2023 NBA Draft: Ranking the toughest stay or go decisions

The college basketball offseason is bustling as we enter May, with hundreds of transfers still in the portal along with a slew of seniors or NBA draft declarers who have yet to make up their minds on whether to return for another season.

So, the good folks over at CBS Sports recently took a look at 10 players whose decisions could have massive implications on next year’s season.

Take a look:

1. Amari Bailey | UCLA

Bailey’s decision looms large for UCLA, who is looking at a complete rebuild following a successful run the last few years. The roster is in pretty dire shape and is in need of a transfer influx or a return to school for a guy like Bailey, who would be in line to star on the 2023-24 team should he opt to forgo the NBA Draft this season. The 6-5 wing averaged 11 points a game as a rookie in 2023 after coming out as the No. 12 overall player in the 2022 On3 Industry Rankings.

2. Zach Edey | Purdue

What more can be said, he’s the reigning National Player of the Year and obviously would be a transcendent boost for Purdue if he returns. You’d think Edey will strike while the iron is hot and cash in on his terrific 2023 season by going pro, but certain NIL promises or a lack of guaranteed NBA money could persuade the big fella to return for another year.

3. Jordan Walsh | Arkansas

It’s tough keeping track of the Hogs’ scholarship count these days. But assuming Walsh has a spot to return to, he’d be an excellent add and does provide some depth in a front-court that could use one more body. His decision likely comes down to whether he believes he’ll be a first round pick.

4. Oscar Tshiebwe | Kentucky

Not one, but two National Player of the Year winners are considering coming back to school. The beloved Tshiebwe was nearly as good statistically this season as he was in 2022 and would surely be a rebounding machine again if he does return. Given the talent Kentucky has coming in from high school like back in the early Calipari days, a supremely dominant big man to pair with them would make for a title contender for sure.

5. Trey Alexander | Creighton

Talk about another team who could vault into the national title discussion depending on these decisions, Creighton would immediately become a consensus top-10 team heading into next season if Alexander were to return. The Blue Jays are returning front-court stars Baylor Scheierman and Ryan Kalkbrenner, and already nabbed a top transfer point guard in Steven Ashworth from Utah State. Throw a scorer like Alexander back in the lineup and Greg McDermott is looking at yet another elite squad.

6. Coleman Hawkins | Illinois

Frankly, the Illini struggled as the year wore on in 2023 and massive roster turnover from the 2022 season was certainly a contributing factor. Heading into 2023-24, Illinois is flipping a lot of its lineup once again. A Coleman Hawkins return at least mitigates some of that concerns. He completes a full returning front-court for Brad Underwood, giving Illinois an identity to build around, at the very least, in having veterans Hawkins and Dain Dainja as your upperclassmen cornerstones. You can look around in the Big Ten, if Hawkins returns, and think our front-court can be as good as anyone’s.

7. DaRon Holmes | Dayton

Since the COVID-shortened Obi Toppin season, the Flyers have disappointed expectations a little bit. The team definitely could have been better in 2023 but came on strong down the stretch and returns enough of its rotation to inspire some confidence heading into the 2023-24 season. However, a Holmes decision to return could push the optimism into full blown mania. After all, he is a two-time All-A10 player and 18-point-per-game scorer. Plus, he’d be the fourth returning starter off a squad that finished second in A10 play.

8. Emoni Bates | Eastern Michigan

The Bates decision is interesting from an individual standpoint and perhaps if he tries to transfer again. EMU was absolutely atrocious last season and Bates averaged twice as many points per game (19) as the team had wins all year (8). It was a directionless one-man show that accomplished next to nothing from a team perspective — but Bates put up some pretty good numbers! A return there probably means another year of big stats and few wins.

9. Andre Jackson | UConn

Here’s one who ought to be higher. 6.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists are modest numbers, but the 6-foot-6 Jackson was a queen of the chess board for Dan Hurley last season, often running point guard while playing the four on defense. Jackson is that rare truly position-less player who can be the lead ball-handler in an offense or serve as a slasher and defensive ace. His return certainly would put the Huskies right back in the center of next year’s national title discussion.

10. Bobi Klintman | Wake Forest

Another guy who simply didn’t put up huge numbers in 2022-23. In fact, Klintman averaged less than six points per game for a Wake Forest team that didn’t even make the NCAA Tournament. So, why are NBA teams even considering such a low-production freshman from a mediocre ACC team? Well, because he did showcase one ability last season and that was making three-pointers as a 6-foot-10 rookie with above average athleticism. Sure, he’s not ready to play offense at a pro level quite yet, but the potential may be enough for a team to take a flyer on him in the second round. A return would only bolster what’s looking like Steve Forbes’ most complete roster since taking the Demon Deacon job.