With the 2024 NBA draft approaching, there are some key college basketball players that withdrew from the early entry deadline. These decisions have heavily impacted many collegiate programs going into the 2024-25 season. Here’s a look at seven programs that won big, according to Andy Katz. Records are from this past season:
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Arizona (27-9): Caleb Love is returning to play for Tommy Lloyd. The Pac-12’s best player this past season could be the Big 12’s best player this upcoming season.
Kentucky (23-10): Mark Pope desperately needed players to come back from the draft to play for him. He’ll have players coming into the program like Andrew Carr (Wake Forest), Lamont Butler (San Diego State), Koby Brea (Dayton), Amari Williams (Drexel) and Jaxson Robinson (BYU) — a core group of players that’s going to be playing in Lexington.
Arkansas (16-17): The Razorbacks are not only getting Hall of Famer John Calipari as coach, but he’s also getting heavy hitters who withdrew from the NBA draft such as Trevon Brazile, Jonas Aidoo (Tennessee) and Johnell Davis (Florida Atlantic).
Baylor (24-11): Former Duke point guard Jeremy Roach and former Miami forward Norchad Omier withdrew from the draft to play under coach Scott Drew.
Kansas (23-11): Wisconsin’s leading scorer last season AJ Storr is now a Jayhawk and withdrew from the 2024 NBA draft to play for coach Bill Self.
UConn (37-3) Forward Alex Karaban returns after withdrawing from the draft as the Huskies try to win a third consecutive national championship.
Alabama (25-12): Mark Sears and Jarin Stevenson return to play for the Crimson Tide after withdrawing from the 2024 NBA draft as Alabama hopes for another Final Four run.
