The 2025 NBA Draft Combine has wrapped up in Chicago, leaving dozens of prospects facing career-defining decisions with the NCAA withdrawal deadline of May 28 approaching. Financial incentives on both sides of the equation have created a complex landscape where second-round projections no longer automatically push players toward staying in the draft.
With NIL deals reaching new heights in college basketball, the traditional calculus has shifted dramatically. First-round selections receive guaranteed contracts, while second-round picks face uncertainty, making the decision process more nuanced than ever before. Several high-profile athletes now find themselves at this pivotal crossroads, with their basketball futures hanging in the balance.
College Bound: Players Opting to Return to Campus
The elite programs scored major wins when several prospects chose education and development over immediate professional opportunities.
Isaiah Evans: Duke freshman withdrew before the combine despite receiving an invitation, choosing to return for his sophomore season in Durham. This decision provides Duke with valuable continuity as they look to compete for a national championship.
Boogie Fland: Fland withdrew from the draft process. He scheduled his visit to Florida on 19th May, to consider his decision for college basketball, his commitment to Florida would be significant as they look to rebuild their guard rotation.
Combine Fallers: Prospects Whose Stock Took a Hit
Ace Bailey: Rutgers star faced scrutiny after measuring just 6’7″ without shoes at the combine despite being listed at 6’10” by his college program. While height discrepancies are common, the 2.5-inch difference raised questions among scouts evaluating a projected top-5 pick. His vertical testing numbers also disappointed compared to teammate Dylan Harper.
Derik Queen: Maryland’s star had perhaps the most disappointing combine performance. Measuring 6’0″ and 247.8 pounds, Queen’s athletic testing results were particularly poor compared to other big men in combine history. As one report noted, “Queen seems to be a pure upside gamble. He lacks role player skills, offering minimal rim protection or defensive switchability, and he doesn’t stretch the floor with three-point shooting.”
Johni Broome: Auburn also saw multiple players struggle, with him identified as “fallers” in draft stock analysis. This was especially disappointing for Pettiford, who had previously impressed with 23 points and eight assists in scrimmage action on Wednesday, briefly boosting his first-round potential before regressing.
The Undecided: Prospects on the Fence
Alex Condon: Alex finds himself in one of the most intriguing positions after helping Florida capture a national championship. Currently projected between picks 20-35, he’s directly on the first-round borderline. “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.”
Yaxel Lendeborg: Michigan commit described himself as completely torn about his options. “I’m pretty even” Lendeborg told reporters. “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.” The former UAB standout indicated cracking the top 20 would make his decision much easier.
Cedric Coward: Coward’s meteoric rise has been one of the draft’s most compelling stories. After beginning at DIII Willamette Salem and transferring to Washington State, he’s now committed to Duke while exploring his professional options. “It’s dependent on the feedback I receive” Coward explained. “Ultimately, my decision will be guided by the information I gather, and right now, it leans towards staying in the draft.”
The full commitment to pursuing professional dreams has been made clear by several standout prospects.
Arizona’s Carter Bryant has fully committed to remaining in the draft despite averaging fewer than seven points per game as a freshman. “I’m completely in” Bryant told reporters, closing the door on a return to Arizona.
Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber, North Carolina’s Drake Powell and Alabama’s Labaron Philon have also firmly committed, with Philon telling reporters “I’m all-in on the draft” having already informed his college coach of his decision.
KEEP READING: Why College Basketball Players Keep Transfer Options Open After Declaring for the NBA Draft
As the May 28 deadline looms, these pivotal decisions will dramatically reshape both NBA Draft boards and collegiate rosters nationwide. Some prospects will secure coveted first round guarantees while others will return to campus, armed with professional feedback and renewed purpose.
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