
Top 50 Returning College Basketball Players for 2026‑27 Season
The latest rankings spotlight Florida’s depth, with three players in the top 13, while standout returnees across the nation prepare for a pivotal season.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Motiejus Krivas across Basketball.

The latest rankings spotlight Florida’s depth, with three players in the top 13, while standout returnees across the nation prepare for a pivotal season.

With the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline passed, a wave of elite talent has chosen to stay in college, reshaping the preseason rankings and setting the stage for a competitive 2026‑27 campaign.

A look at the high‑profile college athletes who have chosen to return to school or enter the 2026 NBA Draft, and how their moves will affect their programs' outlooks.

The NBA Draft withdrawal deadline has cleared the picture for the 2026‑27 season, with a wave of elite players opting to return to their colleges. Their presence promises to reshape contender dynamics and elevate the competition.

The article ranks the 15 best returning players in men's college basketball after the NBA draft deadline, highlighting their performances and contributions to their respective teams.

Milan Momcilovic, the No. 2 transfer portal prospect, has decided to withdraw from the 2026 NBA Draft, choosing instead to complete his senior year and reshape the upcoming college basketball landscape.
The Wildcats must navigate a shifting roster, potential transfers, and an evolving draft landscape before the fall semester.
Arizona’s roster hinges on Koa Peat’s draft decision and a potential pursuit of sharpshooter Milan Momcilovic, with the NBA draft deadline looming.

As the 2026 NBA Draft deadline approaches, several college standouts must decide whether to test the professional waters or return to school for another season.

Koa Peat has exactly seven days to lock in his plans for the upcoming basketball season, a deadline that has turned the Arizona sophomore’s future into a focal point of offseason chatter. The Wildcats’ coaching staff has already drafted a 13‑player lineup that assumes Peat will opt for the professional route, a move that reshapes the team’s identity heading into the 2026‑27 campaign. Among the returning pieces, forward Ivan Kharchenkov and center Motiejus Krivas are slated to reclaim starting roles, bringing a blend of veteran presence and untapped upside to the paint. New additions promise fresh energy: transfers Derek Dixon, JJ Mandaquit, Evan Otte and Ugnius Jarusevicius join the mix, while top high‑school recruit Caleb Holt and fellow prospect Cameron Holmes arrive from the prep ranks. With only 27.5% of last season’s minutes returning, the roster must lean on emerging leaders to shoulder increased responsibility, a challenge that could define the team’s chemistry. The Wildcats will test their revamped squad on an ambitious overseas swing, beginning with a series of games in Lithuania that will serve as both a tactical experiment and a bonding experience. Back on U.S. soil, the nonconference slate features marquee matchups against UCLA, Connecticut, Auburn and St. John’s, each opponent offering a distinct style that will probe Arizona’s adaptability. As the countdown ticks down, the decisions made in the coming week will reverberate through the program, influencing not only Peat’s trajectory but also the broader narrative of a team poised to rewrite its identity.

Koa Peat's upcoming choice will shape Arizona's roster, nonconference schedule and ambitions for the 2026-27 campaign.

From August 14 to 23, the University of Arizona men's basketball team will travel to Lithuania for a series of high‑profile exhibition matches, marking a milestone for both programs.

St. John's has risen to No. 16 in the 2026‑27 CBS Sports Preseason Top 25 And 1 rankings after securing a commitment from four‑star forward Theo Edema, while Coach Rick Pitino looks to bolster the roster with two additional transfers.

From August 14 to 23, the University of Arizona men’s basketball squad travels to Lithuania, facing the nation’s B team, senior side and Ukraine’s national squad, while integrating three Lithuanian-born players into a roster that could reshape next season’s dynamics.

After a 36‑3 season and a Final Four run, the University of Arizona will play three games in Kaunas and Palanga, marking the first meeting between the Lithuanian senior men’s team and a college squad.

Arizona adds 6‑foot‑11 center Evan Otten, bolstering its frontcourt with defensive experience and depth as the roster nears completion.

Arizona’s roster is set to gain a 6‑foot‑11, 240‑pound presence after Evan Otten, a two‑year eligible transfer from Idaho State, signed with the Wildcats, bolstering depth and insurance for injuries.

Arizona adds depth and shot‑blocking ability as former Big Sky Freshman of the Year Evan Otten joins the program, alongside returning standout Motiejus Krivas and other transfers.

After a promising stint at Central Michigan, Jarusevicius hopes to bring rebounding and post play to Tucson as he finishes his college career.

After reaching the NCAA Final Four, Arizona is reshaping its roster, betting on Ugnius Jarusevicius to fill the void left by departing stars.

Arizona’s basketball program has secured the commitment of Ugnius Jarusevicius, a 6‑foot‑11 forward with a proven scoring record, as the Wildcats look to bolster their lineup under head coach Tommy Lloyd.

After a promising stint at Central Michigan and a back injury that limited his 2025‑26 campaign, Jarusevicius signs with Arizona, joining a growing list of Lithuanian players under coach Tommy Lloyd.

The Arizona Wildcats welcome a 6‑foot‑11 senior forward with international pedigree, as the program eyes further roster upgrades before the NBA Draft deadline.