy favorite in the SEC with its returning roster and the players coming in next season.
