Villanova’s Dixon Among Several Players Withdrawing From Draft
The deadline is looming for early entrants to withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft and retain their NCAA eligibility. Those players have until the end of the day on Wednesday to formally remove their names from this year’s draft pool if they hope to resume their college careers.
A number of prospects are taking that route, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, who tweets that two-time All-Big East Villanova forward Eric Dixon is among those who are withdrawing from the draft to return to school. Dixon averaged 16.6 points and 6.5 rebounds with a .465/.346/.862 shooting line in 30.6 minutes per game across 34 appearances for the Wildcats in 2023/24 and will rejoin the club for his super-senior season in ’24/25.
Former Tulane guard Sion James, who is transferring to Duke (Twitter link), and former Drexel big man Amari Williams, who is transferring to Kentucky (Twitter link), are among the other seniors will who will take advantage of their year of extra eligibility due to COVID and play college ball for another season, per Rothstein. Cincinnati center Aziz Bandaogo, who will remain with the Bearcats after being named the WAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023/24, is also withdrawing from the draft (Twitter link).
Here are several more of the latest draft withdrawals, via Rothstein:
- Guard DJ Davis is transferring from Butler to Washington for his super-senior season (Twitter link).
- Forward Frankie Fidler is transferring from Omaha to Michigan State for his senior season (Twitter link).
- Guard A.J. Hoggard is transferring from Michigan State to Vanderbilt for his super-senior season (Twitter link).
- Forward Igor Milicic Jr. is transferring from Charlotte to Tennessee for his senior season (Twitter link).
- Forward Great Osobor is transferring from Utah State to Washington for his senior season (Twitter link).
- Forward JT Toppin is transferring from New Mexico to Texas Tech for his sophomore season (Twitter link).
- Forward Terrance Williams II is transferring from Michigan to USC for his super-senior season (Twitter link).
Kyshawn George, Justin Edwards Among Players Entering Draft
Miami Hurricanes wing Kyshawn George intends to enter his name in the 2024 NBA draft pool, he said in a French interview with BeIN Sports (YouTube link; hat tip to Inside The U).
A 6’8″ swingman, George started 16 of the 31 games he played for Miami in his freshman season. While his averages of 7.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 23.0 minutes per contest were relatively modest, the youngster can handle the ball and has displayed a promising outside shot, having knocked down 40.8% of 4.2 three-pointers per game. He currently ranks 25th on ESPN’s big board of 2024 prospects, making him a potential first-rounder.
It’s unclear at this point whether George plans to forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility or if he’ll test the waters for now, leaving the door open for a potential return to school.
Kentucky wing Justin Edwards – another freshman who has a chance to be a first-round pick – also indicated he plans to declare for the 2024 draft, making his announcement on Instagram. Edwards’ statement didn’t mention anything about maintaining his college eligibility, so it sounds like he intends to go pro.
ESPN’s No. 30 overall prospect, Edwards averaged 8.8 PPG and 3.4 RPG on .486/.365/.776 shooting in 32 games (21.4 MPG) for the Wildcats in 2023/24. He’s one of several Kentucky players who have a chance to be drafted in 2024 — that group includes probable lottery picks Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard.
The following prospects are also said to be declaring for the 2024 NBA draft as early entrants while hanging onto their NCAA eligibility (players marked with an asterisk are also entering the transfer portal):
- Aziz Bandaogo, C, Cincinnati (senior) (Twitter link)
- Note: Bandaogo says he’s testing the draft, but plans to finish his college career at Cincinnati.
- Lamont Butler, G, San Diego State (senior) (Twitter link via Jon Chepkevich of DraftExpress)
- Wesley Cardet Jr., G/F, Chicago State (junior) (Twitter link via Chepkevich)
- Johnell Davis, G, Florida Atlantic (senior) (Instagram link) *
- Norchad Omier, F, Miami (FL) (senior) (Twitter link via Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports)
- Great Osobor, F, Utah State (junior) (Twitter link via Joe Tipton of On3 Sports) *
- Max Shulga, G, VCU (senior) (Twitter link via Rothstein)
- Trey Townsend, F, Oakland (senior) (Twitter link via Jonathan Givony of ESPN) *
- Jaylen Wells, F, Washington State (junior) (Instagram link)
- Terrance Williams II, F, Michigan (senior) (Instagram link)
- JZ Zaher, G, Bowling Green State (sophomore) (Instagram link)
