The NBA Draft is fast approaching, and the number of early entrants has shrunk dramatically this season. There are only 71 players younger than their senior season who have put their name in the NBA Draft. There were 106 that were in it last season. So, Nick Boyd's NBA dream became more realistic simply with fewer underclassmen taking draft spots. And of those 71, somewhere around 25 or so will return to school before the draft (players like John Blackwell).
Yet, Nick Boyd is still in a tough spot. ESPN currently ranks him as the 92nd best player in the NBA Draft. There are only 60 picks. He would need more than 30 players ahead of him to withdraw to go back to school, and not everyone ahead of him is an early entrant. There are scores of players out of eligibility on the NBA Draft Big Board.
Ryan Hammer thinks only about 15-20 seniors get drafted in this class. Which is pretty historic numbers, but not quite enough for Nick Boyd. Yet, he may still realize his NBA dream.
71 NBA Draft early entrants.
— Ryan Hammer🔨 (@ryanhammer09) April 29, 2026
26 I expect to return to school.
9 of them are toss ups.
Of that 35, I currently expect ~12 to be drafted.
Currently 15-20 seniors projected to get drafted.
If we see 25+ early entrants return to school, could be a historic draft for seniors.
Nick Boyd has his best NBA chance this coming offseason even if he's not drafted
Related: Andy Katz details Wisconsin's haul in the transfer portal: "Brought in winners"
Last season, the Badgers watched John Tonje get drafted in the second round of the NBA Draft. Then, Steven Crowl and Max Klesmit sign Exhibit 10 and G-League contracts. Neither was able to make an NBA roster, but both helped the Utah Jazz's G League affiliate. Nick Boyd is an even better prospect than those players. There's a chance Boyd finds a two-way contract even if he isn't drafted.
The other option, and plenty of elite players have done it over the years, is to head overseas. There's still a ton of money to be had in various international leagues. The EuroLeague is giving top players millions. Nigel Hayes-Davis (a former Badger) has proven that not once but twice.
Boyd does have a chance to be selected in the NBA Draft, but it's slim. He has an even better chance of landing a G-League spot and the best chance of dominating some international league. Either way, he's going to play professionally somewhere.
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