2025 NBA Draft: Winners & Losers – Withdrawal Deadline
- The deadline for college players to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft brought meaningful drama, with several athletes making surprising decisions.
- Kentucky's Oveh Oweh Oweh, a potential second-round pick, opted to return to school.He is now considered a possible SEC Player of the Year candidate.
- Michigan emerged as a major beneficiary of these late decisions.
The 2025 NBA Draft’s withdrawal deadline brought shocking twists, reshaping collage basketball. Key college stars, including Yaxel lendeborg and Tahaad Pettiford, made late decisions impacting team rosters. Lendeborg’s return to Michigan, fueled by a notable NIL deal, and Pettiford’s choice to stay at Auburn, will dramatically alter the landscape. RJ Luis Jr.’s surprising decision to remain in the draft presents a different, riskier path.News Directory 3 breaks down each pivotal choice, analyzing the impact on both players and teams.The increasing influence of Name, Image, and Likeness deals further complex the draft. Discover what’s next …
NBA draft: College Stars Return After Deadline, impacting Rosters
Updated may 29, 2025
The deadline for college players to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft brought meaningful drama, with several athletes making surprising decisions. While Washington State’s Cedric coward remained committed to the draft, other players kept fans and NBA teams guessing until the last minute.
Kentucky’s Oveh Oweh Oweh, a potential second-round pick, opted to return to school.He is now considered a possible SEC Player of the Year candidate. Similarly, Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford turned down a potential late first-round selection. Instead,Pettiford accepted a Name,Image,and Likeness (NIL) deal with the Tigers worth over $2 million,according to CBS Sports.
Michigan emerged as a major beneficiary of these late decisions. Yaxel lendeborg, formerly of UAB and ranked as the No.1 transfer player by CBS Sports, withdrew from the draft. Lendeborg, projected as a late-first-round pick after a strong NBA Draft Combine performance, led the nation in double-doubles last season. He will return to college basketball as an All-American candidate.
Lendeborg’s decision to play another college season was unexpected. He reportedly secured an NIL package near $3 million to return to michigan. The Wolverines, who favored a double-big lineup last season, will benefit from Lendeborg’s presence as a consistent double-double performer.This extra year could considerably boost Lendeborg’s future draft stock.
However, not all decisions where met with universal approval. RJ Luis Jr., the Big East Player of the Year from St. John’s, surprised many by staying in the draft.Despite a breakout season, some analysts believed returning to school would have been more beneficial for his long-term prospects. The best-case scenario for Luis is now a mid-to-late second-round pick, which often leads to a challenging path to making an NBA roster.
The rise of NIL deals has also benefited agents. UCLA’s Donovan Dent and Michigan’s Lendeborg each secured deals around $3 million.PJ Haggerty bypassed the NBA Draft and transferred to Kansas State for a considerable payday. This increased spending follows the House vs. NCAA settlement, which is expected to create a revenue-sharing model and a potential salary cap.
What’s next
College basketball teams will now adjust their rosters and strategies based on these late NBA draft decisions, with michigan and Auburn poised to capitalize on the return of key players. The impact of NIL deals on player recruitment and retention will continue to be a major storyline in the upcoming season.