Basketball/Sports
2025 NBA Draft: Key Decisions by Underclassmen on Whether to Stay in the Draft or Resume College
As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, several underclassmen are finalizing their choices about leaving college basketball. Some have committed to remaining in the draft while others have decided to return to school.
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The 2025 NBA Draft pool is now clearer after the deadline for players to declare their intentions has passed. Underclassmen had until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday to decide whether to stay in the draft or return for another college season. The day saw some notable decisions, including:
- Cedric Coward of Washington State announced he would remain in the draft, skipping a potential transfer to Duke.
- Yaxel Lendeborg, a likely first-round pick, opted to stay at Michigan for another year.
- RJ Luis Jr. from St. John’s, alongside Yanic Konan Niederhauser of Penn State, and others, chose to remain in the draft followed by the announcement of returning players like Otega Oweh from Kentucky.
The decision period appeared devoid of any major surprises, even with potential first-round picks choosing to return to schools instead of pursuing professional contracts.
