Cal's Jaylon Tyson, the only Cal player to be named first-team All-Pac-12, has declared for the 2024 NBA draft instead of returning for his final season at Cal, a blow to the program. Projected as a late first-round or early second-round pick, Tyson is ranked No. 32 among NBA draft prospects.

By the Numbers
  • Tyson is ranked No. 32 in the ESPN 100 among NBA draft prospects.
  • Cal went 9-11 in the Pac-12 in the conference’s final season, with Tyson averaging 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
Yes, But

There was hope that Tyson might enter the draft and then withdraw his name before draft day to return for his final college season, but his statement to ESPN seems to preclude that possibility.

State of Play
  • All five starters from the Bears’ 2023-24 team will not be on the Cal roster for the 2024-25 season in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
  • Tyson, Fardaws Aimaq, Keonte Kennedy, Jalen Cone, and Jalen Celestine will all be absent due to various reasons.
What's Next

The NBA draft will be held on June 26-27, where Tyson is expected to make his leap to professional basketball.

Bottom Line

Cal's Jaylon Tyson has decided to forgo his final college season and enter the NBA draft, leaving Cal without its best player for the upcoming season, as he aims to take his talents to the professional level in the NBA.