NCAAB · 1 year ago

Back to School! Top 25 NBA Draft Withdrawals Returning to College

David Connelly

Host · Writer

25. Malik Dia, Ole Miss
The abundance of talent in the Missouri Valley last season overshadowed Malik Dia's outstanding performance throughout the year. To truly appreciate his peak, one should watch his 32-point performance in a win over Drake in January. At 6'9", Dia is an exceptional prospect, capable of hitting five threes against solid competition. His versatility and ability to create matchup problems could be the key to pushing Ole Miss over the edge in the 2024-25 season.
1. RJ Davis, North Carolina
RDavis has already cemented himself as one of the all-time greats as one of eight Tar Heels to ever achieve 2,000 points in his career. He now returns for the one thing that has eluded him in his time at Chapel Hill: a national championship. The All-American came as close as a halftime lead over Kansas in the 2021 national championship that was eventually blown in the second half. His return not only makes him the National Player of the Year frontrunner but will also have the program in prime position to reach another Final Four in 2024-25.
2. Mark Sears, Alabama
It wasn't long ago that Mark Sears was helping Ohio put together a first-round upset of No. 4 Virginia at the NCAA Tournament as a key contributor off the bench for the Bobcats back in 2020-21. He has since blossomed into a consensus All-American and is now a legitimate contender for National Player of the Year heading into his final season in Tuscaloosa. His combination of burst, sharpshooting, and playmaking make him a nightmare for opposing defenses, and he will be the spearhead of a Crimson Tide team with Final Four aspirations yet again heading into 2024-25.
3. Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest
HunterSallis was one of the best pickups in the portal for Steve Forbes and Wake Forest last season, evolving from a rotational contributor at Gonzaga to a centerpiece in Winston-Salem. Sallis was one of the top scorers at the Power 6 level all season, averaging 18.6 points while shooting 49 percent from the floor and 41 percent from deep. He's now back for his senior season, where the Demon Deacons should be a contender for the regular-season ACC crown.
4. Alex Karaban, UConn
Just like his head coach Dan Hurley, Alex Karaban is on board to run it back once again in Storrs. He is one of two players returning to the program that were a part of both national titles, and he'll be the leader for the Huskies on their quest for a three-peat. His combination of shooting, perimeter defense, and overall game sense makes him one of the top returners to the game and a legitimate Big East Player of the Year candidate.
5. AJ Storr, Kansas
AJ Storr is set to join the Kansas Jayhawks for the 2024-25 season, marking his transfer to a third institution in as many years. While this frequent movement might raise eyebrows among talent scouts, Storr's impressive development during his sophomore year at Wisconsin, following an unremarkable start at St. John's, is noteworthy. Demonstrating the ability to score from anywhere on the court, Storr could elevate his game by broadening his contributions beyond scoring. Despite averaging 28.8 minutes per game with the Badgers, his stats fell below four rebounds and one assist per game. We'll see if Bill Self can further develop him into a standout prospect at Kansas.
6. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
While for most, it may feel like Ryan Kalkbrenner has been in college for over a decade now, it's just a testament to the impact he has had on both Creighton and the Big East during his time in Omaha. He enters 2024-25 as arguably the top rim protector in the sport and will be in contention for National Player of the Year consideration. The two areas that would seriously improve Kalkbrenner's stock are his outside shooting and overall size. If he can add on a few more pounds and improve his three-point shooting from sub-30 percent up to 35 percent, we like his chances of having a lengthy career at the next level.
7. Eric Dixon, Villanova
Eric Dixon remains one of the more underrated big men in college basketball. You rarely hear his name brought up among the elite bigs in the sport, but that should change in 2024-25. With Justin Moore having graduated, it will truly feel like Dixon's team, as they will be expected to play through him. He's a perfect center for how Villanova tends to operate, a face-up big that can shoot from deep with great mobility and smooth movement. He will surely be in the running for Big East Player of the Year and a member of the conference's preseason All-Conference First Team.
8. Caleb Love, Arizona
Caleb Love is one of the more polarizing players in college basketball right now, but his return is undeniably paramount for the Wildcats heading into 2024-25. There will be plenty of pressure on his shoulders this year, though, after shooting just 34 percent from the field and failing to eclipse 20 points across three NCAA Tournament games back in March. Love will need to become more consistent and reliable in order to be in the National Player of the Year conversation, a ceiling we have seen him possess on various occasions.
9. Johnell Davis, Arkansas
Johnell Dav is not only returning to college hoops for his penultimate season, but he's making the leap to the Power 6 level. The 2023-24 AAC Player of the Year has chosen to join Coach Cal for his debut season at Arkansas, where he'll surely be the focal point for the Razorbacks. He has the length, alpha scoring ability, and tenacity to succeed within the SEC, and Calipari will be able to put him in the best situations to lead Arkansas to a strong season.
10. Great Osobor, Washington
After following head coach Danny Sprinkle from Montana State to Utah State, GreatOsobor will be doing so yet again as he and Sprinkle arrive to Washington this offseason in hopes of bringing the Huskies to just its second NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012. His burly frame, mixed with his efficiency as a scorer and rebounder, make him a unique player in the sport heading into 2024-25. Don't expect the leap to the Power 6 level to phase him, as he made the transition from the Big Sky to the Mountain West with ease a season ago.
11. Jeremy Roach, Baylor
Jeremy Roach's entry into the portal is one of the more surprising moves this offseason. As Duke's captain and the team's nucleus for the past few seasons, it's rare to see someone with over 100 starts for the Blue Devils become available. The Virginia native had his best shooting season recently, hitting 42.9 percent of his three-pointers and averaging a career-high 14.0 points per game. Few players possess Roach's combination of veteran leadership and overall skills. His experience will be invaluable, especially with the significant backcourt changes at Baylor this offseason.
12. Coleman Hawkins, Kansas State
After withdrawing from the draft process, Coleman Hawkins instantly became one of the most sought-after names in the portal. While a program could potentially secure Hawkins for the 2024-25 season, it's more likely that many will be disappointed as he moves to the next level. Hawkins was arguably the biggest name to enter the portal in the final 24 hours. He is incredibly versatile, having done everything possible to help the Illini win. He can score from the post and the perimeter, rebound, and defend effectively with his length, and he also has solid playmaking abilities. His vibrant personality and provocative tweets make him a player that opponents love to hate, and fans adore.
13. Jonas Aidoo, Arkansas
In his third year in Knoxville, JonassAidoo evolved into the big man Rick Barnes was hoping for, averaging 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 52 percent from the floor as a frontcourt leader for the Volunteers. His impact on the defensive end was even more crucial, ranking third in the SEC in block percentage during conference play as one of the premier rim protectors in the nation. He has All-American upside heading into 2024-25 as John Calipari and Arkansas look to bounce back from a disastrous season that culminated in the fewest SEC wins in over a decade.
14. Payton Sandfort, Iowa
Payton Sandfort took over the alpha role for Iowa last season and showed how dangerous he can be on the offensive end. It's not common for someone at 6'7" to bring the high-level combination of shooting and rebounding that he does to the table for the Hawkeyes. In what will now be his fourth season at Iowa, it feels like this team is finally Sandfort's all to himself. He has waited his turn, and he's got a strong enough supporting cast around him to make some noise in the Big Ten this season. Watch out for Sandfort as a sleeper Big Ten Player of the Year candidate next season.
15. Trey Townsend, Arizona
While Jack Gohlke shone for Oakland during the NCAA Tournament, those who followed the Golden Grizzlies all season know Trey Townsend was the true catalyst. The rising senior's impressive 38-point game in the Horizon League Championship against Milwaukee showcased his talent. At 6'6" and 212 lbs., Townsend uses his solid build effectively against larger opponents in the paint. His post-up game is strong, and he's also proficient from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 32 three-point attempts during the 2023-24 season. With 129 games of experience at Oakland, Townsend brings extensive experience, scoring ability, and a polished skill set, making him a valuable player for Arizona.
16. Norchad Omier, Baylor
Despite Miami's disappointing 2023-24 campaign, Norchad Omier stood out as the team's leader, showcasing why he was one of the top players in this year's portal. Don't be deceived by his robust and burly build. While he excels as a scorer at the rim, shooting 64 percent, he is also proficient with his jumper, hitting 35 percent from beyond the arc. His physicality and robust frame help him frequently achieve double-doubles, finishing second in the ACC with 17 on the season. These strengths and his innate ability to score off the pick-and-roll make him a strong All-American candidate for the Baylor Bears in the 2024-25 season.
17. Tyon Grant-Foster, Grand Canyon
Tyon Grant-Foster's s story is one of the most inspiring ones in sports right now. The WAC Player of the Year collapsed twice in the past two years, with the first incident occurring at halftime of his debut with DePaul. After being cleared this past March, he has emerged as one of the top mid-major talents in the country and a legitimate All-American candidate ahead of next season. Given his size and feel for the game, it would be no surprise if he were given some interest during his draft process, and we wouldn't be surprised to see him go in at least the second round next season when he re-enters the player pool.
18. Sion James, Duke
There may not be a better brand to fall back on after withdrawing from the NBA Draft than Duke. That's where Sion James will be heading next season after four seasons at Tulane. The Georgia native didn't just slowly ramp up his workload over the course of those four years, but his shooting splits also found a way to increase, something you don't typically see as a player begins to take more shots. He joins an elite recruiting class incoming for the Blue Devils, and he'll be expected to be a veteran presence within a youthful locker room.
19. Michael Ajayi, Gonzaga
It won't be a far trip for Michael Ajayi, who has opted to stay in the West Coast Conference and make the move from Pepperdine to Gonzaga for the upcoming season. It never felt like much of a question as to whether or not he was going to return to school, but he did give scouts something to think about for the future at the NBA Combine scrimmages, leading all scorers with 14 points in one while tallying nine points, seven rebounds, and four assists in the other. He will be a key piece for the Bulldogs this season and should be in the running for WCC Player of the Year.
20. Achor Achor, Kansas State
Most fans became familiar with Achor Achor during Samford's narrow defeat to Kansas in the NCAA Tournament, where Achor led the Bulldogs with 23 points and eight rebounds. Achor's rise in the basketball world has come quickly, as he's gone from playing for JUCO school Chipola College in Florida two years ago to being at the NBA Combine this summer. Now, he gets a chance to play against the big guns in the Big 12 after transferring to Kansas State and joining Jerome Tang's loaded roster ahead of the 2024-25 season.
21. Koby Brea, Kentucky
Koby Brea is the transfer portal's top shooter and possibly the entire nation. In the 2023-24 season, he was on fire from deep, hitting 49.8 percent of his three-point attempts and making over 200 threes in 33 games. With a smooth jumper and a height of 6'6", he should have no trouble getting his shot off against higher-level defenders in the Power Six conferences. At Kentucky, just as he did at Dayton, Brea will be surrounded by other skilled scorers and shooters, which will help him get open looks. He is one of four new transfers who shot 37 percent or better from three-point range last season.
22. Meechie Johnson, Ohio State
Meechie Johnson was the driving force behind South Carolina's remarkable season, where the Gamecocks achieved their highest SEC winning percentage since 1997. Although he has some impressive performances, consistency remains a crucial area for improvement for the Cleveland native. He fell short of scoring double digits in ten of his final 19 games last season. If he can enhance his scoring output and consistently assert himself as a leader in the 2024-25 season, he has the potential to become an All-American. It will be interesting to see if he meets these expectations upon his return to Ohio State next season.
23. Andrew Carr, Kentucky
Andrew Carr was a vital component of a dynamic Wake Forest offense, essential for its effective operation. Standing at 6'10", he is a stretch forward who shot over 37 percent from beyond the arc, drawing significant defensive attention and creating opportunities for teammates like Hunter Sallis and Efton Reid. His blend of size and shooting ability suggests All-American potential as he heads into his final collegiate season. High-major programs showed considerable interest in Carr during the transfer portal period, and another impressive season at his new home, Kentucky could pave the way for an NBA career in the near future.
24. Jaxson Robinson, Kentucky
Jaxson Robinson played a pivotal role in BYU's 2023-24 success, consistently providing points as a scorer off the bench. Known for his ability to heat up quickly, he is one of the top spot-up shooters still available in the transfer portal, with an impressive shooting form. Robinson is a valuable addition to Kentucky's rotation, bringing an offensive boost. However, he could benefit from maintaining his impact when he isn't scoring. As a dedicated scorer, his presence can sometimes wane if he isn't hitting his shots.
25. Malik Dia, Ole Miss
The abundance of talent in the Missouri Valley last season overshadowed Malik Dia's outstanding performance throughout the year. To truly appreciate his peak, one should watch his 32-point performance in a win over Drake in January. At 6'9", Dia is an exceptional prospect, capable of hitting five threes against solid competition. His versatility and ability to create matchup problems could be the key to pushing Ole Miss over the edge in the 2024-25 season.
1. RJ Davis, North Carolina
RDavis has already cemented himself as one of the all-time greats as one of eight Tar Heels to ever achieve 2,000 points in his career. He now returns for the one thing that has eluded him in his time at Chapel Hill: a national championship. The All-American came as close as a halftime lead over Kansas in the 2021 national championship that was eventually blown in the second half. His return not only makes him the National Player of the Year frontrunner but will also have the program in prime position to reach another Final Four in 2024-25.

Back to School! Top 25 NBA Draft Withdrawals Returning to College

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