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Deepest NBA draft classes in recent memory has significantly thinned out

Prospects had until Wednesday to withdraw their names from the 2025 NBA Draft. After numerous Top 60 players chose to return to college for the next season, one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory has significantly thinned out.

The lottery remains packed with talent at the top, featuring players like Duke’s Cooper Flagg, Rutgers’ Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe and Texas’ Tre Johnson. However, late-first and second-round prospects are withdrawing rapidly.

“There’s an obvious reason for that: Expanding NIL money. While it was a factor in the past two drafts, this is the first one where the money has become huge enough that it radically alters the calculus for all but the top 15-20 picks. For anyone else, it would be extremely unwise to turn down a multi-million-dollar NIL check for the uncertainty of being a second-round pick in the NBA. Thus, the 2025 NBA Draft looks like a completely normal one at the top half of the first round, then has the bottom fall out once we get into the second,” wrote John Hollinger of The Athletic.

For example, Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford (ranked No. 27 on CBS Sports’ Big Board) will return to school next season to help Bruce Pearl and the Tigers chase a third Final Four appearance.

Pettiford’s decision to withdraw is logical. The 19-year-old was widely viewed as a borderline first-round pick, likely to be selected in the second round had he remained in the draft. Instead, the dynamic playmaker from Jersey City can now enhance his draft stock and solidify his status as one of the top prospects in the 2026 class.

The financial incentives are significant, as Pettiford will reportedly secure an NIL deal worth over $2 million.

Other players who have withdrawn include Alabama’s Labaron Philon (No. 23), San Diego State’s Miles Byrd (No. 52), Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg (No. 43), Florida’s Alex Condon (No. 56), Houston’s Milos Uzan (No. 45), Kansas State’s PJ Haggerty (No. 63) and NC State’s Darrion Williams (No. 44).

“More players are deciding to return to school instead of staying in the NBA draft because of the guaranteed NIL money in college instead of gambling on where they’ll be picked,” wrote Alex Schiffer of Front Office Sports.

The 2025 draft was inevitably weakened by the rise of NIL deals, which continue to draw talent away from the professional ranks. College players can now earn millions before stepping foot on an NBA court and leverage the transfer portal to secure more lucrative opportunities. For many, staying in college is more appealing than grinding as a second-round pick or G League player.

“The prime reason behind a constant rise in the players withdrawing from the draft to return to college is the skyrocketing NIL markets across college basketball,” wrote Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. “These deals allow them to earn as much as $3 to $4 million per year.”



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