These 7 men's basketball programs won big from the NBA draft ...

14 days ago

NCAA.com

These 7 mens basketball programs won big from the NBA draft

Andy Katz returns to break down the top seven programs that won big from the 2024 NBA draft withdrawal deadline.

With the 2024 NBA draft approaching, there are some key college basketball players that withdrew from the early entry deadline. These decisions have heavily impacted many collegiate programs going into the 2024-25 season. Here's a look at seven programs that won big, according to Andy Katz. Records are from this past season:

???? UCONN WINS AGAIN: How the Huskies won another national title

Arizona (27-9): Caleb Love is returning to play for Tommy Lloyd. The Pac-12's best player this past season could be the Big 12's best player this upcoming season.

Kentucky (23-10): Mark Pope desperately needed players to come back from the draft to play for him. He'll have players coming into the program like Andrew Carr (Wake Forest), Lamont Butler (San Diego State), Koby Brea (Dayton), Amari Williams (Drexel) and Jaxson Robinson (BYU) — a core group of players that's going to be playing in Lexington.

Arkansas (16-17): The Razorbacks are not only getting Hall of Famer John Calipari as coach, but he's also getting heavy hitters who withdrew from the NBA draft such as Trevon Brazile, Jonas Aidoo (Tennessee) and Johnell Davis (Florida Atlantic).

Baylor (24-11): Former Duke point guard Jeremy Roach and former Miami forward Norchad Omier withdrew from the draft to play under coach Scott Drew.

Kansas (23-11): Wisconsin's leading scorer last season AJ Storr is now a Jayhawk and withdrew from the 2024 NBA draft to play for coach Bill Self.

UConn (37-3) Forward Alex Karaban returns after withdrawing from the draft as the Huskies try to win a third consecutive national championship.

Alabama (25-12): Mark Sears and Jarin Stevenson return to play for the Crimson Tide after withdrawing from the 2024 NBA draft as Alabama hopes for another Final Four run.

Andy Katz is an NCAA.com correspondent. Katz worked at ESPN for 18 years as a college basketball reporter, host and anchor. He's covered every Final Four since 1992, and the sport since 1986 as a freshman at Wisconsin. He is a former president of the United States Basketball Writers Association. Katz can also be seen covering college basketball on Big Ten Network during the regular season. Follow him on Twitter at @theandykatz.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions.

Basketball icon, Hall of Fame legend Jerry West passes away at 86

West Virginia and NBA legend Jerry West has died. He led the Mountaineers to the NCAA title game as a player and later won titles as a player and executive in the NBA.