2027 NBA Draft prospects: CBS Sports names 10 college risers
CBS Sports spotlighted 10 returning college players who could push toward the 2027 NBA Draft first round with big seasons.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
The hunt for 2027 NBA Draft prospects is already rolling, and CBS Sports analyst Cameron Salerno has pointed to 10 returning college players who could lift their pro standing during the 2026-27 season.
Salerno wrote that the next draft class is not expected to match the strength of the 2026 group, but he still sees potential first-round talent across the board. Kansas freshman Tyran Stokes, ranked by 247Sports as the No. 1 player in the 2026 recruiting cycle, is described by CBS Sports as the current favorite to be taken first next summer.
CBS Sports also noted that several players it previously flagged as college returnees to watch, including Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg, Iowa's Bennett Stirtz and Alabama's Labaron Philon, later became first-round picks. Collin Murray-Boyles, another prior pick by Salerno as a player who could rise after returning to South Carolina, was selected No. 9 by Toronto, according to CBS Sports.
Which college players could rise in the 2027 NBA Draft?
Salerno's list starts with Florida forward Thomas Haugh, whom CBS Sports called the biggest returning piece of the offseason. The report said Haugh likely would have gone in the top 20 had he stayed in the 2026 draft, and it described him as a national player of the year favorite on a Florida team projected to open at No. 1.
UConn guard Braylon Mullins also made the cut after hitting a late NCAA Tournament shot against Duke in the Elite Eight. CBS Sports said Mullins probably would have landed in the back half of the first round in 2026 and should get more responsibility in UConn's offense.
Arkansas' Billy Richmond III is another name to watch. CBS Sports reported that Richmond waited until the final day of the stay-or-go deadline to return and noted that he has made 23% of his 74 3-point attempts over two college seasons, making shooting improvement a key piece of his draft case.
USC guard Alijah Arenas is expected to draw close attention after missing the start of his freshman year with a knee injury. Per CBS Sports, he played the final 14 games and averaged 14.1 points in 27.6 minutes, with efficiency labeled as the next step.
Duke center Patrick Ngongba II is expected by CBS Sports to anchor the Blue Devils' defense after a breakout sophomore season.
Kentucky guard-forward Milan Momcilovic transferred after shooting nearly 50% from 3-point range on more than seven attempts per game at Iowa State, according to CBS Sports.
Alabama wing Amari Allen could follow the Labaron Philon path if he handles more on-ball work and improves on his 34.1% freshman 3-point mark, CBS Sports wrote.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas averaged 1.9 blocks per game as the Wildcats reached their first Final Four in 25 years, according to the report.
Miami forward Shelton Henderson returns as the Hurricanes' top scorer after averaging 13.8 points as a freshman, per CBS Sports.
St. John's guard-forward Tounde Yessoufou averaged 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds at Baylor, then chose another college season and committed to St. John's, CBS Sports reported.
What does returning to school mean for draft stock?
For NBA hopefuls, returning to college gives scouts another season of evidence against high-level competition. In the cases highlighted by CBS Sports, the biggest swing factors include shooting, expanded offensive roles, defensive impact and proving production can hold up with more attention.
Salerno wrote that Haugh, Mullins, Ngongba, Momcilovic, Allen and Yessoufou are among the players with a path toward the first round if their seasons break right. For now, the 2027 board is early, crowded and very much open for a college breakout to crash the party.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.