2024 NBA Draft: Coleman Hawkins, Cam Christie among top players with hardest portal-or-pro decisions to make

The May 29th NBA Draft withdrawal deadline is rapidly approaching, leaving dozens of players with big decision to make about their futures over the coming days. Among them are a bevy of talented players who have positioned themselves with maximum leverage by also entering the transfer portal as they mull where they will suit up in the 2024-25 season.

In addition to getting feedback from NBA franchises about their likelihood of being drafted or signed to a two-way contract, these players are also entertaining the option of returning to college basketball for a big NIL payday. If they withdraw from the draft, that will only be the first step in finalizing their futures as they will then have college decisions to make.

Not all players exploring the draft have entered the portal. Many with an NBA decision to make are not transferring and remain committed to returning to their previous school if they withdraw from the draft pool. We covered many of those big decisions earlier this week.

Now, it’s time to shine the light on those who are also in the portal. Their draft decisions will have a domino effect on college basketball. If these players opt to remain in the draft, it will force the college programs that have been jockeying for their transfer commitments to consult contingency plans for filling out their 2024-25 rosters.

With agents, professional organizations, college coaches, NIL collectives, family and friends all typically involved to a certain degree in these decisions, players must cut through the clutter to make an informed decision. It’s easier said than done, especially under the pressure of a deadline. As that deadline approaches, here are the top 10 players in the portal weighing whether to stay in the NBA Draft or return to college.

1. JT Toppin

Big Boardrank: 48 | Previous school: New Mexico

Toppin earned Mountain West Rookie of the Year while averaging 12.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and…


Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2024-nba-draft-coleman-hawkins-cam-christie-among-top-players-with-hardest-portal-or-pro-decisions-to-make/

Author : David Cobb

Publish date : 2024-05-24 15:22:50

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