NEW YORK — How NCAA draft withdrawal decisions change the college landscape stands as the biggest news across basketball following the midnight deadline. College underclassmen had until late Wednesday night to pull their names out of professional consideration to keep their remaining school eligibility. With total early entries reaching their lowest levels in over two decades, several top talents made shock choices to return to school. These late choices alter 2027 draft boards as well as completely shake up the balance of power across the nation.
How NCAA Draft Withdrawal Decisions Change College Landscape
How NCAA draft withdrawal decisions change the college landscape with top guards
The midnight deadline brought massive wins for programs looking to secure elite playmaking. Several highly rated prospects decided that another year of development outweighed entering the 2026 draft with uncertain positioning. Of course, NIL money made that decision easier.
| PROSPECT NAME | POSITION | FORMER SCHOOL | 2026-27 TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tounde Yessoufou | Forward | Baylor | St. John's |
| Tyler Tanner | Point Guard | Vanderbilt | Vanderbilt |
| Jeremy Fears Jr. | Point Guard | Michigan State | Michigan State |
| Milan Momcilovic | Forward | Iowa State | Transfer Portal |
Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner was one of the biggest names to make a late move. After scoring 19.5 points per game on 49% shooting as a sophomore, Tanner looked like a solid first-round talent. However, his sub-six-foot height caused concern among professional scouts, forcing him to head back to campus. In the Big Ten, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo keeps his main playmaker as Jeremy Fears Jr. returns to school following a season where he averaged 15.2 points and an elite 9.4 rebounds per game. These choices show how deep the talent pool remains for next winter.
How NCAA draft withdrawal decisions change college landscape through the portal
The deadline also added high-level fuel to the open transfer market. Instead of returning to their old schools, some players are using their choice to change their team paths entirely, creating a secondary NIL market explosion across the country.
Baylor's Tounde Yessoufou — a potential first-round pick — has withdrawn from the 2026 NBA draft and committed to St. John's Red Storm men's basketball program to play for Rick Pitino, his agency THE TEAM tells ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 28, 2026
The biggest story came from potential first-round pick Tounde Yessoufou. The former Baylor forward pulled out of the draft and instantly committed to play for Rick Pitino at St. John’s. Yessoufou brings elite physical traits to the Red Storm, measuring in at nearly 220 pounds with a massive 6-foot-10 wingspan during his recent combine testing. His arrival instantly makes St. John’s a major threat. Meanwhile, Iowa State shooter Milan Momcilovic also withdrew after hitting 49% of his threes as a junior. He entered the transfer portal instead of returning to the Cyclones, setting up a massive bidding war for his elite floor spacing.
How NCAA draft withdrawal decisions change college landscape for 2027 draft stock
The long-term impact of these choices will be felt down the line, as the 2027 NBA draft prospects pool gets a major boost in overall depth. Scouts are already projecting how these returning players will look after another full year of college coaching.
Alabama forward Amari Allen chose to run it back for his second season after showing flashes of elite talent. He put up 11.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game for the Crimson Tide. By staying in school, Allen has a clear runway to turn his draft stock into a potential lottery pick for next year’s class.
Teams are recognizing that staying in school to build an identity can prevent them from getting lost on bench units at the next level. Thanks to these midnight moves, the college game stays loaded with elite players, while professional front offices must wait a bit longer to secure these top-tier pieces.
Credit:© Chris Jones-Imagn Images
