Could College Basketball Surpass the NBA in Player Development?
For years, college basketball has served as a stepping stone or a brief pit stop before the NBA. Elite talents like Cooper Flagg, Cade Cunningham, and Paolo Banchero lit up the college scene for a single season before declaring for the draft. Meanwhile, leagues like the G League Ignite and Overtime Elite promised a more professional alternative, offering financial incentives and a streamlined focus on development. However, in 2025, the college basketball landscape has changed with the emergence of NIL deals, enhanced coaching staffs, and new state-of-the-art facilities. College basketball has redefined its identity, not just as an entertainment product, but as a legitimate development powerhouse. The numbers back it up as well, with more elite prospects turning down pro leagues to remain on campus or choosing March Madness over anonymous arenas. Take Darryn Peterson, the five-star guard who opted for Kansas over any pro-option, or Cooper Flagg, who became the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after just one season at Duke. These players not only benefited from massive NIL deals but also received high-level coaching, NBA-style game reps, and weekly exposure on national TV. Overtime Elite may offer earlier paychecks, but it lacks the tradition, visibility, and high-pressure environments that college basketball provides.
Moreover, the college game has completely evolved. Strength programs are now 12-month operations. Coaching staffs are filled with NBA experience, and many programs boast facilities that rival or surpass those in the pros. At places like Alabama, Arizona, and Kentucky, athletes train with the latest in sports science, sleep monitoring, biomechanical analysis, and individualized nutrition plans. It’s no wonder that many players report greater growth in college than in the lower levels of the NBA. Add in the recent approval of the House v. NCAA settlement, which allows schools to pay players directly starting July 2025, and college hoops is inching closer to a true semi-pro system. With stable income, growing brand exposure, and a developmental structure tailored to elite performance, the college path may not just be viable, it might now be optimal. The NBA remains the ultimate goal for these athletes, but the best way to get there is trending towards dorm rooms and campus rather than straight to the NBA systems.
The NIL market as of today rivals the finances that come with being a mid-to-late round NBA draft selection. Players such as Tahaad Pettiford and RJ Luis have experienced the differences of staying at school versus declaring for the draft early. While Pettiford inked a new NIL deal north of two million dollars, Luis, on the other hand, struggled to find a transfer portal destination or an NBA home. While the reigning Big East Player of the Year entered the portal, he ultimately decided to withdraw his name and stay in the 2025 NBA Draft. Luis went undrafted but was signed soon after to the Utah Jazz. Staying in college that extra year seems more beneficial for some than others. Some players can earn themselves six-figure NIL deals, or be victims of becoming undrafted.
