The 2026 NBA Draft received fewer early entry candidates than usual as more prospects opted to return to college basketball with lucrative NIL deals.
With only 71 candidates, it marked the lowest number in more than two decades. But not all received an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. For those who did, after meeting with scouts and team executives, players used that feedback to decide whether to remain in the draft or return to college.
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Several players opted to return to college before the pre-draft process even began, a trend viewed as beneficial to both the NCAA and NBA.
Thomas Haugh (Florida), Braylon Mullins (UConn) and Patrick Ngongba II (Duke) are among those who were widely considered potential first-round picks but opted not to test the waters. Others, including Pryce Sandfort (Nebraska), Alex Condon (Florida), Joseph Tugler (Houston) and David Mirković (Illinois), made the same decision.
While more than 25 early entry candidates are expected to remain in the class, others have yet to announce their decisions and several have already confirmed their return to college basketball.
Per NCAA rules, players have until 11:59 PM ET on Wednesday, May 27 to withdraw from the 2026 NBA Draft and remain eligible to play college basketball.
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Players who have completed their college eligibility are automatically eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft. Among them are Yaxel Lendeborg, Bennett Stirtz, Joshua Jefferson, Tarris Reed Jr., Zuby Ejiofor, Alex Karaban, Ryan Conwell and Braden Smith.
Early entry candidates who have yet to announce a decision
Koa Peat participates in the 2026 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.
Early entry participants from NBA/G League Combine to return to NCAA
Matthew Able participates in the 2026 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.
Note that Aidan Tobiason and Jacob Cofie were initially invited to the G League Combine and Cofie later received a call-up to the NBA Draft Combine.
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Aiden Tobiason (Temple → Syracuse)
Early entry candidates expected to remain in 2026 NBA Draft
AJ Dybantsa participates in the 2026 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.
This list is based on consensus draft projection, reporting, and comments made at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine.
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Karim Lopez (International, Australia)
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Allen Graves (Santa Clara → transfer portal)
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Jack Kayil (International → Gonzaga commit)
Other early entry prospects (non-combine participants) returning to NCAA
Michigan Wolverines guard Elliot Cadeau (3) celebrates after their win against the UConn Huskies in the national championship of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament between the and the Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Two asterisks denote a player who received but declined an NBA Combine invitation. One asterisk denotes a player who received but declined an invitation to the G League Combine.
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Juke Harris** (Wake Forest → Tennessee)
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Anton Bonke (Charlotte → Michigan State)
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Keanu Dawes (Utah → Kansas)
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Sebastian Rancik (Colorado → Florida State)
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Cruz Davis (Hofstra → Texas Tech)
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Dennis Parker Jr. (Radford → Kansas)
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Gabe Dynes (USC → Louisville)
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Rowan Brumbaugh (Tulane → SMU)
Other remaining international early entry candidates
Among this group, Luigi Suigo and Sergio De Larrea received combine invitations, but only Suigo attended.
The withdrawal deadline for international early entry candidates is 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 13.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA Draft early entry tracker: Full list of prospects decisions
