Five 2026 second-rounders weighing return to college

A new eligibility ruling giving players from the 2022 high school class a fifth NCAA season has opened the door for five unsigned 2026 second-round picks to go back to college.

Dillon Mitchell (No. 40, Boston) and Tyler Nickel (No. 47, New York) are said to be considering it, while the plans of Richie Saunders (No. 32, Memphis, rehabbing a torn ACL) and Lajae Jones (No. 54, Golden State) are unclear.

Braden Smith (No. 38, Indiana) has ruled out a return to Purdue and hopes for a standard deal, though the Pacers have only about $2.2 million of room under their first-apron hard cap.

The NCAA has said signing any NBA contract, two-way included, ends college eligibility, while teams keep draft rights on players who return.