After weeks of pre-draft preparations for 2022 NBA prospects — including private workouts, G League elite training camps and the NBA Draft Combine — the underclassmen in the draft will now be fast-tracking the NCAA’s 11:59 p.m. Wednesday night. Exit Deadline Eastern Time. Expect to be busy in decision-making as players on the fence make the final call.
We’ve seen some big-name players leave the board and decide to either go back to school or stay in the draft, and there will be more soon. Stanford wing Harrison IngramThe projected first-round pick, one such name that surprised some, announced last week that he would drop out of the draft and return to Stanford as a sophomore in 2022-23. Louisiana Tech Big man Kenny Lofton Jr. gave us another surprise in a different direction, as the 19-year-old big man is also in the transfer portal fully committed to staying in the draft, with a great combination of G League elite training camp and the draft .
Still, there are many important decisions lurking out there that could come within hours or days. The NBA has its own separate early entrant exit deadline set for June 13 at 5 p.m. ET, but over the past year, nearly every underclassman has made a decision on or before the NCAA’s own deadline — — which means the next few days are likely to be particularly noisy.
As we stare at the deadline, here are seven potential clients who have yet to decide their fate and face very tough decisions.
Caleb Holstein, Mussa Diabat (Michigan)
There have been rumors for weeks that Houston may be leaning in a particular direction after he declined an invitation to the NBA combined draft, with rumors that he could be committed late in the first round.for a possible need A strong Combine would really move the board upwards, and the rumours certainly make a lot of sense.
But Holstein didn’t somehow hint at his decision, even if his maneuvers around the coalition led people to speculate in one direction. Going too far in stocks at this point might be foolish gold for Michigan, but history shows that the little things he’s been doing will somehow lead him to stay in the draft.
Diabate is another Michigan player who faces a very challenging selection here. Houstan’s decision seemed to be more slick — if he was a first-rounder, it would make sense for him to leave — but Diabate’s decision seemed less certain. He’s not a first-rounder right now, but he’s had a few weeks before the draft. The draft decision is obviously not made out of thin air. Diabate has been very active training for the team over the past few weeks, and while that’s exactly what the draft process is about, it wouldn’t be surprising if Michigan ends up losing both Houston and Diabate.
Chris Murray (Iowa)
In the slightly more positive Big Ten news, Murray was one of two combined invitations to decline — along with the aforementioned Houston — as speculation swarmed from the decision that he might return to Iowa.
Murray had a solid sophomore season with the Hawkeyes last season, transitioning from a small player to a rotation player and possessing the physical tools and game to eventually be considered a first-rounder. But it’s best to have him back in college for at least one more season to prove his NBA worth in an expanded role, which he’ll likely get when brother Keegan leaves this year’s lottery.
Julian Strawther, Drutim (Gonzaga)
gonzaga lost Chet Holmgren But still waiting for Julian Strawther’s decision and With the deadline approaching, Drew Timme. The former may have the toughest decision as he is considered a late first-round or early second-round prospect. After averaging nearly 12 points and shooting 36.5 percent from 3-point range last season, he thinks he should be an interesting NBA role player.
Both Strawther and Timme have real traction in the NIL market, and Timme, arguably the most recognizable name in college basketball and Strawther, has the potential to be a true breakout star in college basketball next season if he returns to a bigger role.
Trevor Keel (Duke)
Stay and become a potential No. 1 pick for a top-10 team while developing into a potential lottery pick. Or leave and be content to be picked somewhere between 25 and 40. That’s the battle Keels may be weighing right now. Could go from role player to star for Duke and first-year head coach Jon Scheyer, but could also stay in the draft and possibly be selected late in the first round.
I’ve said before that going back to school is probably best for Keels, where he can showcase his versatility in an extended role and bring his talents to the NBA in the 2023 draft, where he might Lock in the top 20. But there is no clear choice between the two. The allure of being a first-rounder is hard to pass up, as Duke has recruited four five-star players and is reportedly going to be a combination of transfer star AJ Green.
Darren Terry (Arizona)
Decide: Remaining in the NBA draft
What does it mean: Arizona’s Darren Terry’s draft range is increasingly becoming one of the harder to lock down than almost any prospect in this draft. It could be in the top 20, it could be someone outside the top 40, it wouldn’t surprise me. Either way: He announced Tuesday that he will waive his remaining college eligibility and remain in the draft.
Terry was great last season as a role player for the Wildcats, rebounding, hitting 3-pointers, and taking on some minor burdens as a playmaker. But Arizona was loaded last season. The overall performance we saw was very limited, even though he started 37 times in 37 games. (That’s what happens when you’re playing next to two potential first-rounders.) Still, teams dump themselves, hoping to shoot on a young wing who can shoot, but still There is a lot of untapped potential.
