The NBA officially released a list including the 75 players that received an invitation to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. The combine will take place from May 11-18, but we may not see all of its participants competing at the professional level next season.
Contrary to other leagues, the NBA allows players to enter the draft while maintaining college eligibility. This allows the players to go through the pre-draft process and gather input and feedback from professional scouts to get an idea of where they could be drafted before officially deciding on their future.
Here are the invitees to this year’s NBA Combine who have decided to enter the draft while retaining their eligibility and could return to college basketball next season.
(Official date to withdraw from Draft and maintain college eligibility: May 28)
Carter Bryant, Arizona
Bryant had a solid freshman season at Arizona but not one good enough, especially looking at his numbers, to solidify himself as a lottery pick in the draft. This led to his decision to leave the door open for a return to Arizona who he has already signed a revenue-sharing agreement with for if he does return.
Miles Byrd, San Diego State
Byrd had a breakout third season with the Aztecs where he averaged 12.3 points per game. If he does withdraw, Byrd would be another huge returning piece for Brian Dutcher’s team that already got a commitment to return from Mountain West Freshman of the Year Magoon Gwath.
Alex Condon, Florida
Alex Condon was a massive piece in the Gators run to a national title, and I believe this is a decision that could easily go either way. NBA teams will love his size and athleticism, but another year in college that could make him a topic pick next year and the chance to go back-to-back with the Gators has to be enticing.
Cedric Coward, Duke
This is another guy whose decision is up in the air, but due to a season ending injury last year, I expect to see Coward playing in Cameron Indoor next year. He recently committed to Duke, as their first addition from the transfer portal, and last season played in just six games at Washington State but averaged 17.7 points and seven rebounds.
Isaiah Evans, Duke
This is a prime example of a guy who is likely just testing the waters. Evans announced he would be returning to Duke for his sophomore season before entering his name into the draft. Last year, he served in a very limited role on a loaded Duke team but showed his sharpshooting abilities, connecting on 41.6% of his three-point attempts.
Boogie Fland, Transfer Portal/Arkansas
Fland was almost guaranteed to be a one-and-done guy before a hand injury caused him to miss most of last season. All signs point to him staying in the draft, but with his name entered into the transfer portal, if he were to return, it would likely not be to Arkansas.
PJ Haggerty, Transfer Portal/Memphis
The PJ Haggerty transfer destination decision has been the hottest topic in college basketball the past couple weeks, but there is a slim chance that doesn’t even matter and he goes pro. He was one of the most prolific scorers in the country last season, averaging 21.7 ppg at Memphis. If he does in fact return to the college level, he would make any team he goes to a serious threat.
Karter Knox, Arkansas
Possibly the best news that Arkansas fans have gotten in this offseason is the possibility that Karter Knox will return. He had a very up and down freshman year and is a guy that I would heavily lean towards coming back. His brother Kevin was a one and done guy with Coach Cal at Kentucky but has overall struggled as a pro, which could play a role in this decision.
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Yaxel is the most intriguing prospect on this list after committing to Dusty May and Michigan via the portal. He is a stat sheet stuffer that averaged a double-double in both of his seasons at UAB. He is widely considered a first round draft pick and is a guy that could move up draft boards when scouts get to see him up close at the combine. With that being said, having an NIL deal with Michigan that is allegedly worth $3 million has to make the decision for him even harder.
RJ Luis Jr., Transfer Portal/St. John’s
The reigning Big East Player of the Year is keeping all options on the table as he remains in the portal with the combine approaching. Luis is a projected second round pick after leading St. John’s in scoring last season. One thing for sure is that a return to the Red Storm is not likely after Luis was benched late in the second round of the tournament and Rick Pitino bringing in a massive portal haul.
Otega Oweh, Kentucky
Oweh is another second round projection who I would love to see return to college. He was the most consistent scorer for the Wildcats last year and would be a massive piece for Mark Pope to get back in his second season at Kentucky.
Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
This former 5-star recruit’s draft stock grew after a couple breakout games in the NCAA Tournament. Pettiford started just one game last season, but provided a spark for the Tigers off of the bench. He seems comfortable with either side of this decision and could be a star once again at the college level with Auburn.
Drake Powell, North Carolina
Powell has been all over NBA mock drafts and has recently been gaining steam. He had a good freshman year but came nowhere near meeting expectations as a 5-star. In my mind if he does stay in the draft, this is your typical NBA draft pick that is not based on production at the college level and does not make sense to me
Thomas Sorber, Georgetown
The 19-year-old had a strong first year in college averaging 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds as one of the top big men in the Big East. Sorber’s skill set as a big certainly translates to the NBA level, but Ed Cooley would be thrilled to have him back.
Milos Uzan, Houston
Uzan was a key scoring option last season for a Houston team that prides themselves on their play on the defensive end. He has one year of college eligibility remaining and could use it for another run with the Cougars alongside Emmanuel Sharp.
Jamir Watkins, Transfer Portal/Florida State
This is the second year in a row that Watkins has entered both the draft and transfer portal. He was a rare bright spot for Florida State last season averaging 18.4 ppg. He has good size and is great at creating scoring opportunities for himself which will translate well to the NBA. He ended up returning to FSU after taking his name out of the draft last season, but if he withdraws again another return for Tallahassee is likely off the table.
Darrion Williams, Transfer Portal/Texas Tech
Williams is currently a second round talent, and I would expect him to be back at the college level next season. In one of the more surprising moves of the offseason, Williams entered the portal as well after two great seasons at Texas Tech. The return of JT Toppin with a massive NIL deal does shed some light on that decision, but I would not count out a return to Lubbock if he does withdraw from the draft.
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