SouthernWorldwide.com – The college basketball landscape for the 2026-27 season is being significantly reshaped by a wave of player decisions regarding the NBA Draft and transfer portal.
The “stay or go” dilemma has been a central theme for numerous standout college athletes who entered their names into the 2026 NBA Draft pool. Many of these players aimed to test the professional waters while preserving their NCAA eligibility.
Key figures such as Flory Bidunga, Rueben Chinyelu, and John Blackwell initially declared for the NBA Draft. Ultimately, all three decided to return to their respective college programs. Others, however, waited until the eleventh hour, with final decisions announced just before the May 27 deadline.
These crucial choices will inevitably alter the trajectory of collegiate programs, influencing team dynamics, championship aspirations, and the overall competitive balance for the upcoming season.
Decision: Fears will return to Michigan State.
Impact: Jahmir Fears has announced his return to the Michigan State Spartans for his fourth season. The All-American point guard was a dominant force in the 2025-26 season, averaging 15.9 points and a nation-leading 9.4 assists per game.
Fears’ decision to remain in East Lansing provides a massive boost to Michigan State’s outlook. The Spartans are now poised to enter the season as a top-10 team and a legitimate contender for the national championship.
Decision: Yessoufou will return to college and transfer to St. John’s.
Impact: In a surprising move, T.J. Yessoufou entered the transfer portal and waited until the final moments to declare his intentions. He will return to college basketball and transfer to St. John’s to play under legendary coach Rick Pitino.
With a strong returning core that includes guard Ian Jackson and Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman, Yessoufou’s addition bolsters St. John’s firepower. The Red Storm are now positioned to be one of the top teams in the Big East Conference next season.
Decision: Peat will remain in the NBA Draft.
Impact: Cody Peat has officially declared for the NBA Draft, marking him as a one-and-done standout. The former five-star prospect had a highly successful freshman season at Arizona, contributing 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while helping the Wildcats reach their first Final Four since 2001.
Peat joins fellow freshman Brayden Burries as an NBA Draft hopeful from Arizona. The Wildcats will face the challenge of replacing significant departures, including Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka, and Anthony Dell’Orso.
Arizona’s returning players like Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov, along with transfers Derrick Dixon (Washington State) and JJ Mandaquit (Washington), and incoming freshman Caleb Holt, will be crucial in filling the void.
Decision: Momcilovic will return to college and transfer from Iowa State.
Impact: Milan Momcilovic, widely considered the nation’s best 3-point shooter, will return for his fourth college season. After three years at Iowa State, where he averaged 16.9 points per game and led the nation in 3-point shooting at 48.7% during his junior year, Momcilovic entered both the NBA Draft pool and the NCAA transfer portal.
His decision to remain in college makes him one of the top uncommitted transfers available. Momcilovic brings elite shooting and veteran leadership, capable of significantly impacting the outlook of any top contender for the 2026-27 season.
Decision: Tanner will return to Vanderbilt.
Impact: Ezra Tanner will continue his collegiate career for a third season with the Vanderbilt Commodores. He experienced a remarkable sophomore season, elevating his scoring from 5.7 points per game to 19.5, and his assists from 1.9 to 5.1.
Tanner was instrumental in Vanderbilt’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2012, though their run ended narrowly. He is also considered a strong candidate for the Bob Cousy Award, given to the nation’s top point guard.
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With four of Vanderbilt’s top five minute-getters having graduated, the Commodores have added key transfers: Ace Glass (Washington State), T.O. Barrett (Missouri), and Berke Buyuktuncel (Nebraska). However, Tanner’s return is the most critical development, substantially raising Vanderbilt’s potential for the 2026-27 season.
Decision: Allen will return to Alabama.
Impact: Jarin Allen has decided to return to Alabama for his sophomore season after receiving feedback from NBA scouts. His path could mirror that of Labaron Philon Jr., who tested the professional waters after his freshman year, returned to school, and is now projected as a likely lottery pick.
Allen, a versatile guard with good size, averaged 11.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game as a freshman. With Philon’s departure, Allen is expected to assume a featured role in Alabama’s backcourt.
Decision: Richmond will return to Arkansas.
Impact: Billy Richmond III is reportedly returning to Arkansas for his third season. During the 2025-26 season, Richmond averaged 11.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, coming off the bench in 19 of the Razorbacks’ 37 contests.
Richmond is a versatile player who demonstrated intensity and defensive effort, coupled with a high basketball IQ on offense. He will provide valuable veteran presence for a roster that includes highly touted freshmen Jordan Smith Jr., JJ Andrews, and Abdou Toure.
Decision: Thomas will remain in the NBA Draft.
Impact: Meleek Thomas, a freshman standout, has officially decided to remain in the NBA Draft, foregoing his collegiate eligibility to begin his professional career. He waited until after the official NBA Draft withdrawal deadline to make his announcement.
A former five-star prospect, Thomas averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, shooting 43.5% from the field in his single season at Arkansas. Head coach John Calipari will rely on a talented incoming freshman class to lead the team next season.
Decision: Able will stay in college and transfer from NC State to North Carolina.
Impact: After one season with NC State, D.J. Able will transfer approximately 25 miles west to Chapel Hill to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels. He averaged 8.8 points in 21.8 minutes per game, coming off the bench in every game for the Wolfpack last season.
It was a turbulent year in Raleigh, which saw first-year head coach Will Wade, who recruited Able, depart for LSU immediately after the season. Amidst this instability, Able did not fully realize his potential, though he still garnered praise from NBA scouts.
A second college season and a change of scenery could help him translate his promise into greater production and ultimately, higher draft capital.
Decision: Stojakovic will return to Illinois.
Impact: S head coach Brad Underwood. After previous stops at Stanford and Cal, he transferred to Illinois, where he averaged 13.5 points per game during his junior season.
Following a period where he embraced and flourished in a sixth-man role as the Illini made a Final Four run, Stojakovic has decided to remain with the program. Illinois retains the majority of its core players, with the exception of guards Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell, and aims to build upon their deep postseason success.
