NBA Draft decisions are beginning to take shape, with a handful of prospects making their intentions known in public interviews yesterday.
Stanford's Ebuka Okorie shared he is fully intent on staying in the draft, drastically changing the Cardinal's outlook for next season. Okorie came into the season relatively unheralded compared to his freshmen peers, but quickly turned into one of the most productive players in all of college basketball. Check out Joey Dwyer's feature on Okorie from November of last year:
Joey Dwyer
Another impactful decision came from German point guard and Gonzaga commit Jack Kayil. Kayil was slated to join the Bulldogs next season and play a prominent role, but will now forgo that opportunity after a strong showings at the combine and during his season with Alba Berlin. By most accounts, his decision comes as a surprise to Gonzaga, who are now left to fill a major void at the guard position.
Texas' Dailyn Swain and Duke's Isaiah Evans also affirmed their intentions to remain in the draft. Both are projected first round picks who were very clear about their commitments to the draft process early on.
As for those still undecided, Iowa State's Milan Momcilovic is still the biggest domino left on the board. Momcilovic intends on seeing the process through until the May 27 deadline, leaving the college teams pursuing him in limbo for now. Kentucky, Louisville, St. John's and UCLA are all in the mix for the coveted three-point shooter.
Vanderbilt's Tyler Tanner continues to express his desire to stay in the draft, but noted he hasn't made a decision just yet. "Me, my agent, my family, we'll have a conversation closer to the deadline … but right now, we're really not worried about college," Tanner said. If he returns to school, Tanner would be considered a top five player in the sport next season.
Finally, there's Kentucky's Malachi Moreno, who is generating more first-round buzz than previously expected. Moreno opted not to participate in the combine's 5-on-5 scrimmages and said, "After talks with my brother and my agent, they said they thought I was in a good spot." Moreno plans on scheduling a few more workouts before making a final decision. If he chooses to remain in the draft, Kentucky will likely have to rely on Washington transfer Franck Kepnang at the center position.
More scheduling news!
Duke and Illinois have agreed to a home-and-home series beginning at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 17. The return date in Champaign is scheduled for December 4, 2027. Both teams are expected to land in the preseason top five and contend for a national title next season.
Will Wade has always been bold with scheduling and that will continue at LSU as the Tigers are set to host High Point next season. The Big South champs are coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournaments and boast one of the largest NIL budgets at the mid-major level. It'll be the first regular season power conference opponent for the Panthers since 2023.
Notable commitments: Kevin Thomas (2026) to North Carolina | Kalu Anya (Saint Louis) to Virginia | Dame Salane (Arizona State) to Tulane | Mading Kuany (2026) to Georgia |
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