Evans and Veesaar Confirm NBA Draft Commitment at Combine

During the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, Duke forward Isaiah Evans and North Carolina center Henri Veesaar each announced they will remain in the 2026 NBA Draft. Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie also confirmed his intention to stay, joining a group of prospects who have closed the door on a return to college as the May 27 withdrawal deadline approaches.

ESPN

Evans, a 6-foot-5.5 forward, posted a 6-8.75-inch wingspan and an 8-8.5-inch standing reach. He averaged 15.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in his sophomore season at Duke and measured 186 lb at the combine. Veesaar, a 7-foot-2-inch center with a 9-foot-3-inch standing reach, recorded a 73.7-point combine score. He shot 48 % from three in the three-point star drill (12-of-25) and 60 % off the dribble (18-of-30), ranking third among participants. Veesaar’s college season produced 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 60.8 % from the floor and 42.6 % from three-point range.

Sports Illustrated

Both players emphasized personal agency in their decisions. Evans told reporters he “has closed the door on a return to college” and has “met with the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards and New York Knicks.” Veesaar said staying in the draft is “100 % my decision” and that the NBA “will help me develop more, get better at basketball quicker.” Okorie added that he “already talked with Coach Smith, Kyle Smith, and I talked to my agents and my family” before confirming his draft stay.

ESPN

Analysts note that Veesaar’s defensive intensity remains a concern, describing him as “not considered a potential lottery pick” and highlighting a need for stronger interior defense. Evans is cited for “needing to improve defensively” and for refining shot selection and decision-making. These critiques suggest both prospects may need to address specific weaknesses to secure their projected draft slots.

ESPN

• Veesaar: 17.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 60.8 % FG, 42.6 % 3P, 73.7 combine score, 7-foot-2-inch wingspan, 9-foot-3-inch reach.

Sports Illustrated

• Evans: 15.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 6-foot-5.5 height, 186 lb, 6-8.75-inch wingspan, 8-8.5-inch reach.

247Sports

• Withdrawal deadline: May 27.

ESPN

The decisions add two proven stretch-big prospects to a draft class that lacks traditional centers, giving teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets immediate options to address interior scoring and floor spacing. Their departures also leave Duke and North Carolina without cornerstone players for the upcoming collegiate season, influencing roster planning and recruiting.

Charlotte Observer

Mock drafts vary: Veesaar is projected anywhere from the late first round (pick 23 by Atlanta) to the early second round, while Evans is placed between the mid-first and late-first rounds. No consensus exists on exact draft positions, and neither player has publicly disclosed detailed feedback from individual team workouts.

ESPN

• “I’m fully in.” — Isaiah Evans, Duke forward

Charlotte Observer

• “I'm all-in on staying in the draft,” — Henri Veesaar, UNC center

ESPN

• “I think I'm a really exciting player,” — Isaiah Evans, Duke forward

247Sports

• “It's 100% my decision to stay. I think it's the right decision, basketball-wise.” — Henri Veesaar, UNC center

ESPN

• “I already talked with Coach Smith, Kyle Smith, and I talked to my agents and my family,” — Ebuka Okorie, Stanford guard

ESPN

Prospects will attend individual team workouts through early June, after which the NBA Draft will be held at the Barclays Center. Players who reconsider may still withdraw before the May 27 deadline, but Evans, Veesaar and Okorie have signaled no intention to do so.

ESPN