With the 2024 NBA draft less than a month away (June 26-27), the draft pool solidified more Wednesday with the passing of the NCAA’s deadline for men’s college basketball players to decide whether to forgo their college eligibility by staying in the draft or return to school.
NBA teams and college programs were given reasons to celebrate as notable players such as Bronny James, Alex Karaban, David Jones, Caleb Love and Mark Sears made decisions about their basketball futures. The feedback players received from the NBA draft combine and pro day workouts, as well as the effect of NIL deals from various programs, played major roles in whether prospects decided to go pro or return to schools that are primed for championship runs.
Also of note, the NBA’s final deadline for early entrants to withdraw their names from the draft pool is June 16, a date that most impacts international players, who aren’t under the same restrictions as college players.
So which schools benefited the most from players returning to their programs? Who is most likely to rise up the NBA draft board in 2025? Are the UConn Huskies in position to go for a three-peat? ESPN college basketball insider Jeff Borzello and ESPN draft insiders Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo share their answers to these lingering questions.