The 2024 NBA Draft Combine has come and gone, and now it’s time to assess the performances of the top prospects. As an analyst, it’s my job to read the tea leaves and project which players should return to school and which ones should take the leap to the NBA. In this article, I’ll break down the players who should withdraw from the draft and return for another season of college basketball.
The Case for Returning to School
There are several players who, in my opinion, would benefit from returning to school. Hunter Sallis, a shooting guard from Wake Forest, is one of them. After a mediocre performance at the combine, Sallis may not be in line to earn a guaranteed contract in the early to middle of the second round. Returning to school, where he could cash in big as a potential All-American, might be the best decision for him. Another stellar year could further boost his stock to a place closer to the first round.
The NBA draft combine is a crucial step in the journey to the NBA.
Bronny James, a shooting guard from USC, is another player who should consider returning to school. Despite reportedly being set on staying in the draft, James could benefit from another year of college basketball. He had a great combine, but one more season could dramatically boost his stock if he shows improvement from his freshman year.
The Fence-Sitters
There are also players who are on the fence, and their decisions are too tough to call. Justin Edwards, a small forward from Kentucky, is one of them. He ranked No. 1 on the CBS Sports Big Board entering the season, but failed to live up to lofty expectations. There’s still plenty who believe in his talent, and he had some impressive moments at the combine. Alex Karaban, a small forward from UConn, is another player who’s hard to read. He could return to UConn and get a big NIL deal, or he could sneak into the first round of the draft.
College basketball is a crucial step in the journey to the NBA.
JT Toppin, a power forward from New Mexico, is a player who impressed at the combine. He had a stellar freshman season at New Mexico and looked like a future first-rounder during scrimmages. Another year in college could launch him into household-name status. Coleman Hawkins, a power forward from Illinois, is another player who’s hard to read. He had a great final-day scrimmage, but his stock is still uncertain.
The Verdict
In conclusion, there are several players who should withdraw from the draft and return to school. Hunter Sallis, Bronny James, Nique Clifford, Jaxson Robinson, and Payton Sandfort are all players who could benefit from another year of college basketball. As for the fence-sitters, only time will tell what they’ll decide to do. One thing’s for sure, though - the 2024 NBA Draft is shaping up to be an exciting one.
The 2024 NBA draft is shaping up to be an exciting one.
