The NCAA’s deadline for college basketball players to withdraw from the NBA Draft and retain their eligibility passed quietly this week for the Arizona Wildcats — but the silence was expected.
Although the NBA had yet to release its official list of players withdrawing from the draft by Thursday afternoon, a day after the deadline, the Wildcats are still widely anticipated to retain Jaden Bradley while losing Carter Bryant.
Neither Bradley nor Bryant made public announcements about their draft intentions, but both were on the NBA’s early entry list last month. Bradley was always expected to return to Arizona, whereas Bryant’s rising draft stock made staying in the draft the obvious financial decision.
Bryant, who confirmed during the NBA Combine that he was “completely in” the draft, hasn’t formally announced his next steps, but his performance in workouts and interviews — combined with his NBA-ready size and skill set — has boosted his standing as a projected lottery pick.
Players selected in the lottery can receive guaranteed contracts worth around $10 million over two years, while even top college athletes often earn only seven figures annually. Despite starting just five of 37 games and playing under 20 minutes per game in the 2024–25 season, Bryant’s efficiency and physical tools have made him a strong NBA prospect. Per KenPom, he was involved in only 15.9% of possessions while on the floor, but scouts are impressed with his “3-and-D” potential and versatility on both ends of the court.
Bryant is currently projected as the No. 12 pick by NBA.com, with The Ringer placing him at No. 10 and ESPN at No. 14.
Bradley, meanwhile, is expected to return for his fourth college season. As Arizona’s starting point guard, he averaged 12.1 points and 3.7 assists per game, maintaining a solid assist-to-turnover ratio.
As for former teammate Caleb Love, he finds himself in a different position. At 23, he’s a proven college scorer with years of experience across North Carolina and Arizona, but he’s not currently projected to be drafted. Still, he remains confident after working out with the Portland Trail Blazers and earlier with the Orlando Magic.
Love highlighted his growth, maturity, and scoring accomplishments — including a 36-point game that tied the scoring record at Oregon’s Matthew Knight Arena. He acknowledged that scouts want to see improvement on defense and emphasized his versatility.
“Defense is key for me to make it onto the court,” Love said. “But I believe I can adapt to any role. The teams know I have the potential to be a strong guard in the league.”
Love also participated in the G League Elite Camp and has received positive feedback about his toughness and overall potential.
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