The NCAA’s NBA draft withdrawal deadline has come and gone, and with that comes some much-needed clarity on where rosters stand for the 2022–23 men’s college basketball season. Dozens of players entered June 1 without having made a final decision as to whether they’d return to school, and those announcements throughout the day will shape the way the upcoming season looks. Which college teams got good news yesterday, and which need to go back to the drawing board? broke down the biggest winners and losers from decision day.
WinnersGonzaga
You couldn’t have scripted a better draft season than Gonzaga’s. The biggest decision was without a doubt Drew Timme’s, as the consensus All-American announced his return for his senior season in Spokane after testing the draft waters. Timme has his limitations physically that makes his path to the NBA a narrow one, but he looked good shooting the ball from deep at the combine and has a chance to be in the National Player of the Year conversation in 2022–23. The Zags also got back Julian Strawther and Rasir Bolton for next season, neither of which was a given. Both are reliable outside shooters and proven starters.
Add in returners like Nolan Hickman, Hunter Sallis and Anton Watson and transfer big man Efton Reid, and this is a roster capable of being the No. 1 team in the country yet again. Plus, Mark Few and staff may not be done adding to this team, as the Zags are reportedly favorites for Chattanooga transfer Malachi Smith.
It had seemed unlikely throughout the draft process Kansas would get Christian Braun back for his senior season in Lawrence, but it’s still a win to come out of draft decisions with Jalen Wilson and Kevin McCullar in tow for 2022–23. Wilson should be among the best players in the country this season, stepping into a bigger role with Braun and Ochai Agbaji gone after consecutive seasons averaging around 11 points and seven rebounds per game. Meanwhile, McCullar is one of the best defenders in the country and a proven contributor in the Big 12 from his time at Texas Tech. Add four top-50 recruits from the ’22 class, and KU should be a contender again this season.
Houston
Marcus Sasser’s 11th-hour decision to return to the Cougars for 2022–23 cements Houston as one of the nation’s best teams. While it was rather impressive how well Houston held things together last season after losing Sasser to a season-ending foot injury in December, there’s no question the team’s ceiling is far higher with one of the best shot-creating guards in the country back for another year. In addition to being a rugged defender in Kelvin Sampson’s system, Sasser is one of the most gifted shooters in the sport, with deep range and the ability to knock shots down off the bounce. While the Cougars weren’t able to woo transfer target Kenneth Lofton Jr. out of the draft process, they still have a terrific roster and one of the best coaches in the sport. This group is a national title contender.
Stanford
Harrison Ingram’s decision came a few days before the deadline, but it’s hard to overstate the importance of the former five-star recruit choosing to spend another season in Palo Alto. Ingram struggled with efficiency during his freshman season, but he’s still one of the more well-rounded players in the conference and his versatility at 6'8" makes him a valuable asset on this Cardinal roster. Stanford coach Jerod Haase enters next season on the hot seat after failing to make the NCAA tournament in his first six seasons at the helm, but Ingram’s return gives Stanford at least a fighting chance of being in that conversation in 2022–23.
Miami
Looking to follow up a run to the Elite Eight, the Canes got back arguably their best player from the 2021–22 season in Isaiah Wong, who withdrew his name from the draft before the deadline Wednesday. Jim Larrañaga did a nice job this offseason restocking the roster with high-profile transfers, adding Kansas State guard Nijel Pack (a first-team All–Big 12 selection) and rebounding machine Norchad Omier from Arkansas State. The lone missing piece of the puzzle was Wong, who averaged 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game this past season. A nucleus featuring Pack, Wong, Jordan Miller and Omier has top-25 potential.