NIL
2025 NBA Draft: Players Who Made Return to College Basketball after Withdrawing from the Draft
Many players pulled out of the NBA 2025 Draft and now will return to college. Image Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images As the NBA Draft Withdrawal deadline ended on Wednesday, May 28, 11:59 pm, many of the 106 early entries pulled out to return to school. Several top prospects, who had a chance to be picked […]
Many players pulled out of the NBA 2025 Draft and now will return to college.
Image Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
As the NBA Draft Withdrawal deadline ended on Wednesday, May 28, 11:59 pm, many of the 106 early entries pulled out to return to school. Several top prospects, who had a chance to be picked in the 20-45 range, took a U-turn on their decision to turn pro. Names including Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, Milos Uzan from Houston, and Florida’s Alex Condon withdrew from the 2025 NBA Drafts.
Apart from them, names including the likes of Tahaad Pettiford, Labaron Philon, Miles Byrd, PJ Haggerty, Karter Knox, Otega Oweh, Mackenzie Mgbako, and Nate Bittle pulled out from the drafts. A few days ago, Boogie Fland and Darrion Williams also did the same. Notably, as announced by the league, only 106 players entered the NBA 2025 Drafts as early entries. This is the worst record of early entrants since 2015, with the number dropping from the peak, 353, in 2021.
The prime reason behind a constant rise in the players withdrawing from the draft to return to college is the skyrocketing NIL markets across college basketball. While collegiate stars entered the drafts as chasing an NBA two-way contract would allow them earn more money than going back to college.
However, after 2021, when the NCAA allowed athletes to earn from their NIL (name, image, and likeliness), the number of players returning has increased in huge numbers. It is because these deals allow them to earn as much as $3 to $4 million per year.
Impact of Players’ Withdrawal From NBA 2025 Draft
Teams such as the Florida Gators will have a positive impact as all four players who were a part of the rotation during last NCAA tournament return. While star forward Thomas Haugh decided to not enter for the draft, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu also ended up withdrawing from the draft in the last week.
Not only this, but Micah Handlogten will also return for another season. Similarly, Houston Cougars will have Mios Uzan returning for his senior year, and would aim for a better season with the side. However, teams such as North Carolina lost Drake Powell, their most important potential returner, as he ended up staying in the drafts.
Moreover, teams such as Kansas Jayhawks, Penn State Nittany Lions, Georgetown Hoyas, Duke Blue Devils, and others would be negatively affected. These teams have their star players sticking to the decision of turning pro. Without those players, these teams would rely on youngsters, making it harder to win big games.