The 2021 NBA draft withdrawal deadline came and went Wednesday, giving men’s college basketball teams more clarity on their rosters for the upcoming 2021–22 season. With a loaded draft class; extra eligibility due to the pandemic; and name, image and likeness now in play; several significant stars who were on the fence elected to return to their respective programs.
Not every team got good news; however, and there were a few surprise exits. Which programs’ title hopes were bolstered with this year’s decisions and which diminished? Our biggest winners and losers are below—note that teams weren’t penalized for players who were expected to leave.
UCLA is going to be dangerous next season. Johnny Juzang and Cody Riley both withdrew from the draft Wednesday, meaning Mick Cronin brings back nearly every single member of a roster that made it to the men’s Final Four in 2021 (only senior Chris Smith left). Juzang received an invite to the NBA combine and was a potential second-round pick, and UCLA will greatly benefit from getting the NCAA tournament star back.
