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Stay or go.
That was the question facing a handful of key college basketball players who entered their names into the 2026 NBA Draft pool.
Players such as Flory Bidunga, Rueben Chinyelu and John Blackwell entered the NBA draft process this spring while preserving their college eligibility. All three figures ultimately decided to return to college, while others waited until just before the Wednesday, May 27 deadline to announce their final decisions.
Who is ready to return to college, who will move on to the pros and how will their decisions change the college basketball landscape heading into the 2026-27 season?
Decision: Fears will return to Michigan State. (source)
Impact: Fears announced he would return to the Spartans for his fourth season. The All-American point guard averaged 15.9 points and 9.4 assists per game in 2025-26. His decision to stay in East Lansing significantly improves Michigan State’s prospects, as the Spartans will enter the year as a top 10 team and a legitimate national championship contender.
Decision: Yessoufou will return to college and transfer to St. John’s. (source)
Impact: After waiting until the final minutes to enter the transfer portal, Yessoufou followed suit and only announced his decision to stay in college or enter the NBA draft after the deadline. Then, in a surprising move, it was reported that not only would Yessoufou be returning to college, but he would be transferring to St. John’s to play for legendary head coach Rick Pitino. With a core consisting of returning guard Ian Jackson, Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman and Yessoufou, St. John’s has the firepower to be one of the best teams in the Big East again next season.
Decision: Peat will remain in the NBA draft. (source)
Impact: Peat would take his talents to the NBA, officially becoming a star. The former five-star prospect had a successful first season in Arizona, averaging 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while helping the Wildcats reach their first Final Four since 2001. Peat joins fellow prospect Brayden Burries as a 2026 NBA Draft prospect. Meanwhile, Arizona must replace several key starters, including Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka and Anthony Dell’Orso. The Wildcats will rely on returnees Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov, as well as North Carolina transfer Derrick Dixon, Washington transfer JJ Mandaquit and incoming freshman Caleb Holt.
Decision: Momcilovic will return to college and transfer from Iowa State. (source)
Impact: The nation’s best 3-point shooter will return for his fourth season of college basketball. Momcilovic spent three years at Iowa State, averaging 16.9 points per game while leading the nation in 3-point shooting at 48.7 percent during his junior season with the Cyclones. After the season, he entered both the NBA Draft pool and the NCAA transfer portal. With his decision to stay in college, Momcilovic becomes one of the best transfers available on the market. He will provide his next team with elite shooting and veteran leadership capable of changing the prospects of top contenders for the 2026-27 season.
Decision: Tanner will return to Vanderbilt. (source)
Impact: Tanner will remain in college for his third season with the Commodores. He made one of the biggest strides of any sophomore last season, going from 5.7 points per game to 19.5 and 1.9 assists per game to 5.1. He led Vanderbilt to its first NCAA Tournament victory since 2012, although the run ended after his half-court swing ended in a loss to Nebraska. Tanner could also enter the season as a candidate for the Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the nation’s top point guard. After four of Vanderbilt’s top five players in minutes played graduated, the Commodores added Washington State transfer Ace Glass, Missouri transfer Barrett and Nebraska transfer Berke Buyuktuncel. Nonetheless, Tanner’s return constitutes the most significant development, as it significantly raises Vanderbilt’s ceiling for the 2026-27 season.
Decision: Allen will return to Alabama. (source)
Impact: Allen got feedback from NBA scouts, but ultimately decided to return to Alabama for his sophomore season. He could follow a similar path to Labaron Philon Jr., who tested the pro waters after his freshman year with the Crimson Tide, returned to school and now projects as a likely lottery pick. A good-sized, versatile guard, Allen averaged 11.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game as a freshman. With Philon gone, he should play a big role in Alabama’s backcourt.
Decision: Richmond will return to Arkansas. (source)
Impact: Arkansas tight end Billy Richmond III is reportedly returning to college for his third season. Richmond averaged 11.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game coming off the bench in 19 of the Razorbacks’ 37 games during the 2025-26 season. A versatile player, Richmond showed intensity and effort on the defensive end while displaying a high basketball IQ offensively. He will also provide a veteran presence for a roster that includes highly touted freshmen Jordan Smith Jr., JJ Andrews and Abdou Touré.
Decision: Thomas will remain in the NBA Draft (source)
Impact: Thomas waited until the official NBA draft withdrawal deadline to announce his decision, but the freshman ultimately chose to remain in the draft and begin his professional career. A former five-star prospect, Thomas averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 43.5 percent shooting from the field in his lone season at Arkansas. Head coach John Calipari will look to a talented freshman class to once again lead the way for his team next season.
Decision: Able will remain in college and transfer from NC State to North Carolina. (source)
Impact: After one season with the Wolfpack, Able will head west to Chapel Hill to play for the Tar Heels. He averaged 8.8 points in 21.8 minutes per game coming off the bench in every NC State game last season. However, it was a tumultuous year in Raleigh that ended with first-year head coach Will Wade – who recruited Able – leaving for LSU immediately after the season. Amid the instability, Able never fully demonstrated his potential, although he still earned praise from NBA scouts. A second college season and a change of scenery could help turn that promise into greater production and, ultimately, higher recruiting capital.
Decision: Stojakovic will return to Illinois. (source)
Impact: Stojakovic will remain in college for another season with the Illini. After stops at Stanford and Cal, he transferred to Illinois, where he averaged 13.5 points per game during his junior season. After starting 21 of the team’s first 23 games in 2025-26, Stojakovic embraced and thrived in a sixth-man role as the Illini made a run to the Final Four. With its decision to return, Illinois retains the majority of its core outside of guards Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell and will look to build on its deep push in the postseason.
