2017 NBA Draft: Which players should have stayed in school?

Decision day has come and gone for  NCAA underclassmen who declared for the 2017 NBA draft.

On Tuesday, the NBA announced that 137 early entry college players had thrown their name in the 2017 NBA Draft. But in the end, 72 of those early entrants ultimately decided to pull out of the draft by the May 24th deadline, meaning that 65 underclassmen will never play college basketball again. The big question is how many of the underclassmen who have remained in the draft made a poor decision f

The big question is how many of the underclassmen who have remained in the draft made a poor decision for their careers?

Before answering that question let’s look at which underclassmen are still in the draft. Several underclassmen did make the correct decision in leaving college early. Markelle Fultz (Washington), Lonzo Ball (UCLA), Jayson Tatum (Duke), De’Aaron Fox, and Malik Monk (Kentucky), along with Josh Jackson (Kansas) decisions to leave were no-brainers. Florida State freshman forward Jonathan Isaac’s decision to remain in the draft was close to a no-brainer. Isaac, Gonzaga freshman Zach Collins, as well as Arizona’s Lauri Markkanen, could have improved their draft stock by returning to school though all three are considered to be lottery selections. North Carolina State point guard Dennis Smith is in the same category as Isaac, Markkanen, and Collins.

Justin Jackson (UNC), OG Anunoby (Indiana), Dillon Brooks (Oregon), John Collins (Wake Forest), Luke Kennard (Duke), and Caleb Swanigan of Purdue probably wouldn’t improve their draft stock by returning for another season. The lone exception being Collins, who is expected to be a top-20 selection.

Harry Giles (Duke), Ivan Rabb (Cal), and Donovan Mitchell (Louisville) most likely would improve their draft stock with another collegiate season, but all three should be chosen in the first round. Kentucky’s Bam Adebayo, Texas’ Jarrett Allen, Oregon’s Jordan Bell, and Syracuse’s Tyler London could use more seasoning though their stock is perhaps the highest it will ever be. All four are expected to be taken late in the first or early in the second round. Allen and Bell would have the best opportunity of the four to improve their draft position by returning to school.

You can’t blame Louisville junior forward Jaylen Johnson for deciding to start his pro career, though he is not expected to be drafted. Johnson had a solid season last year and should make a good living in Europe.

BYU center Erik Mica and SMU forward Semi Ojeleye are both 22-years old so it makes sense for them to make the jump. Both are possible second-round choices. Florida State forward Dwyane Bacon is in a similar position, as he is almost 22 despite just completing his sophomore campaign.

Several players like Clandell Cetoute (Thiel) and Tony Farmer (Lee College, Texas) had no business entering into the draft and will not be drafted. Cal State Northridge’s Darin Johnson and Central Michigan’s Marcus Keane have eligibility left as a result of them transferring schools. So, neither would likely have benefitted from another college season.

According to ESPN, of the 71 early entrants who kept their names in the 2016 NBA draft, only 29 were selected. 17 of the 30 players that were selected in the first round were early entrants, which included eight lottery picks.

Without further adieu here is my list of underclassmen that made huge mistakes declaring for the 2017 NBA Draft.