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That was the question facing a handful of key players in college basketball who entered their names into the 2026 NBA Draft pool.
Players like Flory Bidunga, Rueben Chinyelu and John Blackwell entered the NBA Draft process this spring while maintaining their college eligibility. All three standouts ultimately decided to return to college, while others waited until just before the Wednesday, May 27 deadline to announce their final decisions.
Who is set to head back to college, who will move on to the pros and how will their decisions change the landscape of college basketball heading into the 2026-27 season?
Decision: The fear will return to Michigan State. (source)
Impact: Fear announced he will return to the Spartans for his fourth season. The All-American point guard averaged 15.9 points and a nation-leading 9.4 assists per game in 2025-26. His decision to stay in East Lansing significantly boosts 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 didn’t announce his decision to stay in college or enter the NBA Draft until after the deadline. Then, in a surprising move, it was reported that Yessoufou would not only return to college, but he would transfer to St. John’s to play for legendary head coach Rick Pitino. With a core of returning guard Ian Jackson, Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman and Yessoufou, St. John’s firepower to once again be one of the top teams in the Big East next season.
Decision: Peat remains in the NBA Draft. (source)
Impact: Peat will take his talents to the NBA and officially become a one-and-done standout. The former five-star prospect had a successful freshman 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 freshman Brayden Burries as 2026 NBA Draft hopefuls. Meanwhile, Arizona must replace several key departures, including Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka and Anthony Dell’Orso. The Wildcats will lean on returnees Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov, along with North Carolina transfer Derrick Dixon, Washington transfer JJ Mandaquit and incoming freshman Caleb Holt.
Decision: Momcilovic returns to college, transferring from Iowa State. (source)
Impact: The nation’s top 3-point shooter returns for his fourth season of college basketball. Momcilovic spent three years at Iowa State, averaging 16.9 points per game. game while leading the nation in 3-point shooting at 48.7% 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 remain in college, Momcilovic becomes one of the best uncommitted transfers on the market. He will provide his next team with elite shooting and veteran leadership capable of changing the prospects of the top contenders for the 2026-27 season.
Decision: Tanner returns to Vanderbilt. (source)
Impact: Tanner remains in college in his third season with the Commodores. He made one of the biggest jumps of any year last season, improving from 5.7 points per game. match to 19.5 and from 1.9 assists per match to 5.1. He led Vanderbilt to its first NCAA Tournament win since 2012, though the run ended after his half-court buzzer beater rattled out 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 during the game graduated, the Commodores added Washington State transfer Ace Glass, Missouri transfer TIL Barrett and Nebraska transfer Berke Buyuktuncel. Still, Tanner’s return is the most important development as it raises Vanderbilt’s cap significantly for the 2026-27 season.
Decision: Allen returns to Alabama. (source)
Impact: Allen received 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 professional waters after his first year with the Crimson Tide, returned to school and now projects as a likely lottery pick. A versatile guard with good size, Allen averaged 11.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game as a freshman. With Philon on the way, he is expected to assume a featured role in Alabama’s backfield.
Decision: Richmond returns to Arkansas. (source)
Impact: Arkansas wing Billy Richmond III is reportedly returning to college for his third season. Richmond averaged 11.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while 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 featuring highly touted freshmen Jordan Smith Jr., JJ Andrews and Abdou Toure.
Decision: Thomas remains in the NBA Draft (source)
Impact: Thomas waited until after the official NBA Draft withdrawal deadline to announce his decision, but the rookie 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% shooting from the field in his only 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 stay in college and transfer from NC State to North Carolina. (source)
Impact: After one season with the Wolfpack, Able will head about 25 miles west to Chapel Hill to play for the Tar Heels. He averaged 8.8 points in 21.8 minutes per game. game while coming off the bench in every game for NC State 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 showed his potential, though he still earned praise from NBA scouts. Another college season and a change of scenery could help turn that promise into greater production and ultimately higher draw capital.
Decision: Stojakovic returns to Illinois. (source)
Impact: Stojakovic will stay 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. game in his junior season. After starting 21 of the team’s first 23 games in 2025-26, Stojakovic embraced and flourished in a sixth-man role as the Illini made a Final Four run. With his 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 postseason push.
