The 2025 NBA Draft is fast approaching, and the pool of draft-eligible players has now been finalized.
This year, early entrants had until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 28, to withdraw from the NBA Draft process and maintain their NCAA eligibility. Many players who elect to return to college have tested the NBA Draft waters for feedback before returning to their original college or transferring to a different institution.
In the era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), many fringe draft picks return to college for more security and a higher payday while also improving their draft stock with their performance. The compensation of college players adds a wrinkle to the pre-draft process, with some notable players electing to return to school.
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With the May 29 deadline fast approaching, here's an up-to-date look at notable players who have withdrawn from the 2025 NBA Draft.
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Who has withdrawn from 2025 NBA Draft?
Alex Condon, Florida
Condon was projected as a late first-round or early second-round pick, but will return to Florida for his junior year in 2025-26. He averaged 10.4 points and 7.5 rebounds and will now look to increase his role during the Gators' pursuit of a second consecutive title.
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Michigan landed Lendeborg in the transfer portal from UAB and now he'll head to Michigan for his third and final year of Division I basketball. Lendeborg is 6-9 and 240 pounds and does it all — he averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season and will look to put up similar figures in maize and blue.
Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
Pettiford was one of the trendier names in the draft process after coming on strong to end his freshman season at Auburn. He'll now return to The Plains for a second season, where he is expected to improve his stock and become a surefire first-round pick in 2026.
Isaiah Evans, Duke
Evans was a big part of Duke's success during the 2024-25 season and was a trendy prospect to go in the late first or early second round. He will return to Duke and conceivably play a big role as a returner on a team with perennial national title aspirations.
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Boogie Fland, Florida
After spending his freshman season at Arkansas, Fland is returning to college to play for a different SEC school. Fland is a talented point guard who also would have gone in the late first or early second, but now gets a chance to be the newest guard in a Florida system that benefits the backcourt.
Karter Knox, Arkansas
Knox came up big in big moments as a freshman in 2024-25, including his games of 15 and 20 points during March Madness. He trended as an intriguing prospect, but he stands to help himself by being a consistent contributor during his second season at Arkansas.
Milos Uzan, Houston
The conversation around Uzan wasn't as consistent as he was believed to be a mid-second-round pick capable of growing into a bigger role. Instead, he'll return to the national runner-up to try and get the Cougars over the hump and win their first-ever title.
Darrion Williams, NC State
Williams left Texas Tech to test the draft waters and, after withdrawing, will head to Raleigh, N.C., as part of Will Wade's first class of transfers. After averaging 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game with the Red Raiders, Williams will play a major role for the Wolfpack in 2025-26.
PJ Haggerty, Kansas State
While not viewed by all as a draft prospect, Haggerty will be well compensated after leaving Memphis to play his final year in Manhattan, Kansas. He'll reportedly receive a $2 million base package with $500,000 in incentives, numbers commensurate for a Second-team All-American who averaged 21.7 points per game last season.
Otega Oweh, Kentucky
Oweh will be returning to the Wildcats after averaging 16.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game this past season. A former transfer from Oklahoma, Oweh is set to be a significant piece and go-to scorer once again for Kentucky in his fourth collegiate season.
Labaron Philon, Alabama
Philon will be passing on the 2025 NBA Draft to return for his sophomore year at Alabama. The guard averaged 10.6 points and 3.8 assists as a freshman for the Crimson Tide. Just 19 years old, Philon will now focus his development on the future, while one of the draft's projected late-first or early-second-round point guards is off the board.
MORE: Complete 2-round NBA Mock Draft after 2025 Draft Lottery
Who has declared for the 2025 NBA Draft?
Cedric Coward, Washington State
Aside from the can't-miss prospects expected to go in the lottery, the biggest name to remain in this draft is Coward. His name has quickly become a trendy one thanks to his measurements and two-way potential. Coward began his college career at the Division III level before transferring to Eastern Washington as a sophomore and Washington State as a senior.
He planned on using his final year at Duke, but will not step on campus in Durham, N.C., as he affirmed his intentions to remain in the draft on May 24.
Adou Thiero, Arkansas
Injuries kept Thiero out of the lineup for most of the season's final stretch. He returned for the Razorbacks' loss to Texas Tech in the Sweet 16, but wasn't nearly himself.
Despite the injury and his limited role in the finale, Thiero averaged 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists over 27 games as a sophomore. Expect to see him selected in the late first round or early second round and has high upside as an athletic wing with room for growth.
Jamir Watkins, Florida State
Watkins was a highly sought-after player in the transfer portal but will remain in the NBA Draft. The 23-year-old began his career at VCU before transferring to Florida State, where he averaged 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in 2024-25.
He's a 6-7 wing who has been projected as a mid-to-late second-round pick in mock drafts.
RJ Luis Jr., St. John's
Luis entered the portal and tested the draft waters after a controversial final game in a Red Storm uniform. Despite being "the most coveted player left in the transfer portal," Luis has decided to remain in the NBA Draft, where he is currently projected to go late in the second round or undrafted.
When is the 2025 NBA Draft?
- Date: Wednesday, June 25, and Thursday, June 26
- Time (ET): 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.
This year marks the second year that the NBA Draft will take place over two days.
The first round of the NBA Draft takes place on Wednesday, June 25 and the second round will be on Thursday, June 26.