NBA Draft Decisions Will Impact 2023-24 Big Ten Contenders
For Indiana, it's simple.
Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino are off to the NBA.
Jackson-Davis openly spoke of his eventual departure following the 2022-23 season, as he became Indiana's all-time leader in rebounds and blocked shots and rose to No. 3 on the program's all-time scoring list. A second season at Indiana seemed possible for Hood-Schifino for some time, but his 35-point effort at Purdue and status as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year put him in lottery-pick contention.
Jackson-Davis and Hood-Schifino participated in the NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena in Chicago in mid May, and both have a chance to be first-round picks in the NBA Draft on June 22.
The duo that led Indiana to a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament will not return to the Big Ten, but a handful of players around the conference declared for the NBA Draft while maintaining collegiate eligibility. Their decisions will significantly impact the 2023-24 Big Ten title race.
Let's start with arguably the most important decision, coming from Purdue's National Player of the Year Zach Edey. The 7-foot-4 center dominated every opponent throughout the regular season as Purdue held the nation's No. 1 ranking for seven weeks, but Edey's junior year ended with a disappointing first-round loss to No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson.
Edey's inside-oriented game doesn't necessarily fit the NBA's style of play, so most consider him a second-round pick. His draft stock likely won't drop by returning to Purdue, either, and with NIL money available in college, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Edey opt for a revenge tour with most of Purdue's roster already returning in 2023-24. If Edey returns, Purdue is the Big Ten favorite after winning the league by three games. With a bonus COVID-19 year, Edey could play for Purdue in 2024-25, too.
Decisions from guards A.J. Hoggard and Jaden Akins will impact Michigan State's standing as a Big Ten title favorite. Hoggard is coming off the most productive season of his career, averaging 12.9 points and 5.9 assists in 33 starts, but he wasn't invited to the NBA combine. Akins, a 42.2 percent 3-point shooter, wasn't invited to the combine, either, despite appearing on some draft boards. Michigan State will still have one of the conference's top guards with Tyson Walker, but a backcourt trio with Hoggard and Akins gives Michigan State an argument for the preseason Big Ten favorite.
Terrence Shannon Jr. was one of the best transfers last season, averaging 17.2 for Illinois and earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. Shannon and teammate Coleman Hawkins (9.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg) are widely considered second-round picks, so their performances at the combine could go a long way in their decisions. Illinois would lose five of its top six scorers from 2022-23 if the duo leaves, but a return from one or both puts the Illini near the top of the conference.
Northwestern guard Boo Buie announced a few weeks ago that he's returning for his fifth season after averaging 17.3 points last year. His decision could be a sign of things to come for Big Ten Defensive Player of the year Chase Audige, who was not invited to the combine. Starting power forward Robbie Beran is gone, but with Buie returning and possibly Audige, as well, Northwestern has a case for the Big Ten's best back court. Coach Chris Collins signed an extension this offseason, with the Wildcats eyeing back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in program history.
Rutgers big man Cliff Omoruyi will compete at the NBA G-League Elite Camp, which takes place just before the NBA combine. Omoruyi is a tenacious rebounder and shot blocker, but it's not a sure thing that he'd get drafted if he leaves Rutgers. Omoruyi's teammate Paul Mulcahy declared for the draft but wasn't invited to the combine or G-League Elite Camp, so most expect him to return for a fifth year. Two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Caleb McConnell is gone, but Rutgers could be a contender if Omoruyi and Mulcahy return.
Nebraska's Keisei Tominaga was an underrated player in the Big Ten last season, scoring 13.1 points per game on 40 percent 3-point shooting. He wasn't invited to the combine, but has a fifth year of eligibility available. It's tough to see Nebraska finishing in the top five of the Big Ten even if Tominaga returns, but his lethal 3-point shooting would help make the Cornhuskers competitive.
Here are the 11 Big Ten players that were invited to the NBA Draft combine.
- Kobe Bufkin, Michigan
- Zach Edey, Purdue
- Coleman Hawkins, Illinois
- Jalen Hood-Schifino, Indiana
- Jett Howard, Michigan
- Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
- Seth Lundy, Penn State
- Kris Murray, Iowa
- Jalen Pickett, Penn State
- Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State
- Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois
The NBA also hosted 45 players in a G League Elite Camp in Chicago, and five Big Ten players were invited.
- Hakim Hart, Maryland (transferring to Villanova)
- Joey Hauser, Michigan State
- Matthew Mayer, Illinois
- Caleb McConnell, Rutgers
- Cliff Omoruyi, Rutgers
