The deadline to declare for the 2016 NBA Draft was yesterday. Many players were forced to make the tough decision between returning to school , and testing their luck in the draft. We all know that Nigel Hayes decided to withdraw from the draft and return to school. Now it’s time to look at other notable draft decisions.
Who’s Staying
Melo Trimble, Maryland
The Maryland point guard will be a junior next year and decided to stay in school at least one more year. After averaging 16.2 points per game on 44 percent shooting as a freshman, Trimble struggled a bit more last year, as his shooting numbers dipped to 41 percent and only 31 percent from three. His assist numbers did improve from his freshman year, so Trimble is likely returning for one more year to improve his shooting before entering the draft.
Thomas Bryant, Indiana
The Indiana big man was projected as a first-rounder this year, but has decided to return to school for more development. Bryant showed flashes of impressive athleticism and touch around the basket, but sometimes looked lost and even overmatched on the court, including against Wisconsin this year. Additionally, Bryant is 6’10’’ but only average 5.8 rebounds per game and less than a block a game. If Bryant can improve his toughness around the basket, he can expect to be a lottery pick in 2017.
Caleb Swanigan, Purdue
Swanigan was another impressive freshman in the Big Ten last year. The Purdue forward had eight double-doubles last year and two games where he scored over 25 points, one of which came against Wisconsin. Swanigan is a capable big man with the ability to rebound well, and returning for his sophomore year will allow him to develop an outside shot. Purdue’s front line of Swanigan and Isaac Haas will be more than formidable next season.
Ivan Rabb, California
Rabb’s decision to stay at Cal was one of the more surprising. Rabb was a projected lottery pick along with teammate Jaylen Brown. Rabb is a big man with good length and a good shooting touch around the rim. His 12 double-doubles show his ability to rebound, and his 7’2’’ wingspan projects well at the next level. Rabb is likely staying in school to bulk up and work on his offensive game , and should find himself picked in the early first round next year if he decides to declare.
Grayson Allen, Duke
Everybody’s favorite Duke player is back. After a successful sophomore year in which he improved his scoring average by 17 points, Allen will be returning to Duke for his junior year. Allen will be joined by the number one and number three recruits in the country, Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum. With Allen coming back and with the new recruiting class Duke will be and ACC and NCAA championship contender. That is if they do not falter or trip up or stumble on their way.
Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins, Villanova
These two productive players on the Villanova championship team had high draft stocks after the NCAA tournament. But with their team losing senior leadership, Hart and Jenkins decided to stay in school in hopes of leading Villanova to further success.
Who’s Going
Malachi Richardson, Syracuse
The Syracuse shooting guard raised his draft stock immensely with a breakout NCAA tournament. He had a 23 point game against Virginia, who was one of the best defensive teams in the country, and he scored 17 against North Carolina in their final four game. With his tournament performances, Richardson was able to showcase his athleticism and potential. He is a projected first rounder despite only shooting 39 percent from the field. His 35 percent clip from three-point range is impressive, however, and his recent performances gave rise to his draft stock and ultimately influenced his decision to declare for the draft.
Skal Labissiere, Kentucky
Labissiere was the second-rated high school recruit in 2015, only behind projected top two pick Ben Simmons. While Simmons flashed brilliance for an otherwise unsuccessful LSU team, Labissiere struggled to get on the court for Kentucky. He only averaged 16 minutes per game and less than seven points per game. He was able to show his prowess for blocking shots and an ability to hit a longer two-point jump shot. He clearly has talent, and his length and shot blocking will still land him in the first round. Still, another year at Kentucky could have given Labissiere the chance to develop further and reach the potential of the number two recruit.
Ben Bentil, Providence
Even though Kris Dunn was the star on last year’s Providence team, it was Bentil who was the most consistent performer throughout the season. He scored more than 15 points in all but five games , and he scored over 25 points in 10 games. He showed a dramatic spike in all his numbers after his 2014-2015 freshman campaign and is a great example of a layer who benefitted from more time in school. Bentil could still stay in school and be the star without Dunn, but he decided that he would rather try his luck in the draft where he is projected in the second round.
Deyonta Davis, MSU
Davis was the number one rated high school player out of Michigan in 2015, but only played about 18 minutes per game as a freshman at Michigan State. Still, the big man was able to shoot close to 60 percent from the field and block almost two shots a game. Davis still had more to develop and would have had the opportunity to be the face of the Michigan State program , but the prospects of being a lottery pick were too much to pass up.
All of UNLV
Four UNLV players decided to declare for the NBA draft after unstable coaching situations pushed them out of the program. Only big-man Stephen Zimmerman is likely to get drafted, but the rest of the roster is decimated due to a coach being fired, an interim coach not being hired, and the new coach deciding to take a job elsewhere.