Stay or go? NBA draft decisions with biggest college basketball impact as deadline looms

The entire trajectory of the 2026-27 men's college basketball season could change in the next few days.

Teams have mostly assembled their rosters for the upcoming season, but some decisions still linger with the players deciding whether to return or turn pro. Those contemplating their next move were able to get some intel on their NBA draft stock at the combine, and now have to make their choice by 11:59 p.m. ET on May 27 to retain their remaining eligibility.

With the early draft entry deadline imminent, these are the biggest names who still need to make a decision in terms of the college basketball impact, as their choice will greatly affect how the 2026-27 season unfolds.

Koa Peat (Arizona)

A decision not many expected but suddenly is in play. Peat was instrumental in Arizona reaching its first Final Four since 2001, bullying defenses into 14.1 points per game and turning it up in big matchups. However, Peat doesn't have much of an outside game, and it was very apparent at the combine, resulting in his draft stock falling. While he's still likely a first-round pick, Peat can return to the Wildcats to expand his offensive arsenal.

If he does, Arizona is primed again to be one of the best teams in the country with Peat leading a relentless frontcourt, and a possible player of the year contender. The entire trajectory of the loaded Big 12 changes if Peat decides to return.

Milan Momcilovic (Iowa State; in portal)

Teams are ready to splash out big bucks for Momcilovic to return to the college ranks. He was one of the best shooter in the country, making 136 3-pointers a whopping 48.8% field goal percentage. With him not having a college home, the demand to get him on a roster likely gets him a bigger pay day than the NBA, making returning to college an easy choice.

Andrej Stojakovic (Illinois)

The son of former NBA All-Star sharpshooter Peja, Stojakovic made a name for himself in the NCAA tournament as a off-the-bench catalyst for the Fighting Illini in their first Final Four run since 2005. He isn't as prolific of a shooter like his dad, but Stojakovic can spot up from mid-range and play through contact.

With Keaton Wagler gone, Stojakovic is set up to be the top returning scorer. Illinois is already stocked up for another March run, and Stojakovic is the one critical piece to confirm it.

Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor; in portal)

A five-star recruit in the 2025 class could be coming back for another season. Yessoufou lived up to the billing by setting several Baylor freshman records, averaging 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. However, concerns with his ball-handling have dropped him from a projected lottery pick to a late first-rounder.

This may be the biggest toss up of the class as Yessoufou has the scoring ability to make the NBA, but also could polish his game on all sides of the ball. There are plenty of suitors waiting for him as one of the top available players still in the portal.

Allen Graves (Santa Clara; in portal)

This may be one of the biggest sleepers. Graves was the West Coast Conference freshman and sixth man of the year for a Santa Clara team that made March Madness for the first time since 1996. He averaged 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, along with a 41.3% mark from 3-point range. Graves has the skills to have a long professional career, but he was one of the least athletic players at the combine and that could scare some teams away.

It's another tough decision to predict, given Graves can be a late first-rounder. He's currently the second-best transfer available after Momcilovic, and he will absolutely find himself playing for a power conference team should he return.

Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt)

Unless you were playing Vanderbilt, you couldn't help but have fun watching Tanner play. He put up 19.5 points, 5.1 assists and 2.4 steals per game, and he doesn't play like he's only 6-foot-tall with impressive athleticism. However, that's a concern in the professional ranks, and he had some shaky performances in the combine that may have hurt his stock.

Vanderbilt was a surprise last season largely because of Tanner, and any chance to keep the momentum going would fall apart if Tanner decides to enter the draft. Mark Byington said it best: "We’re not going to be able to replace him if he doesn't come back."

Meleek Thomas (Arkansas)

Darius Acuff Jr. wasn't the only playmaker for Arkansas; Thomas had his own bright spots, possessing the skills to play at the next level. He thrived in John Calipari's offensive-minded team with 15.6 points per game and a 41.6% 3-point percentage. The one thing that goes against him is this is a loaded class from the guard position, so he finds himself behind several others projected to be lottery picks.

A star role for the Razorbacks is awaiting Thomas should he return. He could end up being one of the top scorers in the country, and would help Arkansas retain the crown in the SEC.

Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State)

Fears continued to elevate his game in his junior season, becoming the most prolific distributor in the country with 9.4 assists per game, all while leading Michigan State in scoring with 15.2 points per game. While he certainly had a productive combine, he still isn't much of scoring threat, and would likely be fit into a pass-first guard. He would thrive in it, but it would keep him from being a productive player.

All signs point to Fears returning to college, and it will keep Michigan State among the Big Ten powerhouses will the departures the Spartans had. Tom Izzo does his best with continuity, and one can only imagine how dangerous Fears can be with another season.