Just 71 players filed as early entrants to the 2026 NBA draft, the lowest mark since 2004 and by far the fewest since NCAA rules started allowing players to “test the waters” before later returning to college in 2016. The biggest driver of that is the NIL and revenue-share boom that has made turning pro far less lucrative financially than staying in school for players not projected to land in the first round. Even some first-rounders can make as much or more money in college. Many top players aren’t even bothering to test the waters and are locking in deals to return to school before the entry deadline. Stars like Thomas Haugh (Florida) and Braylon Mullins (UConn) have already decided to spend another year in college.  That said, there are still a handful of prospects whose decisions could go either way once they receive feedback at the NBA draft combine in May.…