NBA Prospects Define Their Future: Draft or College?
Chicago – Several college basketball players, projected to be selected in the upcoming NBA draft, have announced their decisions on whether to stay in college or enter the draft. Among them, names like Carter Bryant and Thomas Sorber stand out, who could be selected in the first round, as well as Drake Powell and Labaron Philon, who could be chosen in the second round.
Bryant and Sorber chose to remain in the draft, which was not a surprise. Bryant has climbed positions in the projections and Sorber occupies the 23rd position in the NBA draft rankings.
Carter Bryant, a 6-foot-8 forward from Arizona, only started five games last season, but NBA teams are interested in his size, perimeter shooting ability, and defensive versatility. He averaged 6.5 points last season.
Sorber, for his part, was one of the best freshman big men at Georgetown, averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 24 games before suffering a foot injury that prevented him from playing the rest of the season.
Drake Powell, North Carolina forward, who proved to be an outstanding athlete at this week’s draft combine, stated that he is “fully committed to the draft” and that the “door is closed” to return to Chapel Hill. Powell, ranked number 32 in the NBA draft rankings, averaged 7.4 points as a rookie for the Tar Heels.
“Hubert Davis has been very supportive during this process and I am glad he has been,” Powell said. “I have known him for a long time and we have built our relationship and he is happy for me.”
Drake Powell
Alabama guard Philon joined the aforementioned trio in declaring his intention to remain in the NBA draft, stating that he was “fully committed to the draft.” Philon is ranked No. 43 in NBA draft rankings after averaging 10.6 points and 3.8 assists as a freshman.
Philon has already informed his coach Nate Oats of his decision and confirmed that the door is closed for a return.
Meanwhile, Duke’s recent signing, Cedric Coward, and Florida’s center, Alex Condon, left open the possibility of returning, both seeking more information before making a decision.
Coward, a 6-foot-6 transfer from Washington State, was ranked No. 35 in the NBA draft rankings entering the draft combine. He averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and shot 40% from 3-point range in six games last season before missing the rest of the campaign due to a shoulder injury.
“Right now, I’m 100% in the draft,” Coward told reporters. “I think in talking with Coach [Jon] Scheyer and the staff, they were in agreement with me as far as making sure I can focus solely on the draft.”
Cedric Coward
Condon, who helped Florida win the national championship last season, is ranked No. 31 in the NBA draft rankings after averaging 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds.
“I know I’m in that 20-35 range right now,” he said. “I have a good situation waiting for me in Florida. I have teammates I just won a national championship with. It has to be a good situation for me to stay [in the draft], but the feedback I’m getting from teams right now is positive and I’m ready to stay if necessary.”
Alex Condon
Yaxel Lendeborg, who transferred from UAB earlier this spring, was the highest-rated prospect to participate in Wednesday’s scrimmages. The projected first-round pick clarified comments from earlier this week where he said he was 60-40 in favor of withdrawing from the draft and playing for the Wolverines.
“I’m pretty torn,” Lendeborg said. “I love Michigan, I love the idea of going there and developing. But the NBA is what everybody wants. I’m in the middle right now. It’s tough.”
Yaxel Lendeborg
Milos Uzan, who helped Houston reach the national championship game last season, averaged 11.4 points and 4.3 assists and has boosted his value to become a borderline top-40 pick.
“Right now, I’m all in on the draft,” he said. “That’s the mindset I want to have. I want to show these teams that I believe in my game and I believe I belong in this league.”
Milos Uzan
But he hasn’t closed the door on a return to the Cougars, who could be the preseason No. 1 team in the country if Uzan returns.
Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn’s point guard, was possibly the best player in Wednesday’s scrimmages, finishing with 23 points and eight assists, going 4 of 8 from the 3-point line. The freshman shined in a sixth-man role for the Tigers last season, averaging 11.6 points, and is ranked number 38 in the NBA draft rankings.
After Wednesday’s performance and the impressive numbers from Tuesday’s athletic tests, Pettiford’s stock is rising, but he said he hasn’t decided whether he will stay in college or go to the NBA.
“I’ll just go out this week and figure out the feedback I’m getting and go from there,” he said, adding that he would like to receive a first-round guarantee before making a final decision.
Tahaad Pettiford
Miles Byrd, San Diego State guard, number 51 in the NBA draft rankings, said he is 50/50 on his decision, while Kentucky guard Otega Oweh said he is “going through the process as if [he is] fully committed,” but it is not certain that he will be drafted and, therefore, has not made a decision.
Adou Thiero, Arkansas forward, is widely expected to keep his name in the NBA draft, but said Wednesday that “the door is not completely closed” to a return.
Four of the top five remaining players in the portal, RJ Luis (St. John’s), PJ Haggerty (Memphis), Darrion Williams (Texas Tech), and Jamir Watkins (Florida State), said they would prefer to remain in the NBA draft, but have not yet made a final decision.
