Alexander Brown
Let it be clear that I do not aim to advise anyone – players, agents, coaches – on what to do or not do. I am first and foremost a member of the media and analyst. Not a pocket observer. It’s not up to me to say or decide for anyone what’s best for you. They are free to do, say and choose whatever they want.
As an analyst, however, my work involves a lot of tea leaf reading and projections. Therefore, in the interest of detailing the year 2024 NBA Draft Combine last week in Chicago, my tea leaves were read. I’ve updated my Big Board and will have a new mock draft later this week – but first I bring you a timely update on all the prospects I think should go back to school or face a difficult stay-or-go decision.
Again: I am not a counselor. And each player has their own circumstances to consider when making these (often very difficult) decisions based on scholarship availability, NIL status, potential draft spot, guaranteed money and development plan. No decision is made in a vacuum.
But we are stepping into the void and making some decisions after their combined performances. I found five players who should return to school and four whose decisions are too difficult to make at the decision table at this hour.
Let’s go.
Players who must return to school
Sallis Hunter | SG | Awake Forest: Sallis curiously avoided participating in the scrimmages at the Combine after doing well in shooting drills. He’s in a draft range where he may or may not be in line to earn a guaranteed contract in the early to mid-second round. Returning to school, where he could likely cash in big time as a potential All-American could be tops, and another stellar year could further boost his stock to closer to the first round.
Bronny James | SG | USC: Two things are true about Bronny: he had a great combination and he would probably benefit from going back to school. He is reportedly set to remain in the draft So maybe that’s debatable – and I’d bet if he actually stays he’ll be drafted somewhere between 30th and 50th – but one more season in college could drastically increase his stock if he shows improvement over his freshman year and grow into the prospect many expected he would be at USC.
Nique Clifford | SF | State of Colorado: I’m buying a lot of Clifford for the long term, but he’s had a mixed week at the combine, with some good and some bad, which has kept his stock idle. The framing and filming project were organized for him at NBA level, so I would understand if he continued. Going back to school and building off a breakout season last year at Colorado State could do him good.
Jaxson Robinson | SG | PORU: Robinson had a career year at BYU last season, averaging a career-high 14.2 points per game while shooting 35.4% from 3-point range in Mark Pope’s offense. He has since been linked to Kentucky, with Pope now coaching the Wildcats. That could be a viable path for him after he showed off his smooth swing, but generally blended in with the crowd elsewhere during the week in Chicago. Legitimately difficult decision to return to school and challenge to be an all-conference player or hope to make it to the second round and secure some guaranteed deal.
Payton Sandfort | SG | Iowa – The combination was difficult for Sandfort after generating potential first-round buzz earlier in the week. He struggled to shoot the ball, a worrying tendency for a prospect labeled primarily as a shooter, and never felt comfortable playing against his teammates in scrimmages. This is just one piece of the puzzle to consider during the process, of course, and playing well or miserably won’t make or break any player’s specific stock, but returning to school appears to be their best option.
Players on the fence with difficult decisions
Justin Edwards | SF | Kentucky: Edwards was ranked No. 1 on the CBS Sports Big Board entering the season after a stellar summer at Kentucky, but he didn’t live up to high expectations. There are still many who believe in talent and consider it interesting as a development prospect, and he has had enough Wow, Justin Edwards! Cool! type moments throughout the week to make your decision difficult.
Alex Karaban | SF | UConn: Throwing my hands to Karaban. One of the few whose choice to stay or go leaves everyone perplexed. He could return to UConn and earn a scholarship while cementing himself as one of the best to ever play for the Huskies. But he could have done enough — both over the past two seasons and at the Combine — to reach the first round. He is ranked No. 31 on the Big Board and has played very well all week, showcasing his length and shooting.
JT Toppin | PF | New Mexico: One thing became very clear in Chicago last week: a very of lost schools in Toppin, somehow. He had an excellent freshman season at New Mexico and looked like a future first-rounder during scrimmages. A very, very good player who may not have the courage to be a top-30 pick now, but has the tools to be one in the future. Another year in college could catapult him to household name status.
Coleman Hawkins | PF | Illinois: I’ve seen dozens of Hawkins games over the years, but none were as impactful as the final day game. He was everywhere – active in defense, aggressive in attack. Still, it’s hard to ignore the years of evidence that suggests he may be something of an offensive ball-striker, who dribbles too much and may be more reliant on fitness than some. I don’t have a good sense of his actions, but the second ending or UDFA seems about right. This is in the range where going back to school and earning a giant NIL scholarship might be more appealing to him.
