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Top Prospects Withdraw from 2026 Draft, Return to College

5/28/2026

50 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Matt Able and Shane Blakeney withdrew from 2026 NBA Draft, with Able heading to North Carolina and Blakeney joining South Carolina for 2026-27.
Milan Momcilovic withdrew after the Chicago NBA Combine to return for a fourth college season.
Billy Richmond and Andrej Stojakovic withdrew and will return to Arkansas and Illinois after averaging 11.2 and 13.5 points.
The deadline spurred a transfer wave, with Tounde Yessoufou and Koa Peat deciding.

History

Historical Context

When Nate Robinson entered the 2005 NBA draft as the 21st overall pick, his move underscored the choice faced by college players. The 2026 withdrawals by Matt Able, Shane Blakeney and others revive that pattern, prompting programs like North Carolina and Illinois to revisit now intense future recruiting approaches across the nation’s college basketball landscape.

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Story summary

Matt Able and Shane Blakeney withdrew from 2026 NBA Draft, with Able heading to North Carolina and Blakeney joining South Carolina for 2026-27.
Milan Momcilovic withdrew after the Chicago NBA Combine to return for a fourth college season.
Billy Richmond and Andrej Stojakovic withdrew and will return to Arkansas and Illinois after averaging 11.2 and 13.5 points.
The deadline spurred a transfer wave, with Tounde Yessoufou and Koa Peat deciding.

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