Why Duke Basketball Is Underrated NBA Draft Deadline Winner

The NBA Draft deadline has come and gone, and some programs are relieved while others were hit with some difficult last-second departures.

In today’s NIL era of college basketball, it has completely changed how prospects handle the pre-draft process. Up until a couple of years ago, being a sure-fire first-round pick made it nearly impossible to turn the NBA Draft down for a return to college. The argument for going back to college to improve draft stock carried significantly more risk than it does now.

Mar 26, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer shoots a ball during a practice session ahead of the east regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

As the payouts for these highly-touted players and transfer portal talents get higher and higher each year, it really makes no financial sense for a mid-to-late first-rounder to head to the NBA who has $2-$4 million deals waiting for them back in college.

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Duke had an example like that of its own this offseason. Isaiah Evans, a projected late-first-round selection, elected to keep his name in the draft despite the overwhelming likelihood he would’ve earned more money at the college level next season than he will in his first-year NBA salary, at least based on his current draft projection.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA;Duke Blue Devils guard Isaiah Evans (3) dribbles the ball past St. John’s Red Storm guard Oziyah Sellers (4) in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Patrick Ngongba was in a similar boat, and he elected to come back to Durham despite a mid-first-round projection.

This is the new reality of college sports, and as paychecks increase, the depth of talent in the NBA Draft will likely decline. Regardless, Duke certainly wasn’t hurt much at all…

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Publish date : 2026-05-31 11:00:00

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