The 2025 NBA draft class already has a ton of hype for next year. However, this hype is due to a plethora of blue-chip high school recruits that project well at the NBA level. What about the college returners though for the 2025 NBA draft?
While the freshmen have deservedly received all the hype, there are always first-round picks that aren’t one-and-done. Let’s take a look at the best 2025 NBA draft prospects who will be college returners for the upcoming season.
2025 NBA Draft Prospects: Top College Returners
Collin Murray-Boyles: South Carolina, Sophomore
After receiving 2024 NBA draft buzz, Collin Murray-Boyles returns to South Carolina with hopes of an even better campaign. Murray-Boyles was the number 64 overall prospect in the class of 2023 but had a breakout freshman season for the Gamecocks. He’s a strong body at six-foot-seven and 230 pounds.
Scouts love Murray-Boyles’ defensive versatility as he showed he could guard multiple positions in the SEC. He’s the type of player who could play small-ball center and switch onto teams’ small forwards. For this season, he will want to improve his perimeter shooting immensely and be more versatile on offense. Attempting more perimeter jumpers would be a great start as he only attempted five three-pointers last season. If the perimeter game improves though, he is easily a 2025 NBA draft candidate and one of the top returners in college basketball.
Kwame Evans: Oregon, Sophomore
Kwame Evans is one of the higher-profile prospects to return to school. As a freshman, Evans played on an Oregon team that lost to Creighton in a double-overtime thriller in March Madness. In his sophomore season, he will see an increased role that should prove fruitful for his draft stock. Evans averaged 7.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and one block per game last year.
Evans’ game is based around a finesse style of play combined with his six-foot-nine and 220-pound frame. He didn’t shoot at great percentages, but his shooting stroke and touch around the rim show promise on the perimeter. He also shot 79.5 percent from the free-throw line, which is a good indicator that he should improve his shooting numbers. Scouts also like Evans’ activity on the glass and he has good defensive versatility/mobility at his size. If he can put up efficient numbers on increased volume, he should hear his name on draft night.
Hunter Sallis: Wake Forest, Senior
Hunter Sallis was thought to be a first-round pick, particularly after an explosion of 29 points against Duke. Sallis had a breakout junior season at Wake Forest after transferring from Gonzaga. He averaged 18.0 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game.
Sallis is a smooth lead guard who can get buckets in a hurry. He’s six-foot-five with a wiry frame and can regularly create his own shot. He also shows plus athleticism in transition and goes for highlight dunks on occasion. As one of the college returners looking to boost NBA draft stock, Sallis will need to answer positional questions on both ends. Can he effectively defend guards with physicality, and can he play the point guard position full-time?
Alex Karaban: UConn, Junior
Alex Karaban was considered an NBA draft prospect throughout the entirety of his sophomore season. He’s easily one of the top college returners as an NBA draft prospect, but Karaban’s profile hasn’t changed much throughout his career. This makes it interesting to see if he can take his game to another level this season. Karaban is a six-foot-eight forward with great spot-up shooting ability. He’s finished the season at 37.9 percent three-point shooting on 5.5 attempts per game.
Karaban’s draft stock is currently limited by his lack of athleticism and mobility, specifically on the defensive end. However, teams looking for a solid knockdown shooter with plus size should definitely have Karaban on their radar. He should also have the opportunity to show more of his game in his junior season. He’s won two back-to-back national championships on loaded UConn rosters each season.
Adou Thiero: Arkansas, Junior
Adou Thiero has the size and archetype that’s usually safe to bet on as an NBA draft prospect. Thiero is 225 pounds at a listed six-foot-eight and is a very fluid mover. He also possesses good length and uses his physical tools to be very effective on defense. He projects as a versatile NBA piece who can be the primary defender on guards and forwards alike. Thiero spent his first two seasons at Kentucky and now will follow coach Calipari to Arkansas for his junior season.
He’s one of the most intriguing college returners, and NBA draft scouts will be looking for one thing. Offense. Thiero only attempted 22 threes on the season, and defenders often sagged off of him. On the positive side, he has great ball-handling ability as he used to be a guard before hitting a massive growth spurt and gaining weight. If he can become a perimeter shooter at just a decent clip, he has the perfect archetype to be a successful NBA wing.
