The NBA has announced 71 players have filed as early entry candidates for the draft in June – reportedly the smallest number of players in more than two decades.

Yet, just five years ago, the NBA announced 363 players had filed as early entry candidates – reportedly the highest number in league history. And the numbers have dipped every year since then.

There’s little mystery behind the trend. The Name Image and Likeness (NIL) era began in July 2021, allowing college athletes to cash in like never before. Clearly, it’s made staying in school more appealing for players not guaranteed to be picked high enough – or at all – during the two-round NBA draft that determines a rookie's salary. The year's draft will be held June 23-24.

Last year, Cooper Flagg, by virtue of getting picked No.1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, was guaranteed a four-year deal worth more than $62 million, according to spotrac. Getting picked No. 30, the last pick of the first round, guaranteed a four-year deal worth $14 million, according to spotrac.

By contrast, not all second-round picks are guaranteed contracts.

Rasheer Fleming, the top second-round pick last year, was guaranteed about $6 million for a four-year, $8.7 million contact, according to spotrac.

(from left) Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and Mavericks first overall pick Cooper Flagg and head coach Jason Kidd pose for a photo at the Dallas Mavericks Practice Facility on June 27, 2025.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg follows through with a dunk against the Charlotte Hornets in the first half of a game at American Airlines Center on Oct .11, 2025.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) and San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) go for a loose ball during the second half at American Airlines Center on Oct. 22, 2025.Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) battles for the ball with Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the first quarter at American Airlines Center on Nov. 16, 2025.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) reacts after scoring during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Center on Dec. 3, 2025.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg points to his team bench as he celebrates scoring against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center on Dec. 23, 2025.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg dunks the ball during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the American Airlines Center on Jan. 1, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) sits on the team bench before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center on Jan. 6, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) and Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post (21) and guard Gary Payton II (0) battles for the ball during the first half at American Airlines Center on Jan. 22, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) and guard Buddy Hield (7) defend during the second half at American Airlines Center on Jan. 22, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (right) speaks with Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel before the game at American Airlines Center on Jan. 29, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) shoots over Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) and Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) during the second half at American Airlines Center on Jan. 29, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks the ball as Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (30) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center on Jan. 31, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks the ball past San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center on Feb 5, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) loses the ball while being defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Corey Kispert (24) in the second quarter at State Farm Arena on Mar 10, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) runs up the court during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at American Airlines Center on Mar 13, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center on Mar 16, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) blocks teh shot of Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the second half at American Airlines Center on Mar 18, 2026.Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) controls the ball as Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) defends during the second half at American Airlines Center on Mar 18, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg celebrates during the first quarter against the LA Clippers at the American Airlines Center on Mar 21, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) helps up forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the first quarter against the LA Clippers at the American Airlines Center on Mar 21, 2026.LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) battle for the loose ball during the over time period at the American Airlines Center on Mar 21, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center on Mar 23, 2026.Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) and Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) battle for the ball with Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the second half at American Airlines Center on Mar 23, 2026.Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks the ball past Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center on Apr 3, 2026.1 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year(from left) Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and Mavericks first overall pick Cooper Flagg and head coach Jason Kidd pose for a photo at the Dallas Mavericks Practice Facility on June 27, 2025.1 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year(from left) Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and Mavericks first overall pick Cooper Flagg and head coach Jason Kidd pose for a photo at the Dallas Mavericks Practice Facility on June 27, 2025.2 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg follows through with a dunk against the Charlotte Hornets in the first half of a game at American Airlines Center on Oct .11, 2025.3 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) and San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) go for a loose ball during the second half at American Airlines Center on Oct. 22, 2025.4 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearPortland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) battles for the ball with Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the first quarter at American Airlines Center on Nov. 16, 2025.5 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) reacts after scoring during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Center on Dec. 3, 2025.6 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg points to his team bench as he celebrates scoring against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center on Dec. 23, 2025.7 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg dunks the ball during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the American Airlines Center on Jan. 1, 2026.8 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) sits on the team bench before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center on Jan. 6, 2026.9 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) and Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post (21) and guard Gary Payton II (0) battles for the ball during the first half at American Airlines Center on Jan. 22, 2026.10 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) and guard Buddy Hield (7) defend during the second half at American Airlines Center on Jan. 22, 2026.11 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (right) speaks with Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel before the game at American Airlines Center on Jan. 29, 2026.12 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) shoots over Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) and Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) during the second half at American Airlines Center on Jan. 29, 2026.13 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks the ball as Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (30) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center on Jan. 31, 2026.14 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks the ball past San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center on Feb 5, 2026.15 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) loses the ball while being defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Corey Kispert (24) in the second quarter at State Farm Arena on Mar 10, 2026.16 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) runs up the court during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at American Airlines Center on Mar 13, 2026.17 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center on Mar 16, 2026.18 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) blocks teh shot of Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the second half at American Airlines Center on Mar 18, 2026.19 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearAtlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) controls the ball as Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) defends during the second half at American Airlines Center on Mar 18, 2026.20 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg celebrates during the first quarter against the LA Clippers at the American Airlines Center on Mar 21, 2026.21 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) helps up forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the first quarter against the LA Clippers at the American Airlines Center on Mar 21, 2026.22 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearLA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) battle for the loose ball during the over time period at the American Airlines Center on Mar 21, 2026.23 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center on Mar 23, 2026.24 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearGolden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) and Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) battle for the ball with Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the second half at American Airlines Center on Mar 23, 2026.25 / 25Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg named 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the YearDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks the ball past Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center on Apr 3, 2026.The case of Florida Gators star Thomas HaughThe Athletic helped spotlight the new dynamics when Thomas Haugh, a rising senior forward at Florida who was considered potential draft lottery pick, recently diclosed he will return for a fourth season with the Gators.

“Haugh is expected to be among the highest earners in college basketball next season, with sources familiar with the decision projecting that he’s in line to make around what he’d earn in his first two NBA seasons combined if he’d been drafted in the top 20 in this year’s draft,’’ The Athletic reported.

Other potential first-round draft picks who have decided to stay in school include Braylon Mullins (UConn) and Patrick Ngongba II (Duke), according to Bryan Kalbrosky of USA TODAY Sports.

Meanwhile, the number of early entry candidates likely will shrink further before the NBA draft lottery, which is May 10 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC. That’s when the order of selection will be determined for the 14 teams who qualified for the lottery.

In its release, Monday, April 27 the NBA explains the process if a player wants to withdraw his name. Under NCAA rules, in order to retain college basketball eligibility, college players who have entered the 2026 NBA Draft must withdraw by May 27. Players who have applied for early entry have the right to withdraw their names from consideration for the draft by notifying the NBA of their decision in writing no later than 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 13

That could include Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan), Ebuka Okorie (Stanford) and Meleek Thomas (Arkansas), according to Kalbrosky.

Alijah Arenas, the son of retired NBA Al-Star Gilbert Arenas, will return for his sophomore season at Southern California, the Los Angeles Times has reported. He was a five-star high school recruit who seemed likely to opt for the NBA draft after one season with the Trojans, and his name appears on the early-entry college list the NBA released Monday.

In April 2025 Arena was placed in an induced coma after a car crash, and the accident resulted in a slow start to his freshman season.

The NBA playoffs bring out more than high‑stakes basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker style on the league’s biggest stage.See the coolest kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where footwear becomes part of the spotlight.Above, The shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.

1 / 9Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker styleThe NBA playoffs bring out more than high‑stakes basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker style on the league’s biggest stage.See the coolest kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where footwear becomes part of the spotlight.Above, The shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.

The NBA playoffs bring out more than high‑stakes basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker style on the league’s biggest stage.See the coolest kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where footwear becomes part of the spotlight.Above, The shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.

Non-international players from colleges who have applied for early entry into the 2026 NBA Draft, with player name, school, height and class (FR=freshman, SO=sophomore, JR=junior).

International players who have applied for early entry into the 2026 NBA Draft, with player name, team (country of team in parentheses) and date of birth):

Francesco Ferrari, Virtus Bologna (Italy), 6-9, 2005