The 2025 NBA Draft is approaching, with less than a month until the event. The deadline for players to decide whether to remain in the draft or return to college for the 2025-26 basketball season is nearing. Players have until Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET to withdraw and retain their NCAA eligibility.
Several players have already declared their intentions before the deadline. An example is Cedric Coward, a standout from Washington State, projected as a first-round pick. He recently opted to stay in the draft despite having committed to Duke from the transfer portal. Coward’s draft stock has risen significantly following an impressive showing at the NBA Draft Combine.
A notable surprise emerged on Tuesday when Yaxel Lendeborg, a former UAB player, decided to return to college instead of staying in the draft. He will be joining Michigan. Ranking as the top player in the 247Sports transfer portal, Lendeborg will play under coach Dusty May after exiting the draft process.
Recent Notable NBA Draft Decisions
Late Decisions Impacting the Draft
Nate Bittle, Oregon
Draft decision: Returning to Oregon
Bittle has decided to withdraw from the NBA Draft and will return for his senior year at Oregon. This 7-foot, 240-pound center has been recognized as one of the elite stretch bigs in college basketball, having shot 40% from the three-point line in Big Ten play while boasting a high block percentage.
The return of Bittle positions Oregon with one of the strongest duos in college basketball, rivaled only by Purdue’s prominent point guard-big man pairing. — Isaac Trotter
With the deadline approaching, many players are weighing their decisions on whether to pursue their NBA aspirations or continue to develop their skills in college basketball. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.
