NCAA Basketball: NBA Withdrawal date looms as players return to school

The deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft looms as top talent returns to school. Here’s a look at some college basketball players returning in 2018-19.

The final day for underclassmen to withdraw from the NBA Draft is roughly one day away. The official deadline is May 30 at 11:59 PM EST for college players to return to school. As the deadline looms, some players are taking the feedback they’re receiving and choosing to return to school.

The latest big name to return to school is Nevada Wolf Pack guard Jordan Caroline. He played a pivotal role in the Wolf Pack’s rotation this past season as they made an improbable run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

He averaged 17.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in 2017-18 as Nevada went 29-8 under head coach Eric Musselman. Now, the return of their 6-foot-7 senior guard makes them an even more dangerous team in 2018-19.

The additions of McDonald’s All-American big man Jordan Brown and graduate transfer center Trey Porter (Old Dominion) has Nevada looking like early favorites to win the Mountain West Conference. They went 15-3 in conference play last year.

Caroline adds more depth and experience to a team with transfers waiting to play as well. As Nevada awaits the decisions of Caleb and Cody Martin, they shouldn’t fret too much with what they’ve got eligible in 2018-19.

Another big name returning to school is North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye. Maye returns to Chapel Hill after a strong junior season as a full-time starter. He put up 16.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game last season for the Tar Heels. He’s a double-double machine that should flourish in the ACC next season as the main scoring option for North Carolina.

Testing the process

Some of the top names from college basketball still remain in the 2018 NBA Draft discussion but since they haven’t hired agents, they can change their decision by May 30. With the deadline just one day away, here’s a look at some top players with decisions to make:

• Tyus Battle, Syracuse
• Ky Bowman, Boston College
• Wenyen Gabriel, Kentucky
• Jalen Hudson, Florida
• Jalen McDaniels, San Diego State
• Admiral Schofield, Tennessee
• Tremont Waters, LSU
• Omer Yurtseven, NC State

Syracuse guard Battle is a player most likely to keep his name in the draft. So far, he’s worked out for four NBA teams and is projected to go early in the second round.

Boston College guards Ky Bowman and Jerome Robinson made up one of the strongest backcourts in the ACC last season. Now, with Robinson off to the NBA, Bowman has a decision to make himself.

LSU Tigers guard Tremont Waters and San Diego State Aztecs forward Jalen McDaniels both excelled as freshmen in 2017-18. Waters was a stat-sheet stuffer, putting up 15.9 points, 6.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals per contest through 33 games.

The list has some underclassmen with room to grow and eligibility left to use. There are also some seniors to watch in 2018-19.

Power 5 conferences regaining top talent

NC State Wolfpack guard Torin Dorn, West Virginia Mountaineers forward Sagabe Konate and Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Isaac Copeland are all returning for their senior seasons.

Dorn and Konate are two players who can be key contributors for their respective squads in 2018-19. Dorn put up 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per in 33 appearances (32 starts) for the Wolfpack last year. NC State went 21-12 and made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in head coach Kevin Keatts’ first season. Year 2 should be another exciting one for them.

Konate poured in 10.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocks last season for West Virginia while starting in all 36 games for them. With Jevon Carter and Daxter Miles gone, Konate should become a threat in the Mountaineers’ frontcourt next season.

Copeland averaged 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Cornhuskers in 2017-18. He transferred from Georgetown and sat out the 2016-17 season. He looked good in his first season with Nebraska and returns with a lot left to prove next year.

Next: 3 Biggest NBA Draft Decisions left to be made

College basketball shouldn’t be short of NBA talent in 2018-19, that’s for sure. There will be plenty players to watch for as teams reload in order to make their runs this upcoming March.