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Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
19 best NBA prospects who are also in the NCAA transfer portal, including Yaxel Lendeborg
The 2025 NBA Draft is next month but there are still many undetermined decisions that will have a big effect on both this draft class and the NCAA. There are more than 2,000 players who entered the men's college basketball transfer portal this offseason. Advertisement 27 of those players also declared as early entry candidates for the 2025 NBA Draft. Among that list, 20 of those players (including Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg as well as Duke's Cedric Coward and Kentucky's Jaland Lowe) have already committed to new schools for the upcoming NCAA campaign. More: Why a shockingly small number of NCAA basketball players declared for the 2025 NBA Draft Meanwhile, however, 11 players from the transfer portal have simultaneously received invitations to either the 2025 NBA Draft Combine or to the G League Elite Camp. That includes five players (Darrion Williams, Boogie Fland, PJ Haggerty, RJ Luis, and Jamir Watkins) who have yet to commit to a new collegiate program. While one player (Saint John's Joson Sanon) declined, the rest will have the chance to make a case for their professional future in front of NBA scouts and executives. Advertisement Those who did not receive an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine or G League Elite Camp (e.g. USC's Chad Baker-Mazara, Indiana's Tayton Conerway, UConn's Silas Demary Jr., and Mississippi State's Quincy Ballard) have a fairly straightforward answer: They should probably just return to school. But prospects like Lendeborg, Williams, Fland, Haggerty, Luis, Watkins, and Coward will have particularly interesting decisions to make after the 2025 NBA Draft Combine is wrapped. Here are the most interesting candidates who will have until May 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET to withdraw from the draft if they wish to play in the NCAA next season. Players are sorted based on future projections, strength of schedule, and various impact metrics. Note: Nick Kalinowski, Evan Miya, Bart Torvik, Ken Pom, and CBB Analytics were resources for this research. 1. Yaxel Lendeborg UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) looks to pass as Memphis Tigers forward Dain Dainja (42) defends during the first half at Dickies Arena. Former School: UAB Advertisement New School: Michigan Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 6.30 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 7.68 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): 27 NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited 2. Darrion Williams Former School: Texas Tech New School: Uncommitted Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 6.91 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 5.51 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): 46 NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited 3. Chad Baker-Mazara Former School: Auburn New School: USC Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 6.14 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.88 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 4. Boogie Fland Former School: Arkansas Advertisement New School: Uncommitted Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 6.88 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 5.27 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): 53 NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited 5. PJ Haggerty Former School: Memphis New School: Uncommitted Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 5.73 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.44 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): 69 NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited 6. RJ Luis St. John's Red Storm guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) dribbles during the second half of a second round men's NCAA Tournament game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Former School: Saint John's New School: Uncommitted Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 4.31 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 5.29 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): 67 NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited More: Rick Pitino had a 7-word explanation for benching RJ Luis in St. John's loss to Arkansas 7. Tayton Conerway Former School: Troy Advertisement New School: Indiana Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 4.62 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 3.74 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 8. Silas Demary Jr. Former School: Georgia New School: Uconn Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 5.03 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.00 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): NR NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 9. Jamir Watkins Former School: Florida State New School: Uncommitted Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 5.06 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.69 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): 70 NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited WATCH: FSU basketball star Jamir Watkins talks FSU return, new basketball season 10. Quincy Ballard Former School: Wichita State Advertisement New School: Mississippi State Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 3.32 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 5.67 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 11. Jaland Lowe Pittsburgh Panthers guard Jaland Lowe (15) drives to the basket against Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Tae Davis (7) during the first half at Spectrum Center. Former School: Pittsburgh New School: Kentucky Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 5.19 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.68 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited to G League Elite 12. Brenen Lorient Former School: North Texas New School: West Virginia Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 2.16 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 7.18 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): TK NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 13. Mackenzie Mgbako Former School: Indiana Advertisement New School: Texas A&M Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 4.38 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.39 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): TK NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited to G League Elite 14. AK Okereke Former School: Cornell New School: Vanderbilt Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 4.15 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 3.11 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 15. Joson Sanon Former School: Arizona State New School: Saint John's Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 4.37 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.19 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited to G League Elite (Declined) 16. Cedric Coward Washington State Cougars guard Cedric Coward (0) makes an easy lay up against the Eastern Washington Eagles in the first half at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Former School: Washington State Advertisement New School: Duke Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 3.13 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 5.30 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): 54 NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited 17. Melvin Council Jr. Former School: Saint Bonaventure New School: Kansas Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 2.73 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 2.88 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 18. Tae Davis Former School: Notre Dame New School: Oklahoma Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 3.57 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 2.78 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 19. Jaron Pierre Jr. Former School: Jacksonville State Advertisement New School: SMU Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 1.74 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.09 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited to G League Elite This article originally appeared on For The Win: Most impactful 2025 NBA Draft prospects who are also in NCAA transfer portal
USA Today
05-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
19 best NBA prospects who are also in the NCAA transfer portal, including Yaxel Lendeborg
19 best NBA prospects who are also in the NCAA transfer portal, including Yaxel Lendeborg The 2025 NBA Draft is next month but there are still many undetermined decisions that will have a big effect on both this draft class and the NCAA. There are more than 2,000 players who entered the men's college basketball transfer portal this offseason. 27 of those players also declared as early entry candidates for the 2025 NBA Draft. Among that list, 20 of those players (including Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg as well as Duke's Cedric Coward and Kentucky's Jaland Lowe) have already committed to new schools for the upcoming NCAA campaign. More: Why a shockingly small number of NCAA basketball players declared for the 2025 NBA Draft Meanwhile, however, 11 players from the transfer portal have received invitations to either the 2025 NBA Draft Combine or the G League Elite Camp. That includes five players (Darrion Williams, Boogie Fland, PJ Haggerty, RJ Luis, and Jamir Watkins) who have yet to commit to a new collegiate program. Those who did not receive an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine or G League Elite Camp (e.g. USC's Chad Baker-Mazara, Indiana's Tayton Conerway, UConn's Silas Demary Jr., and Mississippi State's Quincy Ballard) have a fairly straightforward answer: They should probably just return to school. But prospects like Lendeborg, Williams, Fland, Haggerty, Luis, Watkins, and Coward will have particularly interesting decisions to make after the 2025 NBA Draft Combine is wrapped. Here are the most interesting candidates who will have until May 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET to withdraw from the draft if they wish to play in the NCAA next season. Players are sorted based on future projections, strength of schedule, and various impact metrics. Note: Nick Kalinowski, Evan Miya, Bart Torvik, Ken Pom, and CBB Analytics were resources for this research. 1. Yaxel Lendeborg Former School: UAB New School: Michigan Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 6.30 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 7.68 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): 27 NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited 2. Darrion Williams Former School: Texas Tech New School: Uncommitted Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 6.91 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 5.51 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): 46 NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited 3. Chad Baker-Mazara Former School: Auburn New School: USC Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 6.14 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.88 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 4. Boogie Fland Former School: Arkansas New School: Uncommitted Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 6.88 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 5.27 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): 53 NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited 5. PJ Haggerty Former School: Memphis New School: Uncommitted Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 5.73 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.44 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): 69 NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited 6. RJ Luis Former School: Saint John's New School: Uncommitted Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 4.31 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 5.29 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): 67 NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited More: Rick Pitino had a 7-word explanation for benching RJ Luis in St. John's loss to Arkansas 7. Tayton Conerway Former School: Troy New School: Indiana Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 4.62 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 3.74 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 8. Silas Demary Jr. Former School: Georgia New School: Uconn Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 5.03 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.00 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): NR NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 9. Jamir Watkins Former School: Florida State New School: Uncommitted Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 5.06 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.69 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): 70 NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited WATCH: FSU basketball star Jamir Watkins talks FSU return, new basketball season 10. Quincy Ballard Former School: Wichita State New School: Mississippi State Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 3.32 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 5.67 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 11. Jaland Lowe Former School: Pittsburgh New School: Kentucky Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 5.19 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.68 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited to G League Elite 12. Brenen Lorient Former School: North Texas New School: West Virginia Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 2.16 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 7.18 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): TK NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 13. Mackenzie Mgbako Former School: Indiana New School: Texas A&M Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 4.38 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.39 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): TK NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited to G League Elite 14. AK Okereke Former School: Cornell New School: Vanderbilt Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 4.15 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 3.11 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 15. Joson Sanon Former School: Arizona State New School: Saint John's Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 4.37 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.19 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited to G League Elite 16. Cedric Coward Former School: Washington State New School: Duke Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 3.13 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 5.30 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): 54 NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited 17. Melvin Council Jr. Former School: Saint Bonaventure New School: Kansas Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 2.73 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 2.88 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 18. Tae Davis Former School: Notre Dame New School: Oklahoma Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 3.57 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 2.78 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Not Invited 19. Jaron Pierre Jr. Former School: Jacksonville State New School: SMU Projected BPR (via Evan Miya): 1.74 Projected BPM (via Nick Kalinowski): 4.09 Big Board Ranking (via ESPN): Not Ranked NBA Draft Combine Status: Invited to G League Elite
USA Today
02-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tracking where the best men's NCAA basketball transfer portal players are headed next
Tracking where the best men's NCAA basketball transfer portal players are headed next A few notable players hit the NCAA men's transfer portal during March Madness and have already made their big decision before the championship game. With more than 1,600 players in the portal within the first two weeks of eligibility, it became especially important for schools and players to make difficult choices as soon as possible so that they could have their commitments ready while NIL money was still available. There are plenty of other talented and impactful who have not yet made a choice about their future, but we will continue to update this post as more rosters are set. More: The best men's NCAA basketball transfer portal players per position, including Donovan Dent Early winners include Louisville, Michigan, Arizona State, Baylor, and Saint John's thus far: Note: Nick Kalinowski, Evan Miya, Bart Torvik, Ken Pom, and CBB Analytics were resources for this research.
