Thoughts on the NCAA Withdrawal Period

The NCAA’s eligibility withdrawal deadline has come and gone, and I think it is safe to say that this year’s deadline was one of the more eventful ones in recent years. With NIL numbers exploding this offseason, and power 5 schools across the country hoping to secure a roster that can at minimum lead them to the NCAA Tournament, more players than normal seemed to return to the college ranks.

Labaron Philon

The highest-ranked player on my board to return, and perhaps the most shocking, was Labaron Philon. Ranked number 22 on my board and anywhere from 20-45 on consensus boards, it seemed that Philon would not be returning to Tuscaloosa anytime soon, even saying at the combine that he was "all in on starting [his] pro career" and had "closed the door on a return to college."

This is a huge get for Alabama, who I had considered inner circle title contenders before their loss to Duke in the Elite Eight. Mark Sears' departure would always be a large void to fill. Still, Philon returning alongside Aden Holloway and new addition Jalil Bethea will be a major boon to the Crimson Tide backcourt, with Philon likely looking to lead the way for another late March run for the Nate Oats squad.

For Philon’s future NBA career, I don’t think this is a bad move. I had always considered him a player who would return top 15-20 value in the class, possessing the skill level and basketball IQ at the point guard position that tends to have staying power in the league, but Philon’s current thin frame and lack of clear three-point shooting would limit his ability to play from day one. This could mean his impact comes later on a 2nd contract, and not for the team that drafts him, similar to players like Sam Merrill or Kris Dunn. An NBA spot will be waiting for Philon one day, and I will have him slated in my top 16 area to begin this 2026 area.

Tahaad Pettiford

The next highest ranked player on my board to return was another SEC guard in Tahaad Pettiford. For a while, I had assumed Pettiford was going to return to Auburn for another shot at NCAA glory, but at the combine, this seemed less likely. He predictably performed well in athletic testing, but during the first day of scrimmages, he played incredibly well, and the next day did not participate, which can often mean he had received a promise to be drafted.

For a while, I didn’t know how to rank Pettiford. At one point on my podcast, I had posed the question, “How much better is Rob [Dillingham] as a prospect than Tahaad?” Rob’s inability to crack real NBA minutes this season likely had an impact on Pettiford being outside my top 30, and I think going back and adding little wrinkles to his game is the best thing for his NBA success. Pettiford wasn’t as polished a passer as many thought Dillingham was, simply showing his passing in flashes as opposed to true possession-to-possession playmaking. Going back and operating more with the ball in his hands and adding strength will be key for the New Jersey native.

Alex Condon

This one wasn’t very surprising. Condon’s name had cooled off quite a bit going into March, with teammate Thomas Haugh arguably overtaking the Australian as a prospect. Despite winning an NCAA title, Condon wasn’t that impressive in the NCAA tournament either, with games that included his one-point performance against Auburn in the National Semifinal, and a 4 turnover performance in the National Championship clinching game. Still, Condon is an NCAA champion and a large part of one of the most impressive teams in collegiate history.

The key for Condon is shooting and physicality. Condon is almost a consistent shooter, displaying good touch and form, but he only shot 33%, and that needs to improve to operate as a DHO hub and spacer in the NBA. Condon also let offensive players get into his chest too much, and he needs to get stronger next season. Going back to Florida and playing with the aforementioned Haugh and a loaded guard transfer class is likely the best thing for Condon, regardless of the NIL figure.

Boogie Fland

Ah, yes, the Florida guard transfer class. This is one I don’t know how to evaluate. I was very happy when Fland returned to school. His outright lack of finishing at the rim was appalling, and while a lot of the other parts of his game are great, I just couldn’t get over the fact that his entire game was centered on the jumper. Fland’s choice to go to Florida is an interesting one, as he will be joining Princeton transfer and another potential prospect in Xavian Lee, who is arguably a more talented scorer than Fland. I am intrigued to see how Fland plays more off-the-ball this season, and in Florida’s much more advanced, movement-based offense than Arkansas, as sharing the ball with not only Lee but also Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh will likely be a learning curve for the New York guard.

Still, there is a chance that Fland walks into the swamp on day one and comes out as the clear starter. He will have a slower learning curve than that of Lee, as he will be making an SEC-to-SEC move, not jumping from an Ivy League to the best conference in college basketball. Lee is a prospect I have liked for a while, but I’d predict Fland to be the higher-ranked prospect by the end of their season, even if Lee ends up being more of a centerpiece of the offense.

Yaxel Lendenborg

This one, I had no idea where it was going. My few connections to Michigan’s program seemed to have no idea either, and Lendenborg ended the season stronger than seemingly any prospect not named Walter Clayton Jr, putting up dominant performances in the American Conference Tournament, and the NIT, leading many (including myself) to rank the UAB product inside their top 30.

Still, Lendenborg’s evaluation was a weird one. An undersized, athletic big who likes to play on the perimeter isn’t a common archetype. Lendenborg could very well end up being one of the best players in college basketball this season at Michigan, but I would like to see him do that as more of a big wing and forward. He has clear skill with the ball in his hands and vision to make good kickouts and passes to cutters upon collapsing the defense. Not only this, but Michigan has two other potential prospects in Spaniard Aday Mara and Illinois transfer Morez Johnson, who profile more as big men than Lendenborg, even if they were less productive this season.

The ball is in Dusty May’s hands now, who worked miracles with the Wolverines’ two big lineup this past season, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Lendenborg ends up playing real minutes at the 3 this season.

Miles Byrd

Stockton, California, native Miles Byrd also returned to college at the deadline. This one didn’t surprise me either, as it was clear that Byrd’s stock was on a downtrend after the midway point of the season. This was one of “my guys” this cycle, as I believe Byrd’s defensive tape is some of the best I have seen from a wing in a while. The issue with Byrd is the offensive side of the ball and weight.

Byrd could struggle to defend in the NBA from day one despite a lack of elite tools and technique because he just isn’t very strong. Stronger drivers got into his chest, and while Byrd’s length allowed him to make some sick recovery plays, in the NBA, this often doesn’t fly. Byrd also struggled mightily towards the end of his season on offense, finishing at a worse rate and having his 3-pointer falter. If Byrd just puts on a bit of strength and becomes a better finisher, he is likely in draft talks next season.

RJ Luis

Ok, now what the hell? I will start by saying that RJ Luis is the kind of prospect that isn’t really for me. A scorer based in the mid-range who doesn’t offer off-the-ball shooting, passing, or elite defense just isn’t something I give out guaranteed contract grades to in the second round. Luis also lacks a great first step, and I overall don’t love his NBA projection.

That being said, some liked Luis as a prospect (if you are reading this, please enlighten me below, I don’t like disliking prospects), but even Sam Vecenie, arguably the best media scout in the space, said this seems like a YOLO move to him. I hope Luis finds an NBA role, because he seems like a good kid who had a rough end to the season in St. John’s loss in the NCAA Tournament, but it is unlikely I finish the cycle with him inside my top 60.