The 2026‑27 college basketball season is already being shaped by a surprising trend: a dozen players who were projected as first‑round picks have decided to pull their names from the NBA draft and return to school. This move is altering the preseason outlook for many programs and adding a new layer of uncertainty to the upcoming schedule.
Why Top Prospects Are Opting for College
Among them, Tounde Yessoufou has removed himself from NBA consideration and committed to St. John's, while Milan Momcilovic has taken the same route, becoming the most coveted prospect still available. Arizona, Kentucky, Louisville and St. John's are all reportedly pursuing Momcilovic, seeing in his return a chance to plug a gap left by departures and to reinforce their frontcourt.
Michigan's defending national champions are retooling their style to feature dynamic guards Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney, hoping to maintain their edge. UConn, meanwhile, will be without Solo Ball for the 2026‑27 campaign after wrist surgery, a loss that could affect their interior presence.
Arizona expects a boost from returning big men Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov, who should provide a solid foundation for a quick rebuild, while Duke's roster of returning players — including Cayden Boozer, Caleb Foster, Patrick Ngongba II and Dame Sarr — are expected to take a significant jump.
Other notable storylines include Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic, whose return is crucial but will be offset by the need to replace Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell, and Purdue's Caden Pierce, the Ivy League player of the year, who must adapt to the Big Ten.
Houston's Mercy Miller's late‑season surge hints at a possible breakout, while Iowa State continues its quest to finally advance past the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2000. St. John's landing Donnie Freeman and Yessoufou could push the Red Storm back into the Sweet 16, and Michigan State's Kaleb Glenn returns from a knee injury, easing the load on point guard Jeremy Fears Jr.
Coaches are also feeling the pressure: Tennessee's Rick Barnes signed five transfers who each averaged at least 15 points, Arkansas' Billy Richmond's return is being hailed as a pipedream fulfilled, and Nebraska's All‑Big Ten selection Pryce Sandfort alongside sixth‑man Braden Frager aim to extend the best stretch in program history.
Not all returns are without complications; Alabama's Aden Holloway's future remains uncertain after an arrest on felony drug charges, and Virginia's core of Thijs Ridder, Johann Grunloh, Sam Lewis and Chance Mallory will carry the bulk of the load.
Gonzaga's Braden Huff is expected to be fully healthy after missing the final months of the season, while Vanderbilt's Tyler Tanner will be surrounded by a host of new teammates, raising questions about chemistry. Kansas is banking on Tyran Stokes playing more regularly than Darryn Peterson did in his one‑and‑done season, and Texas Tech's JT Toppin is facing a year‑long rehab after tearing a knee ligament.
Across the country, coaches like Sean Miller at Texas have landed portal talent such as Isaiah Johnson and David Punch, while Louisville hopes to offset the loss of five starters by adding the top‑ranked portal class. Miami's Somto Cyril led the SEC in blocked shots last season and will provide an inside presence, whereas Wisconsin's loss of John Blackwell to Duke leaves a void that may be hard to fill.