At the NBA Draft Combine, multiple high-profile college players officially shut the door on a return to school, including Henri Veesaar of North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball, Ebuka Okorie of Stanford Cardinal men’s basketball, and Isaiah Evans of Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball.
All three players confirmed they will remain in the 2026 NBA Draft, with ESPN reporting they are projected as potential late first-round selections in post-lottery mock drafts.
Veesaar, in particular, was clear about his mindset:
“I’m all-in on staying in the draft. It’s 100% my decision to stay. I think it’s the right decision, basketball-wise.”
Why the decisions matter
All three were widely projected as late first-round to early second-round prospects, meaning they are in that “draftable but not locked-in lottery” tier where the combine can significantly shift stock. For players in that range, the decision to stay is usually tied to two factors:
Strong feedback from NBA teams in interviews and measurements
Belief that returning to college wouldn’t meaningfully improve draft position
Henri Veesaar’s case
Veesaar was the most emphatic of the group. The 7-footer has been drawing attention for:
Rim protection and defensive mobility for his size
Developing pick-and-roll finishing
Stretch potential as a modern big
His quote—“I’m all-in on staying in the draft”—signals that he likely received enough positive NBA feedback to avoid another year of college development.
Ebuka Okorie’s situation
Okorie’s decision reflects a different profile: a guard whose value is tied to:
On-ball creation
Defensive pressure at the point of attack
Explosiveness and transition scoring
For guards like him, NBA teams often prioritize upside and athletic tools, even if the offensive polish is still developing.
Isaiah Evans’ outlook
Evans, a high-upside wing for Duke, fits the classic “tools-first” prospect mold:
Shooting gravity
Length and positional versatility
Defensive upside on switches
For him, staying in the draft suggests confidence that his shooting and measurables already translate enough to stay in first-round consideration.
Bigger picture
This group staying in the draft reflects a broader trend:
Combine performance and team feedback now outweigh “another year in college” for borderline first-round prospects
Players are increasingly willing to bet on perceived draft momentum rather than risk injury or role changes in school
For programs like North Carolina, Stanford, and Duke, it also means roster uncertainty remains high deep into the offseason, as early NBA declarations reshape depth charts late in the cycle.
