Draft Drama: Multiple College Players Opt Out, Memphis Forward Takes the Leap to the Pros!
College athletes who entered the 2023 NBA Draft early but are still eligible for the NCAA have until the end of the day on Wednesday to decide whether to drop out of the draft or give up their remaining eligibility. However, if they miss the NCAA’s May 31 deadline, players who choose the latter option cannot enroll at another institution. They may still withdraw from the draft before the NBA’s June 12 deadline.
As a result, there will be a flurry of reports on prospects who have been gauging their draft prospects on Wednesday. According to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, UCLA’s Adem Bona made the decision to withdraw his name from the draft pool and re-join the Bruins for his second season. The 2023 big board for ESPN ranked Bona, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, as the No. 48 player.
Josiah-Jordan James, a forward for Tennessee and the No. 77 player on ESPN’s draft list, made the same decision to forgo the 2023 draft and instead use his last year of NCAA eligibility, which he revealed on Twitter. Tristan Da Silva, a forward for Colorado and ESPN’s No. 83 prospect, has informed Givony that he will also return to school.
While most players making announcements on Wednesday are dropping out of the draft, it’s not true for every player. For instance, Memphis forward Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu decided to stay in the draft and become a pro, according to agent Scott Nichols, who spoke with Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports (Twitter link).
But in our most recent round of reports, Akobundu-Ehiogu is rare. Here are a few more early registrants who will not be participating in the draft:
- Jaden Akins, a sophomore guard from Michigan State
- T.J. Bickerstaff, F, senior James Madison
- Bickerstaff is leaving Boston College.
- Senior F Tyler Burton from Villanova
- Burton is transferring from Richmond.
- Senior F/C from Utah named Branden Carlson.
- G A.J. Hoggard, a junior at Michigan State.
- Junior at Rutgers, Clifford Omoruyi, C.
- Jahvon Quinerly, G, senior, Alabama.
- Cormac Ryan, G, senior from North Carolina.
- Burton is leaving Notre Dame.
- Mady Traore, a freshman at Maryland.
- Remarkably, Traore is moving on from New Mexico State.
Unveiling the Hidden Factors Why There is an Exodus of NBA Draftees
There might be a number of probable causes for NBA draftees to withdraw from the 2023 draft, despite the fact that the particular causes may differ. The following are a few possible causes:
- Uncertain draft prospects: Draftees may have heard from scouts and evaluators that their draft stock is not as high as expected. Players worried about getting picked in later rounds or not at all may decide to sit out the draft and consider other possibilities.
- Future Draft Strategy: In some circumstances, athletes may forego the draft to increase their prospects in subsequent years. They want to improve their draft prospects, maybe land a higher contract, and further their career by investing more time honing their abilities in college or other leagues.
- Looking for Alternative Opportunities: Some draftees may have been approached with alluring offers from professional teams in other leagues or abroad. Players could choose these options over the NBA draft if these possibilities provide more immediate playing time, financial incentives, or distinctive growth routes.
- Personal Considerations: A player’s choice to withdraw from the draft may be influenced by personal considerations including family circumstances, academic goals, or other professional aspirations. These elements can vary greatly, and each person’s situation may have a big impact on their decision.
- Health and Injury Concerns: Draftees may decide not to participate in the draft if they have injuries or unresolved health problems. They may put more emphasis on recuperation and rehabilitation than joining the NBA draft if they lack confidence in their physical condition or worry about future setbacks.
It’s crucial to remember that these are only hypothetical explanations, and each player’s precise reasons for withdrawing from the 2023 NBA draft would be different.
