In a fascinating turn of events, NBA hopefuls have withdrawn from the upcoming draft en masse, likely the result of a recent Supreme Court ruling allowing college athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness (NIL). UCLA’s Johnny Juzang, Oral Roberts guard Max Abmas and Terrence Shannon Jr. of Texas Tech have all opted to return to school, joining countless others including Vanderbilt standout Scotty Pippen Jr. and All-Big Ten performer Kofi Cockburn who, after two seasons at Illinois, is entering the transfer portal. The deadline for players to withdraw while maintaining their NCAA eligibility was Wednesday at 11:59 PM ET.
This doesn’t necessarily close the book on one-and-dones. Most of the players electing to stay were fringe prospects hoping to latch on as either second-rounders or summer league invitees. Projected lottery picks Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley kept their names in the draft without giving it a second thought (both have hired agents), though Mobley’s older brother Isaiah has decided to return for his junior year at USC. The NCAA is also seeing an unusual amount of transfers, though that may have more to do with the COVID pandemic than marketing opportunities presented by NILs.
College basketball has long suffered from a lack of continuity, particularly at NBA feeder schools like Duke and Kentucky, programs both routinely gutted by draft casualties. With students now able to earn money through endorsements without forfeiting their eligibility, players may not be as eager to turn pro, continuing their studies while getting to enjoy the full college experience. University of Miami quarterback D’Eriq King has been among the most active athletes in promoting his brand, launching his own online store with licensed apparel and NFTs (non-fungible tokens) while partnering with McKenzie Milton of Florida State in co-founding Dreamfield, a startup company that books student-athletes for speaking engagements, autograph signings and meet-and-greets with fans.
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