May 30—The NBA draft withdrawal date (for players that wanted to still play college basketball in 2025-26) passed Wednesday night. That meant good news across the Big Ten, with several of what could be the league’s top players opting for another season of college hoops. Even if it was expected, John Blackwell returning to Wisconsin and Nick Martinelli to Northwestern boosts the league.
It’s a deadline, of course, that had zero impact on Illinois this offseason compared to the past few years. The ship sailed on another season in Champaign for Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley, at minimum, as soon as they declared for the draft. (Probably sooner, if we’re going to be honest).
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That reality let Brad Underwood and Co. get their offseason roster work done in an exceedingly quick timeframe. Other teams had to wait on draft decisions, and these five benefitted the most:
Florida
The reigning national champions had a double dose of good news this month. First came Boogie Fland pulling out of the draft and then finishing off his transfer activity with a move from Fayetteville, Ark., to Gainesville, Fla., with opportunity abound in a new-look Gators backcourt next to Princeton transfer Xavian Lee. Florida’s shot at back-to-back titles got another boost when Australian big man Alex Condon decided to return for his junior season.
Michigan
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While Danny Wolf opted to stay in the draft as a potential (likely?) late first-round pick, Yaxel Lendeborg made the opposite decision. The UAB transfer had a similar draft projection, but he’ll close out his college career in Ann Arbor, Mich., after averaging 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.8 blocks for the Blazers last season. A huge deal for the Wolverines, who still have backcourt questions but are kind of loaded up front with Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara and Will Tschetter.
Texas A&M
New Aggies coach Bucky McMillan had to be pleased with the turn of events this month. Not only did Texas A&M secure Indiana transfer Mackenzie Mgbako after he impressed at the NBA draft combine, but the Aggies also reaped the benefits of good news for Houston. When Milos Uzan decided to run it back with the Cougars, Creighton transfer Pops Isaac backed out of his commitment to Big 12 champs and quickly landed in College Station, Texas. That gives McMillan two point guard options along with North Alabama transfer Jacari Lane, while Mgbako (a former five-star recruit) has a chance to live up to that lofty ranking no longer playing for Mike Woodson.
Alabama
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Labaron Philon said he was all in on the draft during the combine earlier this month in Chicago. Then the Alabama guard reversed course at the 11th hour, opting for another season with the Crimson Tide. Philon had a solid freshman season in Tuscaloosa, Ala., averaging 10.6 points, 3.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds. His return reinforces a talented, but somewhat young Alabama backcourt. Veteran guard Latrell Wrightsell also returns, but the Tide could lean heavily on Philon, Miami transfer Jalil Bethea (also a soon-to-be sophomore) and top 50 incoming freshman Davion Hannah.
Auburn
Would Auburn have been OK if Tahaad Pettiford stayed in the draft? Kind of. The Tigers’ top returning player in that scenario would have been little-used backup forward Ja’Heim Hudson, but Bruce Pearl’s other offseason efforts were solid. Now, Auburn has a point guard to build around in Pettiford, who earned All-SEC Freshman honors last season. A centerpiece player that can make newcomers Keyshawn Hall (UCF), Keshawn Murphy (Mississippi State), Abdul Bashir (Casper College) and Filip Jovic (Serbia) better.
