The 2025 NBA draft withdrawal deadline marked a pivotal moment in both the NBA draft process and the college basketball offseason. As the clock struck midnight ET on Wednesday, the fate of numerous prospects was sealed, shaping the landscape for both the upcoming draft and the 2025-26 college basketball season.

Key Players and Their Decisions

Several top prospects made their intentions clear before the deadline. Carter Bryant (Arizona), Drake Powell (North Carolina), and Thomas Sorber (Georgetown) solidified their commitment to the draft, while Boogie Fland (Florida) and Darrion Williams (NC State) opted to withdraw and return to school. The decisions of around 15 other notable players added suspense, as they weighed feedback from the combine, agency pro days, and final NBA workouts.

Impact of NIL Deals on the Draft

NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals have significantly altered the landscape. The number of early-entrant candidates (106) was the lowest in a decade, with several draftable prospects withdrawing, making this one of the shallowest second rounds in recent years. NBA teams have expressed concerns about assembling summer league and G League rosters, but this bottleneck is expected to clear as players exhaust their NCAA eligibility.

College Basketball Winners and Losers

Florida emerged as a major winner, with the return of Boogie Fland and Alex Condon boosting their chances of defending their title. Houston, Michigan, Auburn, and Kentucky also benefited from key players returning. On the other hand, Penn State suffered a blow with Yanic Konan Niederhauser staying in the draft. Additionally, schools like North Carolina, Kansas, and Georgetown missed out on top transfer targets RJ Luis Jr. and Jamir Watkins, who opted to remain in the draft.

Prospects to Watch in the 2026 Draft

Several players returning to school have the potential to rise in the 2026 draft. Joseph Tugler (Houston) and Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn) are among the top prospects to watch. Tugler's defensive prowess and Pettiford's athleticism and scoring ability make them stand out. Additionally, Bennett Stirtz (Drake to Iowa) and Zuby Ejiofor (St. John's) are under-the-radar prospects who could make significant strides in the upcoming season.

Conclusion

The 2025 NBA draft withdrawal deadline has set the stage for an exciting 2025-26 college basketball season. With NIL deals influencing decisions and top teams bolstering their rosters, the upcoming season promises to be highly competitive. Keep an eye on the emerging stars who could make a significant impact in the 2026 NBA draft.