NBA Draft Numbers Plummet: NIL Era Reshaping College Basketball’s Path to the Pros
The 2026 NBA Draft is seeing a historically low number of entrants – only 71 players – due to the increasing influence of NIL deals in college basketball. This trend is prompting a re-evaluation of the path to the NBA, with more players choosing to remain in school and capitalize on earning opportunities. Experts are debating whether this shift will ultimately benefit both college basketball and the professional league.