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Monday night was the deadline for underclassmen to withdraw from the NBA draft. Despite concerns regarding the 2020-21 college basketball season, 91 out of the 156 players opted to return to college. That’s the majority.
Big names return to school in lieu of NBA
Surprisingly, the 91 players returning to college have quite a few stars mixed in. These stars are sprinkled around some of college basketball’s most dangerous teams.
Naismith Player of the Year finalist Luka Garza announced his return to Iowa on Sunday. Garza is only the fifth Naismith finalist to return to school since 2005.
Additionally in the Big Ten, Ayo Dosunmu will return to Illinois. As a result, the conference will feature several national title contenders and a competitive schedule.
Two more national title favorites saw star players return prior to the NBA draft deadline: Baylor and Gonzaga. Baylor got Jared Butler back, while Gonzaga returned Corey Kispert.
Then in the Pac-12, Arizona State gained an edge when Remy Martin withdrew from the draft. With all this talent returning to college, the 2021 draft looks tantalizing.
Four SEC teams benefit, one suffers at deadline
A handful of SEC schools were big winners on deadline day. Overall, LSU had the most productive day in the conference. The Tigers returned three players, most notably starting point guard Ja’vonte Smart.
Still, Smart was not the most exciting acquisition for LSU. That was Trendon Watford. The Tigers did not fully expect Watford to come back for his sophomore season.
Three SEC universities had one player announce their return on deadline day: Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee. Isaiah Joe and Yves Pons returned to Arkansas and Tennessee, respectively.
Alabama landed John Petty, who followed teammate Herb Jones back to Tuscaloosa. Jones returned earlier in the NBA draft process.
One SEC team endured a predictable blow hours before the draft deadline: Mississippi State. The Bulldogs officially lost star player Robert Woodward on deadline day. Woodward is one of three underclassmen leaving Mississippi State for the draft.
