A Scout's Take: Favorite Withdrawal Deadline Returners (Part One)
With the withdrawal deadline passing, we have our final list of draft eligible players set. As the deadline loomed, there were several prospects that still had a life altering decision to make for themselves and their families. Will they return to school or officially pursue their NBA dreams? Let's check out a few of my favorite returnees and what we can expect to see from them next season.
Judah Mintz I Syracuse I Guard I Sophomore
Mintz is the amongst the most likely deadline returnees that will improve their draft stock and establish themselves as first rounders in the 2024. I currently have him in the late first to early second round range and he’s generally considered to be a second-round pick. When you’re a first round talent like Mintz and can return to a great situation to boost your stock, the decision is clear more times than not.
His freshman campaign showcased his skilled shotmaking (16.3 points), mid range game, and crafty finishing plus floor raising growth as a playmaker (4.6 assists) and disruptive defender (1.8 steals per game) despite playing in Syracuse’s 2-3 zone.
NBA teams will hope to see an increase in both 3-point percentage (30%) and volume (2.1 attempts per game, 66 total) while furthering his lead guard skills and traits, important aspects for a 6-foot-3, 176 pound guard. He’ll be a ACC Player of the Year favorite and should be a top 20-25 (maybe higher) prospect on most preseason boards.
DaRon Holmes II I Dayton I Big I Junior
The long and wiry 6-foot-10 center took a significant step forward this past season, building off the promise and production displayed during his freshman season as the A-10 Rookie of the Year. Holmes II upped his averages in scoring (12.8 to 18.4), shot attempts (8.1 to 11.5), rebounding (6.1 to 8.1) and assists (1.3 to 1.7) while disrupting opposing offenses with 2.6 stocks per game to earn All Atlantic Ten First Team and All Atlantic Ten Defensive Team selections.
A sustainable NBA role and path is clear. He’s a switchable, shot blocking (career 2.1 blocks per game) energy big that thrives as a rim runner, roll man and vertical spacer due to his tremendous vertical pop, movement skills and length.
Holmes II’s return will give him the opportunity to advance his game as a face-up scorer, add on to his connective/flow passing flashes and build upon the strides as a 3-point shooter (31% on 19 attempts). He’ll enter next season as one of the favorites for both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in the Atlantic Ten next season.
Dillon Mitchell I Texas I Wing I Sophomore
From a production standpoint, it was far from the season expected from the former five star prospect and projected top ten pick. In 17.5 minutes of action, Mitchell averaged 4.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.9 stocks per game on a Texas team that was one win away from the Final Four.
We saw moments of his revered explosive, quick twitch athleticism as a finisher and defensive playmaker, but the consistency and overall impact clearly wasn't there. Additionally, the concerns around his swing skill, 3-point shooting, only intensified. Over his 38 games, Mitchell did not attempt a single 3-pointer and shot only 40% from the free throw line (37 attempts).
With his struggles as a freshman and lacking a true translatable NBA skill, Mitchell was far from a lock to be drafted, making his decision to return the the right move for him and his family. He’s projected to be a starter again on another formidable Texas team and will have another year of comfort on the collegiate level, which should hopefully lead to both more aggression (3.1 field goal attempts) and production on both ends of the floor.
As an elite, NBA caliber athlete with positional size (6-foot-7) and length (6-foot-10 wingspan), Mitchell’s physical tools will always garner significant NBA appeal. Continuing to leverage those tools into two way success and developing as 3-point shooting are the main items to monitor next season as he strives to rebuild his draft stock. Don't count him out.
Coleman Hawkins I Illinois I Big I Senior
Hawkins turned his flashes into production, firmly entrenching himself on the draft radar as one the most versatile and skilled bigs in the country (9.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks). At 6-foot-10, the playmaking big’s tantalizing blend of size and ball skills align with what’s craved for in today’s game.
Two key improvement areas for Hawkins will be his 3-point shooting (28% on 4 attempts per game) and decision making/ball security (3 assists to 2.5 turnovers per game). A quick release, fluid mechanics, touch and confidence all point to reasons to believe in Hawkins developing into a capable 3-point shooting threat despite the percentage.
Projected to go in the second round, the decision to return makes complete sense, even more so now in the welcomed NIL era. He possesses the talent to play himself into the first round in 2024 and returns to a fit with Illinois that will allow him to further his development with the ball in his hands while playing through his mistakes.
Considering he’s taken a leap each season, it’s not out of the question that we’re in store for another one in his final season in Champaign. If that’s the case, don’t be surprised if Hawkins is in the lottery conversation next cycle.
Want to join the discussion? Like Draft Digest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest NBA Draft news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.