2026 Draft Buzz: Graves Weighs Pro Jump; Okorie, Evans, Veesaar, Kayil Staying In
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Santa Clara forward Allen Graves, who declared for the 2026 NBA Draft and simultaneously entered the NCAA transfer portal this spring, remains focused on turning professional rather than securing a new college destination, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello reported from the draft combine.
Graves told Borzello he has spoken with only two programs—LSU and Duke—since entering the portal. Kentucky made preliminary contact through his representatives, he added, but if he returns to school, LSU or Duke would be his preferred landing spot. The 6-foot-8 freshman is leaning toward remaining in the draft as long as first-round projections hold. Recent mock drafts place him No. 16 overall (Yahoo Sports), No. 20 (Bleacher Report) and No. 22 (ESPN).
Other Combine Updates
Ebuka Okorie, Stanford’s 6-foot-5 guard projected in the late first round, confirmed he will forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility. “I’m staying in the draft,” he told Borzello after conversations with Stanford coach Kyle Smith, his agents and family.
Isaiah Evans (Duke wing, No. 21 on ESPN’s board) and Henri Veesaar (North Carolina center, No. 31) also finalized decisions to stay in the draft. Evans said he has had no discussions with Duke about returning, while Veesaar called his choice “100 percent” his own and “the right decision, basketball-wise.”
German point guard Jack Kayil, previously committed to Gonzaga for the 2026-27 season, will remain in the draft as well, agents Kevin Bradbury and Milan Nikolic told DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony. Although ESPN ranks Kayil 61st overall, he reportedly received first-round feedback in Chicago after a strong year with German club Alba Berlin.
Givony also listed several notable prospects who opted out of five-on-five scrimmages at the combine, noting that some may already be leaning toward a return to college and preferred to avoid injury risk.
Source: Hoops Rumors
