NBA Draft Decisions Loom: Which 2025 College Basketball Portal Stars Will Stay or Go?

By Justin Rubin June 10, 2025 09:10

As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches on June 25-26 in Brooklyn, the college basketball world is abuzz with anticipation over which transfer portal stars will declare for the draft and which will return to school. The NCAA Transfer Portal has become a critical pipeline for NBA talent, with many players using it as a springboard to showcase their skills before deciding whether to turn pro or refine their game further in college.

Among the top prospects testing NBA waters is Maryland’s Derik Queen, a 6-foot-10 center who announced his draft entry after a standout freshman season averaging 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game over 36 contests. Queen’s combination of size and mobility has NBA scouts intrigued, but he remains eligible to withdraw by June 15 if he chooses to return for another collegiate season.

Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears is another notable name. After one season in Norman, Fears averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, shooting 43.4% from the field and an impressive 85.1% from the free-throw line. His well-rounded game and defensive tenacity have him projected as a mid-first-round pick, yet he faces the classic dilemma of whether to capitalize on his current stock or develop further in college.

The transfer portal has also produced intriguing prospects like Yaxel Lendeborg from UAB, who was ranked the top player in the portal by 247Sports this offseason. Lendeborg, a 6-foot-9 power forward/center, brings a versatile skill set and physicality that NBA teams covet. His senior status means he must weigh the benefits of entering the draft now against the potential boost another year might provide.

A notable trend this year is the number of players withdrawing from the draft to return to NCAA play. According to USA Today, at least 13 players have already decided to pull out and continue their college careers, including Labaron Philon. This cautious approach reflects the increasingly strategic decisions athletes make, balancing draft projections, team fit, and personal development.

The early entry deadline on April 26 has passed, but players have until June 15 to finalize their decisions. This window has created a flurry of activity, with some prospects testing the waters to gather feedback from NBA teams and advisors. As one scout explained, “The transfer portal has changed the game. Players now have more control and options than ever before, making draft decisions more complex but also more informed.”

Mock drafts reflect the uncertainty and depth of the 2025 class. Duke’s Cooper Flagg, Rutgers’ Dylan Harper, and Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe headline the early lottery picks, but several transfer portal players like Queen and Lendeborg are projected to be first-round selections as well. This underscores the portal’s significance as a talent reservoir.

Ultimately, the decision to stay or go hinges on multiple factors: draft position projections, readiness for the NBA’s physical and mental demands, and personal goals. For many, the choice is not just about immediate professional aspirations but long-term career trajectory.

As the June 15 withdrawal deadline nears, college basketball fans and NBA executives alike will be watching closely. The 2025 draft promises to be a fascinating showcase of emerging talent, shaped by the evolving dynamics of the transfer portal and the strategic decisions of its stars. Whether they stay or go, these athletes are redefining the path to the NBA in a new era of player empowerment.