NBA Draft: Underclassmen are returning to college in record numbers
JT Toppin, a second-team All-American and the reigning Big 12 player of the year, announced earlier this month that he intends to return to the Red Raiders for his junior season.
Projected as a potential second-round pick by NBA scouts and draft analysts, Toppin is exactly the sort of prospect who might have turned pro in the pre-NIL era but now can benefit financially from remaining in college. The 6-foot-9 forward is expected to make about $4 million in NIL earnings at Texas Tech next season, according to CBSSports.com's Matt Norlander, a sum that exceeds the 2025-26 rookie salary scale for all but the NBA's top 15 draft picks.
The skyrocketing NIL market for proven talent across college basketball has made decisions like Toppin's more and more common this draft cycle. Underclassmen who are fringe NBA prospects are returning to college in record numbers rather than chasing NBA two-way contracts or paydays overseas.
Only 106 players entered the 2025 NBA Draft as early entry candidates, the league announced on Tuesday morning. That's the lowest number of early entrants since 2015, down from a peak of 353 in 2021.
Braden Smith, a first-team All-American and the nation's best point guard, revealed earlier this month that he's 'running it back one last time' at Purdue, potentially cementing himself as the preseason Wooden Award favorite.
Thomas Haugh, one of the pillars of Florida's national title run, recently said that he's returning to the reigning champs despite wowing NBA scouts during a breakout NCAA tournament.
Alex Karaban, the last remaining stalwart from UConn's back-to-back title teams, announced on Tuesday that he's coming back for his senior season in hopes of solidifying himself as a 2026 NBA Draft pick while chasing a third championship.
Isaiah Evans is returning to Duke. Flory Bidunga is doing the same at Kansas. So is Trey Kaufman-Renn at Purdue, Richie Saunders at BYU and Jackson Shelstad at Oregon. You'll also see Big East player of the year RJ Luis, Mountain West player of the year Donovan Dent and Missouri Valley player of the year Bennett Stirtz, albeit all playing for different college teams than they did this past season.
The glut of returning talent to college basketball reflects the money that deep-pocketed, top-tier programs are spending to try to build the best possible rosters. The Field of 68's Jeff Goodman reported earlier this month that as many as 15 teams will have $10 million rosters next season. Those in the NIL space who have spoken to Yahoo Sports say that it will take up to $6-8 million just to be competitive in a power conference.
That's a big leap from even a year ago when only the most coveted transfers and prized freshmen could expect to earn seven figures. It's an even more enormous jump from a few years ago when college basketball's biggest brands helped arrange six- or low-seven-figure NIL deals to tempt back-to-the-basket centers Armando Bacot, Hunter Dickinson, Drew Timme and Oscar Tshiebwe back to college.
'There's not that big of a market in the NBA for a certain type of big man,' Bacot told Yahoo Sports in 2022, 'so being able to come back to college and make money is a really good option.'
Is this salary structure sustainable? Will fringe pro prospects continue to earn more as college stars than they can yoyo-ing between the G League and the end of an NBA bench? We'll see.
But for now, this current setup is a coup for players who are finally able to earn market value and for the sport of college basketball as a whole.
Talented underclassmen are returning to college basketball at the highest rate in a decade plus. That can only drive interest in the sport.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
"I always had to protect you" - Allen Iverson confronted Shaquille O'Neal for tucking his chain in every time he was in Los Angeles
"I always had to protect you" - Allen Iverson confronted Shaquille O'Neal for tucking his chain in every time he was in Los Angeles originally appeared on Basketball Network. Fellow NBA legends Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson had an intriguing and candid conversation during a podcast session last year. The pair reminisced about a lot of things, including the early days of their friendship, specifically why O'Neal often hid Iverson's chain under his shirt whenever they linked up in Los Angeles. Years have passed, but to this day, Iverson still wonders why O'Neal had to do that. The former Philadelphia 76ers superstar grabbed the opportunity to hear it from Shaq himself in their one-on-one discussion. O'Neal didn't beat around the bush and answered right away. He told Iverson straight up that he was doing it for his safety. "Every time I went to L.A., I had my chain out and then he'll tuck it in," Iverson told O'Neal on "The Big Podcast." "He'll tuck my chain in and then, [but] I'm seeing interviews [of Shaq], I'm seeing you on TV, and what you rock? I seen the Superman Chain, man." "Yeah, but I was in the area and I knew certain people [there]," Shaq responded to A.I. "I'm just saying, I knew certain people and I ain't want you out there, you know what I'm saying? So, I always had to protect you." Shaq has always admired Allen The connection between O'Neal and Iverson was nothing short of extraordinary. Though Shaq was undoubtedly the most dominant big man during his prime, he was admittedly a huge fan of the shifty point guard, who was a much smaller player. In fact, O'Neal once confessed to letting Iverson score on him during games. According to Shaq, there were moments when he could've blocked Allen's shot, but he would let it go in because of his admiration for him. "There were guys that when we played them, I was such a fan, I let them do what they wanted on me. White Chocolate (Jason Williams), I want him to go to work. Vince Carter, A.I. (Allen Iverson) and Tracy McGrady. Every time we played A.I., I liked him crossing over and he was tough. I could've blocked his shot multiple times, I just didn't want to," O'Neal said in an interview with Bleacher Report.A.I. was like a "little Shaq" Unlike other NBA all-time greats who only became friends with each other when their careers were finally over, O'Neal and Iverson bonded at the peak of their playing years. Even back then, there was already mutual admiration and respect between them. In 2001, they faced off in the NBA Finals, but that didn't affect their friendship at all. If anything, Shaq and A.I.'s relationship has grown stronger since then. It wasn't only O'Neal who appreciated Iverson. The 2001 NBA MVP also recognized Shaq's qualities both as a player and a person. In fact, Iverson took great pride in being labeled by some fans and analysts as Baby Shaq due to his resemblance to the legendary big man in terms of being a dominant player on the court. For Iverson, O'Neal is the greatest center of all time. On the other hand, Shaq recognizes Allen as one of the fiercest competitors he has ever faced. The friendship between the two icons of the game has already endured the test of time. Ultimately, they proved that true camaraderie could still take place between two literal story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sixers legend Allen Iverson ranked No. 4 shooting guard in NBA history
There is no question that Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson is one of the best players to ever play this great game. Standing at just 6-feet tall, Iverson would go toe-to-toe with the giants of the league and put on a dominant display of scoring the basketball. In 12 years with the Sixers, across two separate stints, Iverson averaged 27.6 points and 6.1 assists along with 3.9 rebounds. He won the MVP award in 2001 when he led the Sixers to the finals and was able to throw the franchise on his bony shoulders on numerous occasions. When it comes to the shooting guard position, Iverson ranks near the top. Of course, the great Michael Jordan takes the No. 1 spot followed by the late Kobe Bryant at No. 2 and Dwyane Wade at No. 3, and per HoopsHype's ranking, Iverson comes in ranked No. 4 on the list: A cultural icon as well as one of the best lead guards of his era, Allen Iverson has to be one of the most ridiculously explosive athletes the sport has ever seen, especially out of a player generously listed at 6-feet tall. Iverson's crossover was devastating (just ask Jordan), and his bombastic style as a scorer made for thrilling viewing throughout his prime. Iverson was one of the most influential players ever, both on and off the court was one of the most exciting players to watch and in his prime. He could really score with the best of them in such an unorthodox package. Iverson is one of the best players to ever play this game. One can make an argument for other impactful players at the 2-guard position over him, but Iverson's stamp on the game of basketball cannot be denied as he influenced an entire generation of young players trying to get into the game. This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers legend Allen Iverson ranked No. 4 shooting guard in NBA history
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Sneakers Kobe Bryant wore in first NBA start sell for large amount
Even five years after his tragic death, Kobe Bryant continues to be arguably the most beloved superstar in Los Angeles Lakers history. He helped lead the franchise to five NBA championships during his 20-year career and ended up scoring more points than any other guard in league history. One reason why Lakers fans fell in love with Bryant is the fact that he played his entire career with the team. Supporters of the Purple and Gold got to see him grow up from an unfiltered teenager into a refined, grown man and an excellent leader. Even as an 18-year-old rookie, people believed in his potential, even though he didn't play a lot that year. The sneakers he wore during the first game he was in L.A.'s starting lineup that season have reportedly been sold for just under a quarter million dollars. Via ESPN: "An autographed pair of Adidas EQT Top 10 shoes that Kobe Bryant wore in his first Los Angeles Lakers start have sold for $240,000 (including buyer's premium) with SCP Auctions, the second-largest sum ever paid for a pair of his sneakers," wrote Dan Hajducky. "Photo-matching company Sports Investors Authentication matched the shoes to 'being worn by Kobe Bryant on January 28, 1997 -- Bryant's first career NBA game as a starter.' Both shoes are signed, and both autographs include letters of authentication from Professional Sports Authenticator's authentication arm, PSA/DNA." That first start for Bryant came during a road game against the Dallas Mavericks, and on that day, he made five of his 11 field-goal attempts and scored 12 points in 32 minutes. Back in February, the sneakers Bryant wore in 2013 when he tore his Achilles went for $660,000 at an auction. In April, a jersey that was photo-matched to the one he wore during his first regular-season game was sold for $7 million.
