NCAAB · 5 months ago

Back to School! Top 15 NBA Draft Withdrawals Returning to College

John Canady

Host · Writer

15) C Nate Bittle, Oregon
Nate Bittle was one of the top stretch bigs in the nation last season, averaging 14.2 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 33.6% from beyond the arc. The seven-footer felt his skill set could easily translate to the NBA game, pushing him to test the draft process and look for feedback. With a return to Oregon in store, Bittle seemed to have been encouraged by what another season in college could do for his stock this time next offseason.

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1) G PJ Haggerty, Kansas State
PJ Haggerty put together a monster season at Memphis and seemed poised to be headed to the NBA Draft when the Tigers' season ended. The star guard opted to test the NBA Draft waters but also made headlines when he entered the transfer portal seeking a major payday on the open market. After briefly testing his stock in the NBA Draft, Haggerty elected to capitalize on his NIL opportunities by committing to Kansas State, where he'll play one more season for the Wildcats.

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2) G Boogie Fland, Arkansas
Heading into the season, Boogie Fland was projected to be a lottery pick in the first round of the NBA Draft this offseason. However, after suffering an injury midseason that forced him to miss time, his absence undoubtedly did him no favors regarding his draft stock. Still electing to test the draft waters, Fland entered the transfer portal, keeping his options open for a return to college basketball. Fland quickly decided that returning to college was in his best interest and found a home with the reigning National Champions, joining Todd Golden and the Florida Gators.
3) F Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Yaxel Lendeborg was among the few players to enter the transfer portal early in the process and decide on his college future before testing the draft waters. The UAB standout had offers from nearly every top program in the nation. However, he chose the Michigan Wolverines as his next squad, based on how his evaluation process in the NBA Draft unfolded. Lendeborg felt that a return to college would be best for his career in the long term, which led him to join Dusty May's squad to compete in the Big Ten in 2025.
4) F Darrion Williams, Texas Tech
Darrion Williams was a driving force behind the success of Texas Tech this past season. It took many by surprise when he announced his decision to enter the transfer portal following the Red Raiders' loss in the Elite Eight. The versatile forward elected to work out at the NBA Combine before deciding on his future, but quickly decided that another season of college ball could be what's best for his career. Looking to be the top option on offense, Williams joined new head coach Will Wade at NC State, where he'll, without a doubt, be a focal point for the Wolfpack.
5) G Chad Baker-Mazara, USC
Chad Baker-Mazara enters next season as one of the more experienced players in the nation, entering his fifth season of college basketball. The oversized guard seemed to be leaning towards a return to college all along, but felt it would be a disservice not to at least test the draft waters. Returning to Auburn seemed like the top option, but after rumors of an NIL dispute causing a fractured relationship, Baker-Mazara opted for a fresh start, leading him to USC.
6) G Milos Uzan, Houston
Milos Uzan began his career at Oklahoma, where he spent two seasons before transferring to Houston for the 2024 season. The six-foot-four guard proved to be one of the best 3-and-D players in the country for the Cougars this past year, while also proving to be an underrated playmaker in Kelvin Sampson's offense. Uzan seemed like he could've been a legit candidate to stay in the upcoming draft class, but instead, he returned to Houston for one more season to make another run.
7) F Alex Condon, Florida
Alex Condon elected to test the NBA Draft process out himself after an impressive season as a full-time starter for the Florida Gators this past year, during the team's championship run. The big man chose to return to the SEC for his junior season in college, which was undoubtedly music to the ears of Todd Golden, who has back-to-back championships on his mind.
8) G Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
Tahaad Pettiford impressed this past season during his freshman year at Auburn. As an undersized guard at six-foot-one, Pettiford's craftiness as an offensive player and gritty defender made him an intriguing prospect to NBA scouts. Pettiford felt like he could be leaning towards testing his luck by staying in the draft at one point, but undoubtedly he had a change of heart throughout the process, which led him back to Auburn for his sophomore season, where he'll have a prominent role for Bruce Pearl's squad.
9) G Otega Oweh, Kentucky
Otega Oweh transferred to Kentucky last offseason after spending the previous two seasons at Oklahoma. The talented guard broke out in his first year in Mark Pope's system, serving as the top option in the Wildcats' offense. Not only did he impress with his growth as an offensive player, but his defense down the stretch was huge for Kentucky. Oweh entered the draft, but most reports surrounding his process suggested that unless he was graded as a first-round pick, he'd be returning to UK for another year. Headed back to Big Blue Nation, it seems clear that another season of college for Oweh will benefit his stock next offseason.
10) F Karter Knox, Arkansas
Karter Knox showed legit promise during his freshman campaign at Arkansas this past season, especially during the Razorbacks' run in the NCAA Tournament. With good size and an excellent feel for the game, it wouldn't have been shocking to see scouts encourage Knox to stay put in the NBA Draft with the eagerness to select him as a developmental player. And while that may have still happened, returning to Arkansas felt like the best option for the Florida native and his camp.
11) G Joson Sanon, St. John's
Joson Sanon was one of the very first players to enter the transfer portal and find a home quickly in the process after committing to St. John's. Still, after a solid freshman campaign, the guard felt an obligation to test his stock at the NBA Combine. As he heads back to college, Sanon quickly decided the opportunity to play under legendary head coach Rick Pitino was too good to pass up.
12) G Labaron Philon, Alabama
Labaron Philon seemed like he could have been a late first-round lock after his impressive season at Alabama. However, Philon felt that returning to the Crimson Tide for one more season would allow him to be a part of something special with head coach Nate Oats. Philon will be a player many scouts keep their eyes on heading into next season.
13) G Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana
Lamar Wilkerson entered the transfer portal early in the offseason but kept his options open for a possible jump into the NBA Draft. Despite that, it was made clear early on that the sharpshooter was leaning towards another collegiate season with a top program. He found that opportunity at Indiana, becoming one of Darian DeVries's first top portal commitments at his new job with the Hoosiers.
14) F Miles Byrd, San Diego State
Miles Byrd spent the last three seasons at San Diego State, where he continued developing for the Aztecs. After a breakout season as a full-time starter, the six-foot-seven guard tested the draft waters, thinking hard about making the leap to the NBA. Byrd became one of the last players to withdraw from the NBA Draft and now finds himself back at San Diego State for his junior season.
15) C Nate Bittle, Oregon
Nate Bittle was one of the top stretch bigs in the nation last season, averaging 14.2 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 33.6% from beyond the arc. The seven-footer felt his skill set could easily translate to the NBA game, pushing him to test the draft process and look for feedback. With a return to Oregon in store, Bittle seemed to have been encouraged by what another season in college could do for his stock this time next offseason.

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1) G PJ Haggerty, Kansas State
PJ Haggerty put together a monster season at Memphis and seemed poised to be headed to the NBA Draft when the Tigers' season ended. The star guard opted to test the NBA Draft waters but also made headlines when he entered the transfer portal seeking a major payday on the open market. After briefly testing his stock in the NBA Draft, Haggerty elected to capitalize on his NIL opportunities by committing to Kansas State, where he'll play one more season for the Wildcats.

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Back to School! Top 15 NBA Draft Withdrawals Returning to College

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