With the NBA Draft wrapped for another season and the first whirlwind of trades and whispers of free agency already in full swing, it’s time to look at which players could have an even more memorable career if they were able to go back to college for one season. Some guys find ways to develop in the NBA, but some guys really should have stayed in school for another year, or, in the case of two of Portland’s youngest team members, play in college for even a game.
The NBA Draft is a really fun way to give the top college players one last night in the spotlight before they become just a bunch of potential in a league full of stars. But what if their path to super stardom didn’t end there, and they had the option to go back for one last shot at eternal collegiate glory?
If those players were given the chance to go back for one final season, would they take it? They would still be signed by the team that drafted them, but they get to play in the NCAA ranks for one hopefully amazing year. The catch here is that they can’t collect any NIL money; whatever they’re paid under the NBA rookie scale is what they get.
This is only open to players who had NCAA eligibility left when they went pro. Anyone who finished their college career in full is stuck in the pros. And one final rule is this: it’s only for guys who have never won an NCAA title. If you cut down the nets after a win in the championship game in April, you are staying in the pros as well.
Lastly, we will give the option to a few veteran players who have done very well in the NBA but didn’t win a championship in college or never played in college.
Scoot Henderson
Scoot had offers from Auburn and Georgia, but decided to forgo college and take part in the NBA’s developmental league before turning pro. Scoot has struggled at the NBA level, and while he has shown flashes, he has a lot to work on. His speed on both ends and nose for the basket would serve him well in the college ranks, especially at a school like Arizona. Scoot can fly, and he might be able to take the West Coast Wildcats to their first championship since 1997 and their first championship appearance since 2001. Even if he doesn’t get Arizona a championship, a more refined Scoot returning to the NBA would be a scary thought.
Shaedon Sharpe
Sharpe was technically a player for Kentucky, but he sat out his only season with the team before turning pro. Strange for the number-one recruit in the nation, but it worked, as he was still drafted in the top ten. Like Scoot, Sharpe has shown flashes but needs time to develop his craft, and the NBA is not the best place for that, especially when young players need to build confidence. Sharpe should return to Kentucky for a season and play under the less bright college lights, maybe bringing the midwest Wildcats their first championship since 2012 and their first championship appearance since 2014. Sharpe has a well-rounded game but needs to work on his timing on chances and passes, as well as being more consistent on defense. He seems to be working out the kinks as he goes, but being the top player at one of the best basketball schools in the country might force him to develop into an elite overall player rather than one who chooses his moments a little too carefully.
Kris Murray
Murray was technically brought here as the replacement for CJ McCollum (that’s how the trade ultimately shook out, don’t look at me), but let’s say Murray has not elevated his game to anywhere close to the offensive player CJ was when he was sent to New Orleans. Murray spent three years at Iowa before turning pro, and maybe another year at another school would help him get ready for the NBA. Murray should play for Rick Pitino at St. John’s and see if he can bring them their first championship game appearance since 1952. Murray may never be the all-around offensive powerhouse CJ was, but he could elevate his game to Wes Matthews’ levels if he pushes himself enough, and Pitino is just the coach to get the most out of him while there is still time.
Yang Hansen
Hansen was brought here to be the next great “unicorn” in the NBA, a stretch five who can pass like a point guard, shoot like a forward, and play center like well…a center. Hansen has shown some promise, but mostly looks like a long-term project rather than a guy ready to contribute on the floor in the NBA. Hansen played professionally in China before being drafted by the Blazers, and he would have his pick of schools with his mix of size and skill. UConn would be a great fit for a player like Yang, and he would easily be in the running for player of the year under Dan Hurley, who churns out champions more frequently than any other coach in recent NCAA memory. Hansen has already seen what an East Coast Husky center should look like playing behind Donovan Clingan, who won two titles for Hurley before turning pro. Hansen has a long way to go to prove he can be the next Nikola Jokic, but playing center full-time at one of the most respected basketball schools in the country can only help him take the next step to being that guy.
Damian Lillard
There is nothing Lillard needs to add to his game at this point, but we didn’t get to see him play much at the college level since he was at a small school. He left Weber State as a junior and never got to play a game in the NCAA tournament. It would be fun to see him transfer to Michigan State to play for Tom Izzo and try to bring the Spartans their first championship since 2000 and their first appearance in the biggest game since 2009. Lillard is currently rehabbing an Achilles injury that sidelined him all of the 2026 season, so before we throw him back out against NBA talent, let’s have him play a shorter schedule in the college ranks and come back in 2028 when we might know if we still have a team in Portland anyway. If you thought young Steph Curry was fun to watch at Davidson, wait until you see a fully operational Lillard playing for Izzo State. Logo Lillard in the NCAA tournament? Just tell me where to send my money for that subscription.
Jrue Holiday
Holiday played one action-packed year at UCLA before going pro, and I would like to see what the now veteran player could do with over a decade of experience in the big leagues. Holiday only got to play two tournament games for UCLA, so let’s see if he can go back and lead the Blue and Gold to the championship rounds, which they have not been in since 2006, and they haven’t won a title since 1995. Holiday’s speed, toughness on defense, and ability to pass or shoot from anywhere on the court would be wild, and we need to see what he can do at the college level after already seeing him win titles twice in the NBA.
LeBron James
LeBron famously went pro after high school and never played a second in the college ranks. Born and raised in Ohio, he would probably have been heavily recruited by the Buckeyes and been their star player out of the gate, likely the best player in the country by his first game. James could bring them their first appearance in the title game since 2007, and their first championship since 1960(!). It goes without saying that LeBron would dominate the college ranks, but since we have never seen him in a slam dunk competition, this is the closest we will get. Cue the windmills and the tomahawk dunks, with no player capable of defending him in the key, they will be happening more than any highlight reel you have seen recently.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis played pro ball in Greece before coming to the NBA, bypassing college entirely. One of the most dominant players at both ends of the court for the last decade, it would be amazing to see the freak play in the college ranks. LeBron after 40 would still be incredible, but Giannis in his prime would be even better. Duke has featured some of the best players of all time, and it would be fitting to see Giannis in a Blue Devils jersey. If you thought Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns were electric in college, wait until you see them as one player. And I fully understand that Kentucky fans will hate that I want a mash-up of two of their best players sent to their rival. The NBA can barely handle this guy; if we put him in college, it will be like watching NBA Jam all day, every day. Is it the shoes?? No, it’s Giannis, and yes, he’s on fire. If AI can do anything for us, it should start working on a way to make an NBA broadcast look and sound like NBA Jam. We get the Super Bowl with SpongeBob characters (although I don’t know why), so give us this version too.
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