For a time, college basketball’s role in the NBA’s developmental ecosystem seemed to be slipping. As elite prospects increasingly chose alternative paths — including international leagues, the G League Ignite, and the upstart Overtime Elite — traditional college programs appeared to be losing their grip on the NBA talent pipeline. But in 2025, the trend is shifting again. College basketball is not only back — it’s reasserting itself as the premier launching pad for future NBA stars.
A powerful example of this resurgence is the journey of BYU standout Demin, a 6-foot-9 guard projected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Demin’s decision to commit to BYU, despite never having visited the campus, raised eyebrows. But his trust in the vision laid out by BYU head coach Kevin Young — a former NBA assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns — has proven wise.
An NBA-Style Program with College Roots
Young’s pitch to Demin was simple but bold: join a system at BYU that mirrors the NBA in style, preparation, and support. “It’s everything,” Young told ESPN. “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.”
It wasn’t just talk. BYU’s 2024-25 season culminated in its first Sweet 16 appearance in over a decade — a statement year not just for the program, but for the college model as a whole. For NBA scouts and executives, it provided a high-stakes platform to evaluate talent like Demin, who proved he could lead and thrive under a system built for professional growth.
NIL and the New College Basketball
Of course, it’s not just about systems and coaching. The rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities has dramatically changed the equation for elite players. Demin reportedly received an NIL package worth over $1 million — a level of compensation that not only rivals but often surpasses what young players can earn in alternative leagues.
This combination of NBA-ready infrastructure and substantial financial incentives is making college basketball the most attractive option again. For players like Demin, it’s the best of both worlds: professional-level development in a competitive, nationally visible environment — with the added benefit of life-changing compensation.
The Data Behind the Shift
Between 2015 and 2022, college players routinely made up the vast majority of NBA lottery picks — averaging 12 of the top 14 selections, according to ESPN Research. But that dominance declined in 2023 and 2024, when alternative paths produced a growing share of lottery talent.
Yet in 2025, college basketball is bouncing back. ESPN now projects 12 college players in this year’s lottery — tying the second-highest mark since 2015. It’s a clear sign that, after years of experimentation with other pathways, the traditional NCAA route is once again being recognized as the most effective and stable road to the NBA.
A Strategic Decision for the Future
Demin’s own words capture why this resurgence matters. “College basketball is a better adjustment to American basketball since the final goal is to be an NBA player for me,” he said. “I think it was a better, more clear path.”
He’s not alone in that belief. A growing number of elite prospects now see college as the smart move — one that combines exposure, elite coaching, NBA-style systems, and the financial support to focus fully on development.
In short, college basketball didn’t just survive the era of professional alternatives. It adapted — and in doing so, it may have reclaimed its role as the top NBA development option for the next generation of stars.
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