As midnight strikes on May 27, college basketball fans will be keeping a close eye on a crucial moment in the offseason: the deadline for athletes to pull out of the NBA Draft.
Over Memorial Day weekend, notable players like Florrie Vidunga from Louisville, John Blackwell from Duke, and Malachi Moreno from Kentucky announced their decisions to withdraw. Matt Able also stated that he’d be setting aside his NBA aspirations for at least one more year while transferring from North Carolina State University.
On the brink of this deadline, here are ten significant stay-or-go choices that could influence the 2026-27 men’s college basketball landscape.
One of the most captivating situations involves Pete, a 6-foot-8 forward who had an impressive freshman year. However, his performance at the NBA Draft Combine was less than stellar, as he struggled with his shooting.
Initially projected as a lottery pick, his recent mock draft positioning places him near the end of the first round. If he decides to return to Tucson, Arizona’s chances of making a strong run in the tournament could improve, but adjusting back to college after eyeing a one-and-done career might be challenging.
prediction: stay in draft
2. Christian Anderson, Texas Tech University
Anderson’s stock soared during his sophomore year, where he averaged 18.5 points per game and impressed at the combine. Currently, he’s projected to be selected by the Hawks as the 23rd overall pick. Given the injury concerns surrounding All-American JT Toppin, if Anderson were to remain in Lubbock, it would be a significant boost for Coach Grant McCasland.
prediction: stay in draft
3. Tunde Yesufu, Baylor (transfer portal)
After a standout freshman season, Yesufu is being considered a late first-round to early second-round pick if he stays in the draft. Interestingly enough, the prospect of returning to college for more lucrative opportunities in the next year’s less competitive draft is tempting for him.
Yesufu has entered the transfer portal, so if he opts out of the draft, he could become a coveted player with leads from schools like UCLA, Arizona, and a potential return to Baylor.
prediction: stay in draft
4. Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State (Transfer Portal)
Momcilovic finds himself in a similar conundrum. Staying in the draft could see him picked at the very end of the first round, while returning to college could lead to a bidding war for his talents and make him one of the highest-paid players for the upcoming season.
Recognized for his shooting prowess, if he decides to opt out of the draft, Kentucky seems to be the top contender for his next move. St. John’s and Louisville are also expressing interest in the 6-foot-8 sharpshooter, who boasted an impressive three-point shooting percentage last season.
prediction: Returned to college and signed with the University of Kentucky
5. Allen Graves, Santa Clara (Transfer Portal)
Graves, notably part of the “Big Three” free agent candidates, mirrors Yesufu and Momcilovic by entering the transfer portal in preparation for a possible college return. Unlike them, he stands a chance at being selected in the mid-first round if he remains in the draft. If he chooses to withdraw, schools like Duke and LSU are reportedly interested in the versatile Graves, known for his three-point shooting and defense.
prediction: stay in draft
6. Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt
Tanner’s decision is arguably the most pivotal for a college team. With a solid average of nearly 20 points per game in his sophomore year, his presence could certainly propel Vanderbilt into the top 15. On the flip side, if he decides to leave, they may struggle to stay relevant in the rankings.
Tanner is currently projected as a late first-round selection, but it might be tough for him to significantly improve that status. The dilemma he faces involves weighing a lucrative opportunity in the NBA against returning for another season in Nashville.
prediction: Return to Vandy
7. Andrei Stojaković, illinois
Stojakovic’s return to Illinois seems likely; however, his recent silence has left fans a bit anxious. Despite some struggles last season and at the combine, his draft position might not matter as much as it does for others. Whether he returns or not, Illinois is expected to be a top contender.
prediction: Return to Illinois
Before the draft, Allen indicated he would come back if he did not secure a first-round commitment. It appears he did not, but he is still anticipated to wait until the last moment to announce his choice. The 6-foot-7 forward had a commendable freshman year, averaging 11.4 points and almost 7 rebounds.
prediction: stay in draft
9. Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan
Fears, currently a prominent figure for Michigan State, faces a straightforward decision. He can either stay in the draft, possibly landing late in the second round, or return to East Lansing, where he’s likely to be a leader in assists next season. The emotional stakes are high, with fans eagerly awaiting his announcement.
prediction: Return to Michigan
10. Maryke Thomas and Billy Richmond, Arkansas
Including two teammates feels a bit like cheating, but here we are. Of the duo, Thomas has garnered more buzz as a potential first-round selection, although both have captured enough attention to make coaches nervous as the deadline approaches. Richmond’s initial decision to test the waters didn’t concern Arkansas fans much, but after some standout performances, his odds of staying in the draft have significantly risen.
prediction: Thomas remains in the draft, Richmond returns to Arkansas
