The withdrawal deadline for the 2026 NBA Draft was on Wednesday night, and the decisions that were made have re-shaped the upcoming college basketball season in a major way.
In the Big Ten, several top players have chosen to forgo the NBA Draft and return to their respective college teams. The conference already has plenty of talent and depth, and the return of multiple top performers from last season give Darian DeVries and the Indiana Hoosiers an even tougher road ahead.
Indiana's Big Ten challenge grows with key stars withdrawing from NBA Draft and returning to college
DeVries has landed a talented transfer portal class that is receiving high praise, but the Hoosiers have just a single returning player from last year's team. That comes in the form of rising sophomore forward Trent Sisley, who averaged 4.2 points per game coming off the bench.
That returning production pales in comparison to teams around the conference who are returning all-league players who were on the verge of entering the NBA Draft. Here are three of top Big Ten players Indiana has to worry about this season after they decided to forgo the 2026 NBA Draft.
Jeremy Fears Jr, Michigan State
Michigan State point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. became one of the best playmakers in the country, as well as one of the most polarizing players out there. Fears averaged 15.2 points per game while leading the entire country in assists per game with 9.4. He controls tempo extremely well and makes opposing defenses uncomfortable make him among the best point guards in the nation.
The Hoosiers battled the Spartans twice this past season, and Fears was sensational in both contests. He racked up 23 points and 10 assists on January 13 in East Lansing and then scored 21 points and dished out 9 assists on March 1 in Bloomington. Both games resulted in double-digit wins for Michigan State, and Fears' return to East Lansing next season makes Tom Izzo's Spartans extremely dangerous once again.
Elliot Cadeau, Michigan
Michigan point guard Elliot Cadeau played a major role in the Wolverines' National Championship season, and was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Cadeau was at his best when it mattered most, as he averaged 12.3 points and 7.5 assists per game during Michigan's March Madness run. Needless to say, his return to Ann Arbor aids Michigan's hopes at repeating as national champs.
In the lone meeting between the Hoosiers and Wolverines this past season, Cadeau torched Indiana with an impressive well-rounded performance. The West Orange, NJ native totaled 19 points on 5-of-11 shooting and grabbed 4 rebounds while also dishing out an assist. His efforts helped lead Michigan to a convincing 86-72 victory over Indiana in Ann Arbor. Cadeau controls Michigan's high-octane offensive attack with ease and has steadily improved his shooting ability. The Wolverines are expected to compete for another national title next season, and Cadeau is a big reason why.
Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois
Illinois guard Andrej Stojakovic waited until the last possible day to make his NBA Draft decision, and he ultimately decided to return to Champaign for his senior season. Stojakovic's well-rounded and versatile skill set made him a matchup nightmare this past season. In total, he averaged 13.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game during the regular season before averaging 13.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in the NCAA Tournament en route to earning All-South Region Team honors.
For an Illinois team that was already stacked, Stojakovic's return spells bad news for the Big Ten and Indiana. Among the returners in Champaign are David Mirkovic, Tomislav Ivisc, Zvonimir Ivisic, and Jake Davis. In addition, Illinois secured a transfer home run landing former Providence point guard Stefan Vaaks. Getting Stojakovic back as well makes Brad Underwood's team one of the most dangerous in the country heading into 2026-27.
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