14 Prospects Said "Later!" to the NBA Draft, And the 2027 Class Is Already Scrambling

Holy smokes, what a week! The NCAA's May 27 withdrawal deadline for the 2026 NBA Draft came and went, and if you weren't paying attention, you missed some wild moves. We just got the updated rankings, and while the very top looks stable, a massive wave of talent pulled the plug on 2026, dropping some serious implications for the future!

NIL Strikes Again: The Great College Return

So, get this: in the 10-day period after the combine, a whopping 14 NBA prospects, all from the top 100 on the board, decided to go back to school! Can you believe it? This wasn't some shocker to NBA teams, though. They apparently saw this coming all season because of how NIL has completely changed the game. If you weren't seen as a consensus first-round lock, almost every single player said, "Nah, I'm good," and went back to college. They're all set to get well-compensated by their Division I programs, too. It’s wild what a difference a few extra bucks can make, right?

This huge wave of returners is now looking ahead to a 2027 draft class that NBA teams are calling "very flat." Seriously, it presently "lacks obvious high-end, star-level prospects." That means there's a ton of room for these guys who returned to stabilize or boost their standing next year. The chess game is real, folks!

Who's STILL In? The Top Dogs Are Ready!

Even with all those withdrawals, the very top of the board is still loaded, thank goodness. All 25 of our top prospects are locked in and staying in the 2026 draft, ready to make their leap. There's been plenty of movement elsewhere in the top 100 based on new intel from the draft combine and other factors as we roll into June. Remember, the NBA's final draft withdrawal date is June 13, but that mostly applies to international players.

Leading the pack at No. 1 is BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa, a 6-9 small forward who's just 19.3 years old. This kid has seriously made his case for the top spot over the last six months. His combine measurements were off the charts, reaffirming his "excellent physical traits" for a scoring wing. Whether he lands at No. 1 with Washington or No. 2 with Utah, he's a "potential franchise-level talent" because of how much he's improved as an all-around offensive player. He still needs to polish his 3-point shooting, ballhandling, and defensive engagement, but execs see him as the "safest choice" among the top tier.

Right behind him at No. 2, we’ve got Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson, a 6-6 guard who’s 19.4. It was a tough call to drop him to No. 2 even with some "weirdness" during his season at Kansas. This guy measured well at the combine and apparently crushed his interviews, showing an "introverted personality" but a high "individual care factor." It would be a shocker if he falls out of the top two. He's the "most gifted scorer and shotmaker" in this class, and while his game-changing moments at Kansas were "loud but infrequent," when he's on, nobody can match his scoring prowess. He just needs to keep improving as an on-ball creator.

What's Next? The Talent Hunt Continues!

So, what's left for us draft fanatics? We're on the edge of our seats watching these top guys continue to hone their skills before the big night. With 14 prospects opting out of 2026, it puts a spotlight on every single move Dybantsa and Peterson make. That June 13 deadline for international players is the next big date, but after that, it's all about scouting reports and anticipation. We're looking for the next star, and this draft class is shaping up to deliver at the top!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.