College basketball is experiencing a dramatic resurgence in NBA draft relevance, with ESPN projecting 12 college players selected in this year's lottery. This represents a significant rebound after international prospects dominated recent drafts, with only 17 college players chosen in the lottery across 2023 and 2024.
The shift follows a period when college basketball became an afterthought in NBA development. Between 2015 and 2022, an average of 12 lottery picks were college players, but international leagues and alternative pathways gained prominence in recent years.
NIL opportunities have fundamentally changed the landscape for prospects. College programs can now offer competitive financial packages while providing the traditional college experience and March Madness exposure that many players prefer.
Top college programs have restructured operations to mirror NBA franchises. BYU's Kevin Young, a former NBA assistant, created a system designed to prepare prospects like projected lottery pick Egor Demin for professional basketball.
"It's everything," Young told ESPN about how BYU emulates the professional ranks. "It's style of play. It's how we work out. It's who works them out. It's what they eat, who tells them what to eat."
Illinois coach Brad Underwood has successfully developed diverse talent types, from international freshman Kasparas Jakucionis to transfer veteran Terrence Shannon Jr. The program's approach emphasizes professionalism and competitive mentality.
"They're professionals," Underwood said. "They know how to work. They're very much mature. They didn't get wrapped up in anything else."
NBA executives increasingly prefer college-developed talent due to cultural preparation and coaching discipline. The financial pressures of the current CBA have created opportunities for veteran college players previously overlooked during the one-and-done era.
Programs with NBA-experienced staff members hold significant advantages in prospect development. Many projected first-round picks worked with coaches or trainers who previously held NBA positions.