The 2026 NBA Draft Combine is halfway over, and there have certainly been some winners and losers. However, the big question is which players still in the draft will return to college.
2026 NBA Draft Combine Prospects Likely to Return to School
Thursday marked the second day of scrimmages at the NBA Draft Combine. Ryan Conwell, who had a huge senior season at Louisville, led the day with 21 points as he was 5 of 8 from the 3-point line while adding five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Otega Oweh, who improved in each of his four collegiate seasons, also finished the day with 21 points on 6 of 14 shooting with five rebounds and one steal.
North Carolina transfer commit Matt Able and Florida junior Reuben Chinyelu were among the early draft college entrants who showed out yesterday. Able finished with 17 points on 6 of 16 shooting from the field, including 4 of 9 from the 3-point line, along with four rebounds and one assist. Meanwhile, Chinyelu was tremendous on the boards and posted a double-double with 14 points on 7 of 14 shooting from the field and 15 rebounds.
The 2026 NBA draft takes place on June 23-24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. However, there are a few important dates between now and then. The next big date is May 27, when 60 of the 72 early draft entrants will have to decide to return to college or remain in the draft. Overall, 41 of the 72 total early entrants are participating in the NBA draft combine.
AJ Dybantsa, Darius Acuff, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, Caleb Wilson, Keaton Wagler, Nate Ament, Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries, and Mikel Brown Jr. are among the 18 early college entrants certain to remain in the 2026 NBA draft. However, several players are still weighing whether to stay or go.
Matt Able Among The 2026 NBA Draft Combine Propects Deciding Whether to Return To School or Stay In Draft
Able is one of a handful of prospects still considering whether to stay in the draft or head back to school. Able has performed well in the scrimmages at the NBA Combine, though he was only okay during the shooting drills.
“I’m still going back and forth,” Able said during the Combine’s media day. “I had a pretty good showing (Wednesday), and I’m excited to see what that brings about, but it’s really tough because I want to make sure I’m making the best decision for me.”
The 18-year-old guard, who came off the bench this year, showed improvement late in the season as a freshman at NC State. He scored in double-figures 14 times and averaged 8.8 points a game with shooting splits of 41.6/35.5/79.6.
Able stands at 6-foot-3.75 barefoot and 195.8 pounds with a 6-foot-8.25 wingspan. During the Combine’s mandatory shooting, Able placed 11th in spot-up shooting (17 of 25), though he was just 25th in the 3-point star drill (13 of 24). But, he has thrived during the scrimmages, totaling 32 points on 11 of 25 shooting (44%) and 7 of 14 from deep (50%). He also added seven rebounds and a pair of assists.
“(Being a first round projection) would definitely make me want to stay in the draft a little bit more,” Able continued. “First round is a big thing. I think another big thing is fit and situation. Obviously, trades happen, but being in the right fit and situation is a really big thing — having the opportunity to play.”
If Able doesn’t remain in the 2026 draft — he is a consensus mid-second round selection — the Sarasota (FL) native will head to Chapel Hill and join Mike Malone‘s Tar Heels program. He will give the Heels 11 players on their 2026-27 roster, following yesterday’s commitment of 2026 our-star wing Kevin Thomas, meaning Malone still has work to do.
Able projects as a key member of the Tar Heels backcourt this fall if he. He could come off the bench or start at the 3, if Malone decides to go with a three-guard lineup along with Utah transfer Terrence Brown and Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas.
Christian Anderson (Texas Tech), Koa Peat (Arizona) and Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor), Malachi Moreno (Kentucky) are among the other players who could stay in the draft or stay in the draft.
10 2026 NBA Draft Combine Propects Deciding Whether to Return To School or Stay In Draft
Amari Allen, Alabama Crimson Tide
Amari Allen had a strong all-around freshman campaign. The All- SEC Freshman Team selection averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds (1.7 offensive), 3.1 assists, and 1.0 steals. He drained 1.5 threes a game with shooting splits of 44.6/34.1/73.8.
“Obviously, first round,” Allen said about what will go into his decision about staying in the NBA or returning to school. “If it was second round, I would go back to school. I definitely feel I can go back to college and be a 20 [pointers per game] and 10 [rebounds per game] guy. Ultimately, though, I want to go to the NBA.”
Allen would figure to have a bigger role offensively if he returns to the Crimson Tide. The 6-5 forward does need to improve his shooting, especially from deep.
Allen figures to solidify Bama’s roster if he does return. Allen would give the Crimson Tide 13 players for next year, though Aden Hollloway’s status remains in question after being arrested for drug possession. The Tide, which has brought in seven newcomers, could add one or two more players.
Rueben Chinyelu, Florida Gators
Chinyelu has had an impressive performance at the NBA draft combine, but 6-10 big is still expected to be a second-round selection. Chinyelu’s return to Florida would make the Gators national title contenders, as Thomas Haugh and Alex Cordon have decided to return. The reigning Naismith Defensive Player of the Year is the lone missing piece for the Gators. His return means the Gators return six of their top nine players from a season ago.
“Rueben is a really bright dude. He has seen his progression since he got here,” Gators head coach Todd Golden said last month. ” He was one of the best defensive player and one of the best rebounder if not the best rebounder in America, and his offensive game came along. Why can’t he make the big jump and go into what is widely considered a weaker draft the next year and potentially play his way into the middle of the first round?
Flory Bidunga, Louisville Cardinals
Flory Bidunga showed massive growth in year two with Kansas, averaging 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks this past season. The 2025-26 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and top-rated transfer moved to Louisville this spring and is one of six transfers and nine newcomers. He is projected to start at center for the Cardinals, who currently have 11 scholarship players on their roster and potentially could add two or three other players.
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State Spartans
Jeremy Fears, a second-team All-American, returning to MSU would mean the Spartans will have one of the top point guards in the Big Ten. Fears, who has been Tom Izzo’s starting lead guard the past two seasons, had his best collegiate season this past year with 15.7 points and 9.4 assists. If he does indeed return to the Spartans, it would give them 14 players for 2026-27 with nine returnees.
Jacob Cofie, USC Trojans
Jacob Cofie is an athletic, defensive-oriented big man who is fairly efficient around the rim. Cofie’s return would likely round out the Trojans scholarship players for 2026027 as he would be the team’s 13th. He would only be the Trojans’ third returning player, joining Alijah Arenas and Rodney Rice.
Billy Richmond III, Arkansas Razorbacks
Billy Richmond doubled his scoring production while increasing his efficiency in year two with the Razobacks. Richmond, a part-time starter, averaged 11.2 points along with 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists with shooting splits of 56.3/25.9/78.4. He produced one double-double and scored in double figures 22 times, topping the 20-point mark five times.
Richmond’s return would give the Razorbacks 11 players, including nine on scholarships, for 2026-27. The 6-5 forward is projected to be the only one of three Razorbacks projected to return, as Meleek Thomas is expected to remain in the draft along with Darius Acuff.
John Blackwell, Duke Blue Devils
John Blackwell is a three-level scorer who is coming off a career season, averaging 19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists as a junior at Wisconsin. The 6-4 guard, who drained a career-best 2.8 threes in 2025-26, transferred to Duke this spring. If Blackwell does indeed come back to college, he will be the 14th player for the Blue Devils in 2026-27, including nine newcomers.
Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois Fighting Illini
Andrej Stojakovic improved his offensive efficiency in his first season with the Illini after starting his collegiate career at Stanford and playing one season at Cal. He averaged 13.5 points on 50% shooting and 4.5 rebounds last season. His impending return means the Illini will bring back five of their top eight players from a year ago, giving them 14 players on the roster for 2026-27.
Milan Momcilovic, Transfer Portal
Milan Momcilovic has developed into an elite shooter in his three seasons at Iowa State. The 6-8 forward had a career year last season, compiling 16.9 points and 3.7 threes while shooting 50.6% from the field and 48.7% from deep.
“If I can get [drafted in] the first round, late first round, I’m going to stay [in the draft],” Momcilovic said, via SI.com. “A second-round team that can guarantee me a good contract, I’d probably stay [in the draft].”
Momcilovic has been linked to Kentucky, St. John’s, Louisville, and UCLA if he remains in the draft.
Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt Commodores
Tyler Tanner, an electric scorer, took a huge step forward in his development in year two at Vandebilt. The 6-foot point guard averaged 19.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while shooting 48.5/36.8/85.3. He produced one double-double and had 16 20-point games along with two 30-point efforts.
Tanner’s return would be massive for the Commodores. He would be the 13th player to commit to the Commodores for 2026-27, including eight newcomers.
David Banks-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
