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The deadline to withdraw from the 2026 NBA draft came and went on Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET, and now, most college basketball rosters are close to complete for the 2026-27 season.
Some of the withdrawals were expected. Florida's Rueben Chinyelu and North Carolina transfer addition Matt Able, for example, revealed their decisions to return to school ahead of Wednesday's deadline. Other players, however, waited until the 11th hour to reveal their returns to college.
While some college basketball stars — perhaps most notably Arizona star freshman Koa Peat — opted to remain in the draft and pursue their professional dreams, there are still some massive names who will be coming back next season. Here are the five biggest stars who withdrew from the draft at the deadline.
Potentially the biggest news on withdrawal day came when the former Iowa State star decided to return to school after entering the transfer portal. Momcilovic was a Second Team All-Big 12 selection in 2026, averaging 16.9 points and 3.1 rebounds as a junior this past season. He also shot 48.7% from three-point range.
Kentucky, Louisville, St. John's and Arizona are reportedly the top contenders to land Momcilovic, who is now the top available uncommitted player in the portal.
Rick Pitino and the Red Storm were one of the biggest winners in the transfer portal, and they were also a major victor from the draft withdrawal deadline. Yessoufou, a former five-star recruit and Baylor wing who averaged 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds as a true freshman this offseason, committed to St. John's as he withdrew from the draft. He will now head to the Big Apple for his sophomore season.
Nate Oats got a major piece back when Allen, a Freshman All-SEC selection, announced that he would be returning to the Crimson Tide on withdrawal day. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists this past season, and he could be one of the best players in the league this upcoming season.
Mark Byington is getting one of the SEC's most electric guards back for the 2026-27 season as Tanner withdrew from the draft on Wednesday. Tanner averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 assists and 2.4 steals, shooting 36.8% from three and earning First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team honors. He could be one of the nation's biggest backcourt stars as a junior next season.
Coach John Calipari's squad is losing potential top-five pick Darius Acuff, but it scored a major retention with Richmond set to return. After it was initially reported that Richmond would remain in the draft, he reversed course and will return to Fayetteville. The SEC All-Defensive selection averaged 11.2 points and 4.3 rebounds, and his return is welcome after freshman guard Meleek Thomas opted to follow Acuff's footsteps and remain in the draft.
Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: 5 biggest college basketball stars who withdrew from 2026 NBA draft
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Some of the withdrawals were expected. Florida's Rueben Chinyelu and North Carolina transfer addition Matt Able, for example, revealed their decisions to return to school ahead of Wednesday's deadline. Other players, however, waited until the 11th hour to reveal their returns to college.
While some college basketball stars — perhaps most notably Arizona star freshman Koa Peat — opted to remain in the draft and pursue their professional dreams, there are still some massive names who will be coming back next season. Here are the five biggest stars who withdrew from the draft at the deadline.
Milan Momcilovic (Uncommitted transfer)
Potentially the biggest news on withdrawal day came when the former Iowa State star decided to return to school after entering the transfer portal. Momcilovic was a Second Team All-Big 12 selection in 2026, averaging 16.9 points and 3.1 rebounds as a junior this past season. He also shot 48.7% from three-point range.
Kentucky, Louisville, St. John's and Arizona are reportedly the top contenders to land Momcilovic, who is now the top available uncommitted player in the portal.
Tounde Yessoufou (St. John's commit)
Rick Pitino and the Red Storm were one of the biggest winners in the transfer portal, and they were also a major victor from the draft withdrawal deadline. Yessoufou, a former five-star recruit and Baylor wing who averaged 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds as a true freshman this offseason, committed to St. John's as he withdrew from the draft. He will now head to the Big Apple for his sophomore season.
Amari Allen (Alabama)
Nate Oats got a major piece back when Allen, a Freshman All-SEC selection, announced that he would be returning to the Crimson Tide on withdrawal day. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists this past season, and he could be one of the best players in the league this upcoming season.
Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt)
Mark Byington is getting one of the SEC's most electric guards back for the 2026-27 season as Tanner withdrew from the draft on Wednesday. Tanner averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 assists and 2.4 steals, shooting 36.8% from three and earning First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team honors. He could be one of the nation's biggest backcourt stars as a junior next season.
Billy Richmond (Arkansas)
Coach John Calipari's squad is losing potential top-five pick Darius Acuff, but it scored a major retention with Richmond set to return. After it was initially reported that Richmond would remain in the draft, he reversed course and will return to Fayetteville. The SEC All-Defensive selection averaged 11.2 points and 4.3 rebounds, and his return is welcome after freshman guard Meleek Thomas opted to follow Acuff's footsteps and remain in the draft.
Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: 5 biggest college basketball stars who withdrew from 2026 NBA draft
Continue reading...
