18 tough stay-or-go decisions for NCAA players participating in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine

USA Today

15-05-2025

18 tough stay-or-go decisions for NCAA players participating in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine
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The NBA Draft Combine is a great way for prospects to figure out their next steps, whether that means playing pro basketball or returning to college.
While there are many players participating in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, not all of them will decide to play in the NBA next season. Some may opt to return to college instead, especially now that NIL deals are especially lucrative.
Below are some of the most interesting candidates who declared for the draft as prospects officially testing the waters with the option to return to the NCAA. We have included the latest information and reporting for each player, and they were sorted alphabetically.
Meanwhile, for more prospect coverage, here is our latest NBA mock draft at For The Win.
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1. Alex Condon
TEAM: Florida
ESPN RANKING: 31
DECISION: TBD
Here is what Jeff Borzello wrote about the decision (via ESPN):
Florida forward Alex Condon has hovered on the first-round borderline for most of the past few months, and was slotted at No. 31 in ESPN's post-lottery mock draft earlier this week. On Wednesday, he said he's waiting for a guarantee from an NBA team, but didn't specify the range.
"I know I'm kind of in that 20-35 range right now," Condon said. "I've got a good situation waiting for me at Florida. I've got teammates that I just won a national championship with. It has to be a good situation for me to stay [in the draft], but the feedback I'm getting from teams right now is positive, and I'm ready to stay in if I need to."
Condon measured above 6-foot-11 barefoot with an 8-foot-11 standing reach.
2. Boogie Fland
TEAM: Arkansas
ESPN RANKING: 42
DECISION: Withdrawn
Former McDonald's All-American guard Boogie Fland decided to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft to "focus on finding a new spot" via the transfer portal.
Some are speculating that the reigning national champions at Florida could make sense as a "real possibility" for his potential destination.
More: 19 best NBA prospects who are also in the NCAA transfer portal, including Yaxel Lendeborg
3. Carter Bryant
TEAM: Arizona
ESPN RANKING: 18
DECISION: Turning pro
Here is what Jeff Borzello wrote about the decision (via ESPN):
Arizona forward Carter Bryant, who rose to No. 14 in ESPN's most recent mock draft, told me he is "completely in" on the NBA draft and closed the door on a return to Tucson.
We have Bryant projected at No. 10 overall in our most recent mock draft.
4. Cedric Coward
TEAM: Duke (via Washington State)
ESPN RANKING: 35
DECISION: TBD
Here is what Jeff Borzello wrote about the decision (via ESPN):
Cedric Coward, whose continued rise as a potential first-round pick was something we wrote about on Tuesday, confirmed he has received strong feedback from NBA teams -- and perhaps enough to convince him to remain in the draft. The Washington State transfer committed to Duke in late April.
"Right now, I'm 100% on the draft. I think talking to Coach [Jon] Scheyer and the staff, they've agreed with me in terms of making sure I can focus solely on the draft," Coward said Wednesday.
"It really depends on what I hear. At the end of the day … the decision I'm going to make is based off the information I get. And right now, the information is definitely leaning towards staying in the draft and I can say that. We got to figure out the best decision to make for myself and the best decision to make for my family as I go forward."
We have Coward projected at No. 23 overall in our most recent mock draft.
5. Darrion Williams
TEAM: Transfer Portal (via Texas Tech)
ESPN RANKING: 46
DECISION: TBD
Darrion Williams spoke about his own decision (via CBS Sports):
"Just decided I wanted to put my full focus onto the combine. It wasn't nothing deeper than that. I haven't even been thinking about college. I haven't been taking any calls. Just focusing on this right now ... I'm going to take it all the way to the deadline on the 28th and I'm going to make the best decision for me ... I'm open to [coming back to school] but I want to be full-in on the draft. I didn't want to be one foot in, one foot out. I wanted to be full. If I have to go back, I'll go back. But I want to stay in the draft."
Williams, who did not have a great performance during his first five-on-five scrimmage, confirmed that returning to Texas Tech is still an option for him as well.
According to Isaac Trotter, the "external expectation" is that Williams returns to college.
6. Isaiah Evans
TEAM: Duke
ESPN RANKING: 44
DECISION: Withdrawn
Although he received an invitation to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, the Duke wing announced he would return to college for his sophomore campaign before the camp in Chicago even began.
7. Jamir Watkins
TEAM: Transfer Portal (via Florida State)
ESPN RANKING: 65
DECISION: TBD
Here is what Isaac Trotter wrote about the decision (via CBS Sports):
Florida State transfer Jamir Watkins, who is no stranger to the NBA Draft Combine, joked that every college basketball team has hit up his agent, but he has not talked with any schools yet. Watkins, who will turn 24-years-old on July 6, would be one of the oldest players in college basketball next season if he doesn't stay in the draft. There are wing-needy programs littered across the high-major landscape, notably North Carolina, Oregon, Kansas and Duke just to name a few.
"Probably who can put me in the best position possible to raise my stock in the draft," Watkins said. "Just a winning program that's going to put me in the tournament."
Watkins measured at 6-foot-5 barefoot with a wingspan more than 6-foot-11 at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.
He had 12 points and 5 rebounds during his first five-on-five scrimmage in Chicago, shooting 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.
8. Karter Knox
TEAM: Arkansas
ESPN RANKING: 65
DECISION: TBD
Here is what he told Isaac Trotter about his decision (via CBS Sports):
"I ain't going to lie, I don't even know. It's really difficult. Every GM is telling me you can't make a bad decision. It's hard, man."
Knox recorded a 39 ½-inch max vertical at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.
He had 8 points (2-of-6 FG) with 5 rebounds and 2 steals during his first scrimmage at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman "would imagine" that Knox heads back to school.
9. Mackenzie Mgbako
TEAM: Texas A&M (via Indiana)
ESPN RANKING: NR
DECISION: TBD
Mgbako was one of the best performers at the NBA G League Elite Camp after scoring 19 points and 22 points in his two scrimmages.
Once he earned the call-up, he then recorded 14 points with 8 rebounds and two blocks during his first scrimmage at the NBA Draft Combine.
He is not someone who is getting a lot of buzz on public mock drafts and big boards right now but that could change after playing well in Chicago.
10. Miles Byrd
TEAM: San Diego State
ESPN RANKING: 51
DECISION: TBD
Here is what Jeremy Woo wrote about the decision (via ESPN):
His productivity in college, particularly as a defensive playmaker, held intrigue for teams all season. Stepping in and showing he belongs in this setting will help. Still just 20 years old, Byrd has the option to return to school if he doesn't feel good about his chances of landing a guaranteed contract.
Byrd scored 11 points while shooting 3-of-6 on 3-pointers and adding four assists during his first scrimmage at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.
He measured just short of 6-foot-5 barefoot but has a 6-foot-10 wingspan and 8-foot-6 ½ standing reach.
11. Milos Uzan
TEAM: Houston
ESPN RANKING: 41
DECISION: TBD
Here is what Jeff Borzello wrote about the decision (via ESPN):
Milos Uzan, a potential top-40 pick, could be the difference between Houston being the preseason No. 1 team in college basketball or the Cougars suffering a dropoff following their run to the national championship game.
But the standout point guard told me he's undecided on whether to return to school.
"Right now, I'm all-in on the draft," Uzan said. "That's the mindset I want to have. I want to show these teams I believe in my play and I believe I belong in this league.
"Coach [Kelvin] Sampson and those guys, they told me, 'man, if you can go get on a team and go get drafted, go do it. But if not, you know where home is.'"
Uzan measured barefoot at 6'3 ¼"with a 6'5 ¼" wingspan and 8'1 ½" standing reach.
He had 2 points (1-of-4 FG) with 4 assists during his first five-on-five scrimmage.
12. Otega Oweh
TEAM: Kentucky
ESPN RANKING: 72
DECISION: TBD
Here is what Raphael Barlowe wrote about the decision (via NBA Big Board):
Off the court, Oweh has a big decision looming. There are rumors that he has a lucrative offer to return to Kentucky, and he's expected to play the process out to the withdrawal deadline before making a final call.
Oweh had 10 points (4-of-8 FG) with 3 rebounds and 3 assists as well as 2 steals during his first five-on-five scrimmage.
He said that "either situation" is a great situation no matter what choice he makes about his future.
13. PJ Haggerty
TEAM: Transfer Portal (via Memphis)
ESPN RANKING: 64
DECISION: TBD
Here is what Isaac Trotter wrote about the decision (via CBS Sports):
The Memphis transfer, who is the top-rated uncommitted player in the 2025 portal rankings, scored a team-high 18 points in Wednesday's scrimmage, but the All-American is expected to play college basketball next year. Haggerty noted that he has not talked to any college teams yet but would want to "play more point guard" if he returns to college next year. NC State is a notable team to watch in a Haggerty chase that's featured some, uh, odd twists and turns.
Haggerty was one of the biggest standouts during five-on-five scrimmages at the NBA Draft Combine.
He could decide to stay in the draft even if he hears that his feedback is in the second round, per Memphis Commercial Appeal.
14. RJ Luis
TEAM: Transfer Portal (via St. John's)
ESPN RANKING: 62
DECISION: TBD
Here is what Isaac Trotter wrote about the decision (via CBS Sports):
All is still quiet with St. John's star RJ Luis, the 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year, who entered the portal with a "Do Not Contact" tag.
"It was about keeping my options open; just a backup plan," Luis said. "I didn't want to hinder St. John's from recruiting other players because this process is really long. I want to play in the NBA. I haven't gone on any visits. I haven't spoken to any coaches. Just fully locked in."
Luis oozed confidence Wednesday despite a frustrating shooting performance in Wednesday's scrimmage. Luis finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists but shot 5-for-15 from the field and didn't make any of his four 3-pointers, which has been a real question for evaluators in the pre-draft process.
"It's more than just the money," Luis said. "It's more about positioning yourself. Say I go back to college, I get a large amount of money, but then what? I'm going to be a year older. Still going to have to do the process again. It's more about finding the right time to go into this. I think this is my moment."
Luis had 12 points with 7 rebounds and 3 assists during his first five-on-five scrimmage at the NBA Draft Combine.
The Big East Player of the year measured barefoot at 6'5 ¾" with a 6'10 ¾" wingspan and 8'7 ½" standing reach.
More: Rick Pitino had a 7-word explanation for benching RJ Luis in St. John's loss to Arkansas
15. Tahaad Pettiford
TEAM: Auburn
ESPN RANKING: 38
DECISION: TBD
Auburn freshman Tahaad Pettiford will need a "guarantee" from a team in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft to turn pro.
Here is what he told Isaac Trotter (via CBS Sports):
"The goal is to go first round. If I can make that happen, I will (stay in the draft). Everything we talked about (with Auburn) is good. We're just waiting for the decision time. If I go back, I'll be there."
During his athletic testing, he recorded a 42-inch max vertical.
Pettiford, who is only just barely above 6-foot barefoot, was arguably the biggest standout during the first day of five-on-five scrimmages.
He recorded 23 points while shooting 4-of-8 on 3-pointers. He also notched 8 assists while recording just one turnover. The guard added two steals during the performance as well.
More: Johni Broome was roasted by Duolingo after poor athleticism at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine
16. Thomas Sorber
TEAM: Georgetown
ESPN RANKING: 23
DECISION: Turning pro
While he originally declared as someone testing the waters, the former freshman standout will officially stay in this class.
Thomas Sorber had one of the best measurements of any player at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. He stands barefoot at 6'9 ¼ with a 7'6' wingspan and 9'1"standing reach.
Sorber expects to hear his name called between the lottery and the mid-20s in the first round, per Chicago Tribune. We have Sorber projected at No. 16 overall in our most recent mock draft.
17. Yaxel Lendeborg
TEAM: Michigan (via UAB)
ESPN RANKING: 26
DECISION: TBD
No one has a more difficult decision than Yaxel Lendeborg.
Here is what Jeff Borzello wrote about the decision (via ESPN):
Michigan commit Yaxel Lendeborg was the highest-ranked draft prospect to participate in Wednesday's scrimmages, and afterwards said he was genuinely torn on whether to remain in the draft.
"I'm pretty even," the former UAB star told me. "I love Michigan, I love the idea of going over there and developing. But the NBA is what everybody wants. I'm dead in the middle now. It's hard.
"My ultimate goal would be to try to crack the top 20. Hopefully I can get that. If not, then it will be a little easier to make my decision."
Lendeborg had 13 points with 9 rebounds and 2 assists while also recording one block and one steal during his first scrimmage at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.
The former UAB star measured above 6-foot-8 with a with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and 9-foot standing reach. His measurements made him perhaps the "biggest winner" in Chicago.
He added that he is looking for a "promise" from an NBA team to stay in the draft. We have Lendeborg projected at No. 22 overall in our most recent mock draft.
18. Yanic Konan Niederhauser
TEAM: Penn State
ESPN RANKING: 85
DECISION: TBD
No one made a name for himself at the G League Elite Camp quite like Yanic Konan Niederhauser.
The 7-foot big man measured with a 37-inch max vertical, which is unheard of for someone his size.
During the 2025 NBA Draft Combine scrimmages, he had 7 points (3-of-4 FG) with 4 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Perhaps a team decides to take a flier on him after he flew under the radar for much of the collegiate season.