Fifty early entry players have withdrawn from the 2025 NBA Draft process, the NBA announced on Friday.
A June 15 deadline still looms for any players who might join them, but that is reserved mostly for international prospects.
Among the players already heading back to college was Arizona Wildcats point guard Jaden Bradley, an expected move after he put his name in the cycle the past two offseasons.
Former Arizona State guard Joson Sanon, who has committed to join St. John’s, is also heading back to college.
For the Phoenix Suns, who currently sit at pick Nos. 29 and 52, there were some notable players who opted back into winning situations at major universities.
ESPN’s revamped big board on Friday lost 18 of the top 100 prospects previously considered for the 2025 draft. And many of those players sitting out were likely hovering in the draft range of Phoenix’s first-round pick, which is originally from Cleveland via a trade with Utah.
Potential Phoenix Suns fits withdraw from 2025 NBA Draft
Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn PG: Pettiford was mocked to Phoenix at No. 29 by The Ringer’s J. Kyle Mann and made our Kellan Olson’s list of potential fits.
Labaron Philon, Alabama PG: Another raw point guard option from an SEC contender, the shifty point guard likely didn’t have the production (10.6 points, 3.8 assists) nor the shooting (32% from 3) to get great feedback.
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan PF: The big man’s motor and ability to playmake off the bounce meshed with a scoring package inside and out. A path from Arizona Western College to UAB to now Michigan highlights his rise. At UAB last year, he averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
Lendeborg had appeared as a Suns possibility on multiple mock drafts immediately after the lottery.
Milos Uzan, Houston G: Uzan flashed major potential as a scorer in games late in Houston’s season last year, including 20-point performances against ranked Texas Tech, Purdue in the Sweet 16 and in the Big 12 title game against Arizona. He averaged 11.4 points and 4.3 assists per game in his junior year.
Miles Byrd, San Diego State G/F: The stringy 6-foot-7 wing broke out last year, averaging 12.3 points, 4.4 boards and 2.7 assists with over two steals and a block per game. His shooting splits (38% overall and 30% from 3) leave much room for improvement, however. He was more likely a second-round option.
Darrion Williams, NC State F: Another likely second-round option, Williams was productive (15.1 points on 44% shooting) and came from a Texas Tech program built around its grit and defense. He’ll now star at NC State.
2025 NBA Draft early entry withdrawals
Chad Baker-Mazara Auburn
Quincy Ballard Wichita State
Nate Bittle Oregon
John Blackwell Wisconsin
Jaden Bradley Arizona
Miles Byrd San Diego State
Rueben Chinyelu Florida
Alex Condon Florida
Tayton Conerway Troy
Melvin Council Jr. St. Bonaventure
Thierry Darlan Delaware (NBA G League)
Tae Davis Notre Dame
Silas Demary Jr. Georgia
Jerry Deng Florida State
Treysen Eaglestaff North Dakota
Isaiah Evans Duke
Elijah Fisher Pacific
Boogie Fland Arkansas
PJ Haggerty Memphis
Dominick Harris UCLA
Chris Howell UC San Diego
Josh Hubbard Mississippi State
Karter Knox Arkansas
Kobe Knox South Florida
Toibu Lawal Virginia Tech
Yaxel Lendeborg UAB
Brenen Lorient North Texas
Jaland Lowe Pittsburgh
Ven-Allen Lubin North Carolina
Nick Martinelli Northwestern
Paul Mbiya ASVEL (France)
Camron McDowell Northwestern Oklahoma State
Devin McGlockton Vanderbilt
Mackenzie Mgbako Indiana
Kebba Njie Notre Dame
AK Okereke Cornell
Otega Oweh Kentucky
Tahaad Pettiford Auburn
Labaron Philon Alabama
Jaron Pierre Jr. Jacksonville State
Devon Pryor Texas
Joson Sanon Arizona State
Raysean Seamster UT-Arlington
Malik Thomas San Francisco
Bruce Thornton Jr. Ohio State
Milos Uzan Houston
Brandon Walker Montana State
Lamar Wilkerson Sam Houston State
Darrion Williams Texas Tech
Money Williams Montana