Wake Forest star Juke Harris made a surprising decision today. Just days after getting an invite to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine, Harris officially withdrew from the draft and will instead head to Tennessee for another year of college basketball. The move immediately sparked debate across social media and fans had plenty to say about the whole situation.
As soon as the news broke, fans flooded social media with mixed reactions
“NIL money better nowadays,” one user wrote, showcasing a sentiment that’s becoming very common in college sports as we have seen many players choosing to withdraw from the draft.
“Its so crazy to me these people just dont want to go to the NBA,” another fan posted.
Some even called for rule changes to prevent situations like this, “Exactly, nobody got heart no more. They gotta change the rules to where if you declare for the draft you immediately forgo your eligibility and then we won’t have weird cases like this no more.” a user wrote.
But not everyone saw it negatively.
“Big call. Juke Harris betting on another year to raise his stock—could pay off big if he levels up,” another user wrote.
Harris has already proven that he can score at a high level, but questions about his consistency, and efficiency still remain. Another year in college gives him a chance to refine those areas against elite competition.
There’s also the financial reality. With NIL deals continuing to grow, top college players can now earn significantly more money while improving their draft stock, which in return reduces the urgency to jump to the NBA early.
Harris now joins a program that’s building one of the strongest transfer classes in the country. His experience makes him a centerpiece for the Volunteers heading into next season.
If he builds on his breakout year and shows growth in key areas, he could go from late first-rounder to a lottery pick prospect.
Overall, we can call it a calculated move that could be risky if things go wrong.
Juke Harris Commits to Tennessee
Harris was considered a potential late first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. After a breakout season at Wake Forest, the 6-foot-7 guard became one of the fastest-rising players in college basketball.
He averaged 21.4 points, with 6.5 rebounds per game. And instead of capitalizing on that momentum immediately, he is choosing a different path.
By committing to Tennessee under Rick Barnes, he’s clearly prioritizing staying in college for another year, and increasing his draft ceiling for the 2027 NBA Draft.
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