With the 2025 NBA Draft withdrawal deadline set for May 28, college basketball has witnessed a wave of high-profile players choosing to return to school. These decisions are reshaping rosters across the nation as talented prospects prioritize development and NIL opportunities. Here are the confirmed stars who have withdrawn from the draft and will be back on campus for another season.
2025 NBA Draft Withdrawals Confirmed
Tahaad Pettiford
Auburn secured a major victory as Pettiford officially withdrew from the 2025 NBA Draft choosing to return for his sophomore season. Ranked No. 38 on ESPN’s big board the talented guard participated in the full pre-draft process including combine workouts. He averaged 11.6 points per game as a freshman while leading Auburn to the Final Four earning All-Region honors.
BREAKING: Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford will withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to Auburn for his sophomore season, @espn reports. pic.twitter.com/JaiKKmZ3u1
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) May 28, 2025
Yaxel Lendeborg
The projected late first-round pick officially withdrew and will enroll at Michigan for the 2025-26 season. Lendeborg was the No. 1 player in the NCAA transfer portal and projected in the 24-30 range after strong combine showings. The UAB transfer averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals while shooting 55% from two-point range and 36% from three-point range.
NEWS: Yaxel Lendeborg, a projected first-round pick, will withdraw from the NBA draft and enroll at Michigan, he told ESPN.
Massive news for Dusty May, officially adding the No. 1 big man in the transfer portal.
STORY: https://t.co/KVNCJNKuHj pic.twitter.com/lC7cjX0PxM
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 27, 2025
Alex Condon
Florida’s 6’11” center officially withdrew from the draft and will return for his junior season with the defending national champions. Condon averaged 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocks as a sophomore, recording 12 points and seven rebounds in the title game against Houston. The Australian forward was projected as a borderline first-round pick but stated he needed an “almost guaranteed” first-round selection to stay in the draft.
NEWS: Alex Condon will withdraw from the NBA draft and return to Florida, he told ESPN.
Condon played an integral role in Florida’s national championship run, and will have a major say in the Gators’ hopes of repeating.
STORY: https://t.co/v6WYwlRgab pic.twitter.com/g7gAv146rj
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 27, 2025
Joson Sanon
The 6’5″ guard officially withdrew and will play for St. John’s in his sophomore season under Rick Pitino. Sanon transferred from Arizona State and participated in workouts with NBA teams, including the Wizards, Celtics, and Hornets. After receiving feedback indicating second-round opportunities but potential for lottery pick status with additional development, he chose to return to college basketball for further growth.
Karter Knox
The Arkansas sophomore made headlines on May 27 when he withdrew from the NBA Draft despite solid combine performances. The 6’6″ wing with a 6’10” wingspan averaged 9.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in scrimmage games while shooting over 60% in skill sessions. Knox, a former five-star recruit who followed John Calipari from Kentucky, averaged 8.3 points and 3.3 rebounds as a freshman while shooting 46.2% from the field.
NEWS: Houston’s Milos Uzan will withdraw his name from the NBA draft, agent Aman Dhesi of PNW Sports Group told ESPN.
Preseason No. 1 ranking incoming for Kelvin Sampson? pic.twitter.com/OAngZa5HiF
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 27, 2025
Milos Uzan
Houston’s All-Big 12 second team selection withdrew on May 27 to return for his senior season under Kelvin Sampson. Uzan averaged a career-high 11.4 points and 4.2 assists while shooting 42.8% from three-point range during the Cougars’ remarkable 35-5 campaign. He helped lead Houston to Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles, plus a No. 1 seed before falling to Florida in the national championship game.
NEWS: Houston point guard Milos Uzan will withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to Houston, source told@TheFieldOf68 pic.twitter.com/JfaClogezH
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) May 27, 2025
Boogie Fland
The five-star recruit withdrew on May 13 after attending the combine but choosing not to participate fully. Ranked No. 42 in ESPN’s NBA draft rankings, Fland transferred to Florida after entering the portal from Arkansas. The 6’2″ guard averaged 15.1 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds over 18 games before a right-hand injury sidelined him for most of the season.
Isaiah Evans
Duke’s promising freshman withdrew from the draft pool without participating in the combine, returning for his sophomore year. Despite averaging just 13.8 minutes per game as a reserve, the 6’6″ swingman ranked No. 44 on ESPN’s big board due to long-term upside. His decision allows him to pursue a bigger role with the Blue Devils while potentially improving draft position for 2026.
Darrion Williams
The Texas Tech forward withdrew on May 20 following poor combine scrimmage performances despite solid individual drill showings. Williams struggled in live action, leading to his decision to return to college, where NIL earnings likely exceed potential second-round NBA contracts. He has committed to NC State under head coach Will Wade.
Alex Karaban
UConn’s captain announced his return on April 29, withdrawing from the NBA Draft for the second time in his career. Projected as the No. 35 prospect in ESPN’s rankings, Karaban cited “unfinished business” in pursuing another national championship. The All-Big East Second Team selection averaged 14.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while playing a team-high 35.9 minutes per game.
Brenen Lorient
The 6’9″ athletic forward officially withdrew from the draft and will transfer to West Virginia for his senior season under new coach Ross Hodge. Lorient averaged 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 0.9 steals at North Texas while shooting an impressive 47.8% from three-point range on 23 attempts.
PJ Haggerty
The consensus second-team All-American and AAC Player of the Year withdrew on May 26 and committed to Kansas State. After stops at TCU, Tulsa, and Memphis since 2022, the 6’3″ guard averaged 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals for Memphis. Ranked 64th overall on ESPN’s big board, Haggerty chose to continue earning NIL money with less than half of his expected earnings ($4 million) at Kansas State, exceeding $2 million.
Mackenzie Mgbako
The former top-10 high school recruit withdrew on May 27, committing to Texas A&M for his junior season. Mgbako led the G League Elite Camp in scoring with 41 points and 11 rebounds in 41 minutes, earning a combine invite where he added 31 points and 16 rebounds while shooting 13-of-26 from three-point range.
Despite strong performances, the projected second-round pick stated he intends to focus on becoming a first-round pick next year.
Mackenzie Mgbako, a projected second round pick, will withdraw from the NBA draft, and spend his junior season at Texas A&M, agent Sam Rose of CAA told ESPN.
STORY: https://t.co/0f068RHTJN pic.twitter.com/IgSXkpP1SE
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 27, 2025
Jaland Lowe
The Pittsburgh transfer announced his withdrawal on May 22, choosing Kentucky for his junior year. Lowe averaged 16.8 points, 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals for the Panthers despite struggling with efficiency at 37.6% from the floor and 26.6% from three-point range. Though invited to the G League Elite Camp, he wasn’t among ESPN’s top 100 prospects for 2025.
Jerry Deng
The versatile forward withdrew and will transfer to N.C. State for his junior season after spending time at Hampton University and Florida State. At Florida State, Deng averaged 7.0 points and 1.9 rebounds in a limited role. This marks his third collegiate transfer as he seeks expanded opportunities under the new coaching staff.
Melvin Council Jr.
The St. Bonaventure standout decided to withdraw and transfer to Kansas with one year of eligibility remaining. Council averaged 14.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.1 steals in 34 games for the Bonnies while shooting .435/.299/.819. With one year remaining, he’ll be automatically draft-eligible in 2026 regardless of his Kansas performance.
Devin McGlockton
The Boston College transfer officially withdrew and will return to Vanderbilt for another season under Mark Byington. The 6’7″ forward finished third in offensive rating in the SEC and recorded a career-high 30 points on 12-of-15 shooting against Georgia Tech, helping Vanderbilt reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.
Rueben Chinyelu
Florida’s 6’10” center from Nigeria announced his return on May 19 after competing in the NBA G League Elite Camp. Chinyelu started all 40 games for the national champion Gators, averaging 6.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 34 blocked shots with a .599 field goal percentage. He was instrumental in Florida’s improved defense and outstanding +8.4 rebounding margin with four double-doubles, including 19 points and 13 rebounds at LSU.
Rueben Chinyelu to withdraw from 2025 NBA draft, return to Florida https://t.co/Na7cbuLiXD pic.twitter.com/2hSrU44aK0
— Rookie Wire (@RookieWire) May 19, 2025
Silas Demary Jr.
The Georgia transfer officially withdrew on May 19 after transferring to UConn for additional development. The 6’5″ point guard started all 33 games for Georgia, averaging 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting 39.6% from the field and 37.4% from three-point range.
Ranked No. 22 overall in On3’s Transfer Portal Player Rankings, Demary’s best performance came against eventual national champion Florida with 26 points in an 88-83 victory.
Treysen Eaglestaff
The North Dakota standout withdrew on May 20 and committed to West Virginia after three productive seasons. The 6’6″ shooting guard averaged 18.9 points per game, earning All-Summit League second team honors. His scoring prowess included performances like 51 points in the Summit League tournament quarterfinals and 40 points against Alabama with eight three-pointers made.
Transfer guard Treysen Eaglestaff will withdraw from the NBA Draft. A big piece to the #WVU roster build.
Link: https://t.co/y3YQQHwSFn pic.twitter.com/sKa0PLbjsI
— Keenan Cummings (@rivalskeenan) May 20, 2025
Tayton Conerway
The Sun Belt Player of the Year withdrew on May 26 and will transfer from Troy to Indiana for his final season. For the Trojans, Conerway averaged 14.2 points and 4.8 assists per game while leading the NCAA with 2.9 steals per game. His defensive intensity and proven playmaking ability address critical backcourt needs for Mike Woodson’s Indiana program.
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Nate Bittle
Oregon’s 7’0″ senior center withdrew after not receiving a combine invitation, a strong indicator of limited draft prospects. Bittle averaged 8.1 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Ducks while providing rim protection with 1.7 blocks per game. His return stabilizes Oregon’s frontcourt under head coach Dana Altman as the program navigates conference realignment and roster construction.
Tobi Lawal
The 6’8″ forward officially withdrew and will return to Virginia Tech for his senior season. The former VCU transfer led the Hokies with 12.4 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 55.9% from the field and 37.1% from three-point range.
Source: Virginia Tech’s Tobi Lawal will withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft and return to school next season.
Averaged 12.4 PPG and 7.0 RPG last year.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 27, 2025
With the deadline approaching, more undecideds are expected to withdraw. These returning stars promise an exceptionally competitive 2025-26 college basketball season.
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