
The NCAA’s Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline for the 2024 NBA Draft is next Wednesday (May 29th) at 11:59 PM ET.
Check out our list below as we highlight 11 key NBA Draft deadline decisions.
In no particular order:
Mark Sears, Alabama
2023-24 Stats: 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists
The Skinny: If Sears returns to college, the Crimson Tide will be on the short list of favorites to win the 2025 national title. Sears would also be a preseason first-team All-American and a bonafide candidate to be the National Player of the Year. He’s currently not projected to be a first or second round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Alabama is currently ranked SECOND in the ROTHSTEIN 45 with Sears’ projected return.
Jarin Stevenson, Alabama
2023-24 Stats: 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds
The Skinny: The 6-11 Stevenson would be cemented on every breakout list in America if he returns to school for his sophomore season. While he’s not on most draft projections, Stevenson has the type of physical attributes that most pro executives salivate over. He’d be better off returning to Alabama for another year of seasoning. Remember: Stevenson had 19 points off the bench in the Crimson Tide’s Elite Eight win over Clemson. Alabama wouldn’t have made the Final Four for the first time in program history without him.
Caleb Love, Arizona
2023-24 Stats: 18 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists
The Skinny: The reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year has an additional year of eligibility due to COVID and the Wildcats are hoping that he uses it. If Love opts to begin a professional career, Arizona will not return a single double-figure scorer from last season’s team that earned a two seed in the NCAA Tournament. If Love chooses to return to Tucson, he’ll likely be a first-team All-American to begin the 2024-25 season.
Johnny Furphy, Kansas
2023-24 Stats: 9.0 points, 4.9 rebounds
The Skinny: Furphy is in line to be a top-20 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but he’s yet to officially declare his plans. He showed flashes of brilliance during his one year with the Jayhawks, scoring in double figures in 11 of 12 games from Jan. 16th to Feb. 27th. If Furphy returns to Lawrence, he’ll add to a wing core that already features AJ Storr (Wisconsin), Rylan Griffen (Alabama), and Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State).
Coleman Hawkins, Illinois (entered transfer portal)
2023-24 Stats: 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds
The Skinny: Multiple sources have told College Hoops Today that Hawkins is leaning towards staying in the 2024 NBA Draft, but it wouldn’t shock me if he changed his mind. While it’s unlikely that he’d return to Illinois for a fifth season, the 6-10 Hawkins is the type of talent that could command major NIL dollars on the open market. He entered the transfer portal just before the May 1st deadline to ensure that he had options in case he wanted to return to college. Hawkins will be in major demand if he bypasses the 2024 NBA Draft and opts to return to school.
Alex Karaban, UConn
2023-24 Stats: 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds
The Skinny: A two-year starter at power forward during the Huskies’ run to back-to-back national titles, Karaban would be one of the most recognizable faces in college basketball if he returns to Storrs for his junior season. He’s currently not projected to be a first-round pick. For UConn, Karaban’s return would signal the veteran presence it needs to take aim a third consecutive national title under Dan Hurley, who’s won his last 12 NCAA Tournament games by an average of 21.7 points.
David Jones, Memphis
2023-24 Stats: 21.8 points, 7.6 rebounds
The Skinny: The Tigers were 11-2 last season and Jones was on his way to being an All-American before they lost their best defender — Caleb Mills — to a season-ending knee injury. Memphis finished 11-8 in their final 19 games without Mills, mostly because his absence precluded the Tigers from downsizing and using Jones as a small ball power forward. If he returns to school, Jones will instantly be one of the hardest players in the sport to defend.
Matthew Murrell, Ole Miss
2023-24 Stats: 16.2 points, 3.6 rebounds
The Skinny: Murrell publicly stated in March that he planned to begin a professional career, but sources have told College Hoops Today in the past few weeks that his return to Oxford is a real possibility. The 6-4 wing is not currently projected to be a first or second round pick. If Murrell returns to Ole Miss, the Rebels would instantly jump into the top half of the SEC and could start next season in the AP Top 25.
Walter Clayton, Florida
2023-24 Stats: 17.6 points, 3.6 rebounds
The Skinny: Clayton made 21 more three-point shots last season at Florida — 93 — than he did two years ago when he made 72 at Iona. You rarely see that type of a spike in production when a player transfers from a mid-major conference to a power conference. While Clayton isn’t expected to stay in the 2024 NBA Draft, his return is critical for Todd Golden and the Gators, who should be a top-20 team to begin next season if Clayton is in the lineup.
Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest
2023-24 Stats: 18 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists
The Skinny: Sallis was a revelation in Winston Salem last season after transferring from Gonzaga and nearly willed the Demon Deacons to the NCAA Tournament for the first time under Steve Forbes. His return is paramount as to whether or not Wake Forest will be able to again be in the mix for March Madness in 2025. The 6-5 Sallis is currently projected as a second-round pick
Jaxson Robinson, BYU (entered transfer portal)
2023-24 Stats: 14.2 points
The Skinny: Some mock drafts have Robinson pegged as a late-second round pick. A gifted offensive player, the 6-7 wing will be in high demand if he returns to school next season. Robinson has been heavily linked to Kentucky, since he played for new Wildcats head coach Mark Pope during the past few seasons at BYU.
On The Side
- College Hoops Today reported earlier this week that UCLA and Arizona are finalizing an agreement to begin a multi-year series next season at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
- Xavier’s Zach Freemantle (foot) has been fully cleared for all basketball related activities, Sean Miller told College Hoops Today. The 6-9 Freemantle did not play last season, but averaged 15.2 points and 8.1 rebounds two years ago in 22 games during the 2022-23 campaign.
- 10 of Cincinnati’s 15 losses last season were by five points or fewer. The Bearcats are currently ranked 21st in the ROTHSTEIN 45 following the addition of Texas transfer Dillon Mitchell.
- The Big 12 will play its first conference games of the 2024-25 season on Dec. 30th and 31st, a source told College Hoops Today. With the league going to a 20-game conference schedule, each team will play two league games per week next season with no byes.
- Colgate transfer Braeden Smith — the reigning Patriot League Player of the Year — told College Hoops Today that’s recently visited Davidson, Washington, Gonzaga, and Cal. A return to Colgate is also an option. The 6-foot Smith averaged 12.5 points, 5.6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds last season.
Leftovers
- The Breakfast Buffet: Duke takes a trip to Charlottesville, Jaden Bradley, RJ Luis
- The Breakfast Buffet: Johni Broome, JT Toppin, St. John’s is officially playing for seeding
- The Breakfast Buffet: Auburn/Alabama, Houston/Arizona, John Tonje
- Iowa State, Purdue to begin home-and-home series next season at Mackey Arena
- BRACKET BREAKDOWN: February 14th