On Wednesday, any prospect that wanted to withdraw from the 2024 NBA Draft had to do it that day. Of course, several notable prospects elected to remain in the draft, like USC’s Bronny James, Colorado’s KJ Simpson and San Francisco’s Jonathan Mogbo. However more than a dozen took their name out of the hat, perhaps with an eye on 2025.
While by no means an exhaustive list, here are five of the best players that will return to school in 2024-25.
Michael Ajayi
A junior college transfer last season, Washington native Michael Ajayi left Pierce College averaging 20.4 points and 11.3 rebounds in 23 games. In two seasons, he was named the Northwest Athletic Conference West Region’s Freshman of the Year and Most Valuable Player. Upon transferring to Pepperdine, Ajayi continued pouring it on. The 20-year-old averaged 17.2 points per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the floor and 47.0 percent from beyond the arc.
A three-level scorer and active rebounder, Ajayi will play for Gonzaga in 2024-25.
Johnell Davis
Florida Atlantic’s Johnell Davis is more than a scorer. Averaging career-highs of 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in 2023-24, Davis’s all-around production helped the Owls reach their second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. That said, they didn’t make it past the First Round, and Coward’s substandard performance was a major reason why. Though he tallied 18 points and three steals, he shot 37.5 percent from the field, 16.7 percent from 3, and had nine turnovers.
He’ll want to leave scouts with a better impression than that. However, he won’t be returning to FAU. Now a fifth-year senior, he’ll play for Arkansas under new head coach John Calipari.
Coleman Hawkins
A key cog for a standout program, Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins is a popular prospect. Indeed, he was brought in for predraft workouts with the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. Hawkins must not have liked what he heard though, as he’ll be entering the transfer portal instead of booking a flight to Brooklyn for the draft.
A full-time starter for the past two seasons, Hawkins averaged 12.1 points and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 36.9 percent from 3, all career-highs.
Xaivian Lee
Princeton guard Xaivian Lee was a social media sensation in the 2023-24 season. Just a sophomore, he became a full-time starter for the first time in his collegiate career. Taking advantage of the increased opportunity, he averaged 17.1 points, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steal per game on a .565 true shooting percentage. Showing that he can overcome his average athleticism with savvy and intuitive play, Lee has real NBA potential.
He’ll return to Princeton next season.
Caleb Love
Caleb Love has been one of the better guards throughout his collegiate career. A four-year starter, Love played for the popular UNC Tar Heels for three seasons, averaging 14.6 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. However, he’s been just as streaky as he’s been productive, shooting 36.0 percent from the field and 31.7 percent from 3 in that time.
Upon transferring to Arizona, he had his best season yet. Indeed, he averaged 18.0 points and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 41.3 percent from the field, all career-highs. He’ll return to the Wildcats in 2024-25. He’s aggressive, confident, and skilled, he just needs to continue to develop.
