Connecticut's reign as NCAA champion will begin with multiple starters having left for the NBA draft and one returning after flirting with doing the same.
As for Kentucky, star big man Oscar Tshiebwe is sticking with his pro pursuit.
UConn guard Tristen Newton announced that he is withdrawing his name from the draft Wednesday, the NCAA's deadline for players who declared as early entrants to the draft to withdraw and retain their college eligibility. But Tshiebwe announced late in the afternoon that he would remain in the draft after a college career that included being named The Associated Press men's national player of the year in 2022.
The list of players facing decisions include another big who was voted AP player of the year in Purdue's Zach Edey. The 7-foot-4 Edey was last season's winner after guiding the Boilermakers to a No. 1 seed in the NCAAs.
A number of other college players have similar decisions, including Syracuse's Judah Mintz, Arkansas' Jordan Walsh and Illinois' Terrence Shannon Jr.
For the current champions, Newton (10.1 points, 4.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds) was one of four Huskies to enter the draft after their run to UConn's fifth national championship in early April. He scored a game-high 19 points to go with 10 rebounds in the victory over San Diego State in the title game.
The others were Final Four Most Outstanding Player Adama Sanogo, wing Jordan Hawkins and versatile guard Andre Jackson Jr. Sanogo (17.8 points) and Hawkins (16.3) have made it clear they have closed the door on their college careers. Jackson (6.1 points, 4.6 assists, 5.8 rebounds) has yet to publicly reveal a decision.
The Huskies have 247sports' No. 3-ranked recruiting class for next year to restock the roster, led by McDonald's All-American point guard Stephon Castle.
The NBA’s withdrawal deadline is June 12, but is moot when it comes to college players returning to school due to the NCAA’s earlier timeline to retain playing eligibility.
STAYING IN SCHOOL
ADEM BONA: The 6-foot-10 forward and Pac-12 freshman of the year is returning to UCLA after starting 32 games as a rookie and averaging 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks — with coach Mick Cronin praising his toughness for “competing through multiple injuries for as long as he could” in a statement Wednesday.
JOSIAH-JORDAN JAMES: The 6-6 guard went through the NBA G League Combine and had workouts with multiple teams before opting to return to Tennessee for a fifth season alongside teammate Santiago Vescovi.
OWLS' RETURNEES: Florida Atlantic got good news after its surprise Final Four run with the return leading scorers Johnell Davis (13.8) and Alijah Martin (13.4). ESPN first reported their decisions, while Martin later posted a social-media statement.
SPARTANS' RETURNEES: Michigan State announced that guards Jaden Akins and A.J. Hoggard have withdrawn from the NBA draft. Standout guard Tyson Walker had previously withdrawn in April, setting up Tom Izzo to have five of his top scorers back.
GOING PRO
KOBE BROWN: Missouri's 6-8 swingman opted against returning for a fifth college season after being an AP first-team all-Southeastern Conference pick averaging 15.8 points last season.
BRICE SENSABAUGH: The Ohio State freshman averaged 16.3 points and 5.4 rebounds in 31 games before missing his final two in the Big Ten Tournament due to a knee injury. He's a potential first-round prospect.
TSHIEBWE: The 6-9, 260-pound forward is a tough interior presence who led the country in rebounds for two straight seasons (15.1 in 2022, 13.7 in 2023) while racking up 48 double-doubles. But he faces an uncertain next stop and is projected at best as a second-round prospect.
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AP Sports Writers Gary B. Graves, Pat Eaton-Robb, Beth Harris, Larry Lage, Teresa M. Walker and Tom Withers contributed to this report.
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Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap
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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
