Dribble Handoff: Coleman Hawkins, Mark Sears, Hunter Sallis among the best 2024 NBA Draft withdrawal decisions

The deadline for players to make their stay or departure NBA Draft The decisions were approved Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET, bringing clarity to both the draft pool and a handful of 2024-25 college basketball rosters. While several of the draft opt-outs have yet to decide on their transfer destinations for next season, we are one step closer to having a complete picture of who will play where in college basketball this November.

Many of the decisions were difficult as players navigated the multi-tiered pre-draft process while trying to gather as much information as possible to make an informed decision. For some, a preliminary second-round score or the assurance of a two-way deal NBA the contract could be enough to tip the scales in favor of turning pro.

For others, the allure of a big NIL payday and the promise of a prominent role at a major college basketball program outweighs anything outside of a guaranteed lottery selection. Each player assesses their situation on their own terms and most reach a decision in consultation with a group of confidants.

As the dust settles on this year’s deadline, we’re looking at who made the best stay-or-go decisions for this week’s Dribble Handoff.

Every decision any player makes about whether to return to college or pursue professional opportunities is a personal decision, often fraught with multiple factors, which is why I stopped pretending I know what’s best for others a while ago. That said, from my perspective, it appears that Hawkins was wise to withdraw from the 2024 NBA Draft and make itself available on the open market. He’s about to learn what it’s like to be on the right side of a supply and demand situation.

At the moment, supply is low. Right now, demand is high.

Do you realize how many programs were withholding NIL packages for players they were trying to lure back to campus only to have them remain in the 2024 NBA Draft at the deadline? Answer: Many. Now, those programs have that money to spend elsewhere — and Hawkins is one of the best options on the market after averaging 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per game last season for a team. Illinois which advanced to the Elite Eight. In short, he’s about to get paid — probably significantly more than he would have earned if he had chosen to forgo his fifth year of college eligibility. -Gary Parrish

Sallis is an outstanding college talent who transferred from Gonzaga last year and promptly raised his averages from 4.5 points to 18.0; from 2.2 rebounds to 4.1; from 1.4 assists to 2.5; from 25.6% 3-point shooting to 40.5. He became a fringe NBA Draft prospect, but ultimately decided to bank his NIL money with a program that was expected to be a top-five prospect in the ACC next season. I love this decision.

The Demon Deacons have not reached the first round of the NCAA Tournament since 2010. Sallis’ decision to return to Winston-Salem will end that streak, after a 15-year drought, in 2025. He is very good, and just as importantly, he will have the talent around him to finally get this program into the field of 64. Steve Forbes has been a portal whisperer essentially every season, and I hope that materializes again with the former Iowa State wing/five-star Omaha prospect Biliew now in black and gold. Efton Reid will also be back. Yes, it’s time. Wake Forest will move forward – and I wouldn’t have thought that if Sallis left. -Matt Norlander

After a great senior season at BYU under coach Mark Pope, operating as one of the best shooters in the game, Robinson made the right decision by entering the draft and getting feedback – and again made the right decision by withdrawing from the draft on senior day and committing to Kentucky. His stock wasn’t as good as it could be this time next year, after a perfect showing at the NBA Draft Combine, and another year with Pope playing under the spotlight in Lexington, Kentucky, as the Wildcats were expected to do nothing but help your case next year. If the basketball world doesn’t already know Robinson, they soon will know his name as one of the most underrated shooters in the college game next season. -Kyle Boone

Jamir Watkins, Florida State/Transfer Portal

Watkins is positioned to cash in through the transfer portal after withdrawing from the draft. While it may have been tempting for a 6-foot-5 forward to stay and push for a two-way contract, he has a real chance to improve his stock as a senior and earn a big payday in the process. Watkins had a great junior season at Florida State in 2023-24, averaging 15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game while shooting a career-high 34.4%, in addition of the arc. It is one of the last available top 80 transfers in college basketball and with a rare combination of size and versatility, his choice to return to college should pay dividends both in the 2024-25 season and beyond. -David Cobb

If Sears had remained in the NBA Draft, there is a strong chance he would have been selected, but the climb for a player of his caliber to go from a two-way contract to earning a fully guaranteed NBA contract is an uphill climb. Returning to Alabama was the right decision because his team will be under strong consideration to be the preseason No. 1 this fall. Sears will be a leading candidate for Naismith’s Player of the Year award, and his Alabama team should be one of the favorites to cut down the nets next spring – which wouldn’t have been (as) achievable if Sears kept his name in the draft. –Cameron Salerno