The deadline to enter the NBA draft and maintain your NCAA eligibility is April 26. So, we are getting down to the final days. Tentatively, players have until June 15 to go back to school and regain their eligibility. But, that could all change based on the coronavirus situation.
Last year, 175 players entered the early NBA draft portal. It is pacing to be a little under the number with all the uncertainty surrounding this year’s draft. Most are maintaining their eligibility, but the players on the list below are guaranteed to be in the draft.
- Cole Anthony (North Carolina)
- Vernon Carey Jr. (Duke)
- Devon Dotson (Kansas
- Anthony Edwards (Georgia)
- Malachi Flynn (San Diego State)
- Josh Green (Arizona)
- Ashton Hagans (Kentucky)
- Tyrese Haliburton (Iowa State)
- Killian Hayes (International)
- Tre Jones (Duke)
- Nico Mannion (Arizona)
- Tyrese Maxey (Kentucky)
- Jaden McDaniels (Washington
- Aaron Nesmith (Vanderbilt)
- Zeke Nnaji (Arizona)
- Jordan Nwora (Louisville)
- Onyeka Okongwu (USC)
- Isaac Okoro (Auburn)
- Daniel Oturu (Minnesota)
- Immanuel Quickley (Kentucky)
- Jalen Smith (Maryland)
- Cassius Stanley (Duke)
- Isaiah Stewart (Washington)
- Obi Toppin (Dayton)
- Devin Vassell (Florida State)
- Kahlil Whitney (Kentucky)
- Patrick Williams (Florida State)
- James Wiseman (Memphis)
Hunt for Haarms
Purdue transfer Matt Haarms has narrowed it down to Kentucky, Texas Tech, and BYU. He is a graduate transfer, so he will be immediately eligible.
With the mass exodus of players from Kentucky, Haarms would be a huge get for John Calipari. Haarms would also fit well into Chris Beard’s system at Texas Tech.
Haarms would be the star player at BYU, but I don’t see the Cougars being that good next year. They are losing a ton of production and competing for an NCAA berth seems unlikely. I think this comes down to either Kentucky or Texas Tech, but my money is on the Wildcats to land Haarms.
Ranking the Transfers
A lot of the big names have already made their decisions. But, there are still difference-makers for mid-majors, or the Power 5 teams looking to add depth.
Justin Kier, a graduate transfer from George Mason, is the next best player available. He didn’t play much last year due to injury but averaged over 14 points and six rebounds in 2018-19. His final list consists of Arkansas, Georgetown, Georgia, Iowa State, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina State, and a possible return to George Mason.
Chudier Bile, a graduate transfer from Northwestern State, is 6-7 and has had big games against good teams. He scored 20 or more against LSU and Stephen F. Austin last year. He averaged 14.3 points and 7.6 rebounds. He has not listed his possible teams for next year.
Drew Buggs, a graduate transfer from Hawaii, is a 6-3 point guard. He averaged over nine points, four rebounds, and five assists. Wichita State, Oregon, Washington State, Utah State, California, and San Diego State have all reached out.
The assumption is he will stay on the West Coast. Oregon and San Diego State would give him the best chance at playing on the second weekend of the NCAA tournament next year.
