These Prospects Said No to the NBA Draft—For Now

Photo: Isaiah White-Getty

The NBA Draft is usually viewed as the finish line for college basketball, and for most players, getting called as soon as possible is the ultimate dream. For others, that dream can wait until they're ready, and we've witnessed a handful of legit talent withdraw from the 2026 NBA draft in favor of the campus grounds. Some of these players were already on NBA radars. Some had first-round buzz. Some could have stayed in the draft and taken their chances at the next level. Instead, they chose to run it back with unfinished business still on the table.

The withdrawal deadline has officially passed, and some of these kids have taken it upon themselves to significantly boost their draft stock. For others, it's a risky gamble. College careers don't last long, and the direct line to the NBA can disappear the older you get. So, was returning to school the right move? Did some of these players make the right decision? Or did they pass up their best shot at the league? Let’s take a look at the biggest 2026 NBA Draft withdrawals and what their return to college could mean long term.

1. Amari Allen (F)

   Alabama

Photo: Devin Stokes-UAAthletics

2025-26 Stats:

11.4 PPG · 6.9 RPG · 3.1 APG · 44.6% FG

This was absolutely the right move. With Labaron Philon gone, Allen has an opportunity to spearhead the Southeastern Conference. A slasher and elite-glass crasher, Allen is a high energy prospect who plays a lot bigger than he actually is. Listed at 6'8" at the NCAA level, combine measurements have him listed at just 6'5" barefoot. The downsize likely means NBA teams are going to view him as a guard-wing rather than a forward, which means this season at Alabama could provide a completely different scouting report. Capable of facilitating the rock as well, Allen could be the guy that runs every aspect of Alabama's offense next season.

2. Andrej Stojakovic (G)

   Illinois

Photo: Craig Pessman-AP

2025-26 Stats:

13.5 PPG · 4.5 RPG · 1.0 APG · 50.0% FG

Likely a late second round pick, Stojakovic not only gets a guaranteed NIL payday, but the opportunity to play his way into the first round of a much weaker 2027 draft class. The son of legendary shooter Peja Stojakovic, we're yet to see the same jumper out of Andrej just yet, shooting just 24% from three during his junior campaign. He'll need to get the percentages up if he wants to be effective at the next level. We already know he can fit into multiple systems well—going into his fourth year of college hoops, he's played for a different organization each year. An adaptable prospect with fierce downhill scoring ability, Andrej shot 50% from the field at Illinois last season. If he's going to be playing a guard, the deep range splits need to increase.

3. Braylon Mullins (G)

   UConn

Photo: Erick Rasco-Getty

2025-26 Stats:

12.0 PPG · 3.5 RPG · 1.4 APG · 42.1% FG

Braylon Mullins might have slid pretty deep if he had stayed in the 2026 Draft, but now he's pretty much a lottery-pick lock if he stays healthy and continues to play well on arguably the best team in college basketball. Mullins is an a pretty good position right now. After hitting the iconic 35-foot buzzer-beater against Duke in the Elite Eight, Mullins is a certified March Madness legend. His earning power at UConn through NIL deals gives him tremendous financial security, offsetting the immediate need to chase a rookie-scale NBA contract. A high-IQ sharpshooter who can get to his spots and punish you from deep, Mullins entered the 2026 Draft as one of the best catch and shoot prospects on earth and that title will carry on to the 2027 class as well.

4. John Blackwell (G)

   Duke

Photo: Geoff Stellfox-Getty

2025-26 Stats:

19.1 PPG · 5.1 RPG · 2.3 APG · 43.0% FG

Blackwell was a huge problem at the NBA Draft combine on the offensive end, but his physical measurements didn't do him any favors. At 6'3" with a 6'1" wingspan, Blackwell was hovering in the 80s for most draft boards. Returning to college hoops maintains an actual draft position next year rather than an undrafted contract. He also reportedly secured an NIL deal upward of $4 million to join the Blue Devils, keeping him financially stable with the draft window wide open. The kid is a bucket who drew Donovan Mitchell comparisons, undersized at the two but capable of scoring on any defender (and also a superb rebounder for his size). He'll be 22 by this time next year, but honestly, I think he's just scratching the surface.

5. Tyler Tanner (G)

   Vanderbilt

Photo: Jonah Roberts-AP

2025-26 Stats:

19.5 PPG · 3.6 RPG · 5.1 APG · 48.5% FG

Tyler Tanner is the best guard Vanderbilt has seen since Darius Garland and could cement himself as the best under Mark Byington if he commits to four years. For now, what we know is he's returning for his junior campaign after averaging 19 points, 5 dimes and 3 rebounds this season. The tape shows a seasoned point-guard ready for action. But the measurements tell a different story—Tanner is...tiny. Measuring in at 5'10", 160 pounds at the combine, there is zero margin for error in his NBA projection. We've seen guys this small get picked up before: Tyler Ulis, Pierre Jackson, Kay Felder and more. But it isn't 2016 anymore. In a league where everyone values not only skill, but size, Tanner has to work three-times as hard as he already has been, and one more collegiate season could be the push he needs.

6. Jeremy Fears Jr. (G)

   Michigan State

Photo: Patrick Smith-Getty

2025-26 Stats:

15.2 PPG · 2.4 RPG · 9.4 APG · 43.1% FG

What else does this kid have to prove? A McDonald's All-American, Second Team All-American and the NCAA assists leader, Fears' resume is deep. So is his bag. With crafty handles and a rugged downhill drive, he absorbs contact in the paint for lays and can also stop on a dime and shoot. This is one of the most complete point guards prospects on the planet, so why return to college hoops? Yet again, size. Fears measured just 6'0" barefoot and returning to school prevents him from slipping into the second round and battling just to get a single NBA minute. Ultimately, Fears return could signify yet another deep tournament run by another Michigan school, and who knows, they could end up challenging the Wolverines and swiping a banner of their own.

7. Tounde Yessoufou (G)

   St. John's

Photo: Candice Ward-Getty

2025-26 Stats:

17.8 PPG · 5.9 RPG · 1.6 APG · 46.5% FG

A breakout star at Baylor firmly in the first or early second round, this one was a shocker. Tounde likely would have picked up an NBA contract, but then again, being a fringe second-rounder is a precarious position that often results in no guaranteed money. For a player on an international visa who needs to focus entirely on his game rather than stressing over a two-way contract, St. John's may have just offered him the best way out. It's no secret that Baylor's system was a disaster last year, and Tounde put in insane work just to keep the team competitive. At St. John's, Yessoufou gets thrown into a rotation on a winning team immediately, and Rick Pitino has a long, successful history in developing athletic guards. Yessoufou could end up being a lottery pick by next season.

8. Flory Bidunga (C)

   Louisville

Photo: Alex Slitz-Getty

2025-26 Stats:

13.3 PPG · 9.0 RPG · 1.5 APG · 64.0% FG

An athletic monster, Bidunga is a freak shot-blocker and finisher who recieved Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors following his sophomore campaign. A consensus second-round pick, Bidunga is a physical powerhouse, but his offensive bag is still largely limited to dunks, put-backs, and basic rolls. Louisville announced that they've picked him up and are willing to go the extra mile to develop his shooting range, which could make him a nightmare. NBA front offices generally want to see more perimeter offensive growth from big men before investing in a long-term project like Bidunga—but one thing is for sure: this kid is already NBA ready on the defensive end, putting up 2.6 swats a night last season. This could be a really good move that turns Bidunga into a quintessential high-energy backup center every team wants.

9. Milan Momcilovic (F)

   Iowa State

Photo: Ed Zurga-Getty

2025-26 Stats:

16.9 PPG · 3.1 RPG · 1.0 APG · 50.6% FG

Milan not only withdrew from the draft, but entered the transfer portal as well, and we still have no idea where he'll end up. Whatever program gets their hands on him is going to be lucky when it comes to floor spacing. But this was a decision that still can't be predicted just yet. NBA evaluators were impressed by his shooting drills at the combine, but were skeptical about his body as well as his defense. Likely to fall somewhere in the late fifties to undrafted, this was less of an option for Momcilovic an more a requirement—and not a bad one. As the top-ranked player in the transfer portal, Momcilovic’s NIL valuation is significant (reportedly in the $4–6 million range). An elite, historically efficient sniper who provides the kind sharpshooting every team wants, Momcilovic could be one of the most exciting players to watch next season, wherever he ends up.

10. Thomas Haugh (F)

    Florida

Photo: Johnny Izquierdo-Getty

2025-26 Stats:

17.1 PPG · 6.1 RPG · 2.1 APG · 46.0% FG

This is major commitment to college basketball. Following a title, Haugh returned for his junior season and provided stellar production. A stretch four with elite shot-IQ, Haugh was named Consensus second-team All-American and seemed to be a first round lock. He also gets to capitalize on his massive NIL earning potential while continuing to grow his game under Golden. And don't sleep, Florida may have lost several prospects, including 7'9 alien Olivier Roux, but they're still a squad very capable of contending for yet another national championship. Haugh is a proven winner and a versatile forward whose game is built for the modern NBA, and sure, he looks ready, but clearly has unfinished business at the NCAA level first.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Whether these players made the right decision or not, one thing is clear: college basketball just got a lot more interesting. Some of these prospects were on the NBA's doorstep and now they get to return to school with another year to develop, dominate, and potentially break college hoops wide open. For others, this may end up being the peak of their basketball journey if the NBA window starts to close. Returning to college can be a blessing, but it can also be a gamble. Either way, fans should keep a close eye on these names throughout the 2026-27 season. Which one of these prospects are you most excited to see back in college, and who do you think has the best chance to eventually make noise at the next level?

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Thanks for reading!

-Joel Piton

(@jpiton7)