Syracuse, N.Y. -- Last season, 236 underclassmen declared for the NBA Draft. Of those underclassmen, 181 were college players.

Some of them quickly ended their college careers by signing with agents and definitively turning pro. Others lingered through the process, some earning invitations to the NBA draft combine (Tyus Battle), some finding individual teams interested enough to work them out.

By the deadline to return to school, 77 underclass college players stayed in the draft; 40 were selected by NBA franchises. Of the 30 players selected in the first round, 14 were college freshmen. Eight freshmen were among the top 10 picks.

A glimpse of last year's underclassmen and their fates (May projections from ESPN's Jonathan Givony):

Rick Scuteri

Deandre Ayton

Draft projection May 2018: 1

Draft selection June 2018: 1 (Suns)

College: Arizona (freshman)

1st year salary: $8.17 million

Rookie stats: 16.3 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 30.7 mpg, 58.5% FG

Ayton's rookie year solidified the Suns' decision to make him the first pick of last year's draft. He averaged a double-double on an abysmal team; Phoenix fired its head coach after one season. Ayton, though, was a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable year.

Don't Edit

Michael DeMocker

Marvin Bagley III

Draft projection May 2018: 3

Draft selection June 2018: 2 (Kings)

College: Duke (freshman)

1st year salary: $7.31 million

Rookie stats: 14.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 50.4% FG

Bagley had an All-Rookie type of season for the Kings, who were actually in the playoff hunt this season. He finished 5th among rookie scorers and was better in the second half of the season.

Don't Edit

Jaren Jackson, Jr.

Draft projection May 2018: 4

Draft selection June 2018: 4 (Grizzlies)

College: Michigan State (freshman)

1st year salary: $5.92 million

Rookie stats: 13.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 35.9% from 3, 50.6% overall, 26.1 mpg

Jackson's rookie season was cut short a bit by injury, but he was effective for the Grizzlies in his initial year in the NBA as a stretch four who can score from deep distances and defend.

Don't Edit

Gus Chan

Trae Young

Draft projection May 2018: 8

Draft selection June 2018: 5 (Mavericks -- traded to Hawks)

College: Oklahoma (freshman)

1st year salary: $5.36 million

Rookie stats: 19.1 ppg, 8.1 apg, 41.8% FG, 32.4% from 3, 30.9 mpg

Young was terrific in his rookie campaign with a young Hawks team that needed all the offensive help it could get. He's an electric presence and as the season wore on, his shooting and his feel improved. He put together a memorable 49-point, 16-assist performance in a loss to Chicago.

Don't Edit

Mo Bamba

Draft projection May 2018: 5

Draft selection June 2018: 6 (Magic)

College: Texas (freshman)

1st year salary: $4.87 million

Rookie stats: 6.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 48% FG, 30% from 3, 16.3 mpg, 47 games

Bamba, the 7-footer, sustained a stress fracture to his left tibia that limited him to 47 games this season. Magic management was said to be "bringing him along slowly" his rookie year.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com

Wendell Carter

Draft projection May 2018: 6

Draft selection June 2018: 7 (Bulls)

College: Duke (freshman)

1st year salary: $4.44 million

Rookie stats: 10.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.3 bpg, 48.5% FG, 44 games, 25.2 mpg

The former Blue Devils' season was cut short in January when he had surgery to repair an injured left thumb. Before that, he put ups solid numbers for a rebuilding Chicago franchise.

Don't Edit

Joshua Gunter

Collin Sexton

Draft projection May 2018: 9

Draft selection June 2018: 8 (Cavaliers)

College: Alabama (freshman)

1st year salary: $4.07 million

Rookie stats: 16.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.0 apg, 43% FG, 40.2% from 3, 31.8 mpg

Sexton, a scoring point guard at Alabama, had a good rookie year for the Cavs, who are among the NBA teams in rebuild mode. Sexton played on the ball and off the ball (where he might be better suited) and shot it well enough that he likely will be an NBA All-Rookie selection.

Don't Edit

Elsa

Kevin Knox

Draft projection May 2018: 15

Draft selection June 2018: 9 (Knicks)

College: Kentucky (freshman)

1st year salary: $3.74 million

Rookie stats: 12.8 ppg, 37% FG, 34.3% from 3, 4.5 rpg, 28.8 mpg, 75 games

Knox, who is still 19 years old, had a lot to learn on a team that wasn't very good. He played well in stretches, not so well in others. Ultimately, he had a decent rookie year, all things considered.

Don't Edit

Mikal Bridges

Draft projection May 2018: 10

Draft selection June 2018: 10 (Sixers - traded to Suns)

College: Villanova (junior)

1st year salary: $3.55 million

Rookie stats: 8.3 ppg, 43% FG, 33.5% from 3, 3.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 29.5 mpg

Draft night was weird for Bridges, who was selected by his hometown Sixers (where his mom works) then traded to the Suns for Zhaire Smith and other considerations. Bridges had a fine rookie year, his defense probably his most important attribute on a team that needs a lot of everything.

Don't Edit

Ben Margot

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Draft projection May 2018: 12

Draft selection June 2018: 11 (Hornets - traded to Clippers)

College: Kentucky (freshman)

1st year salary: $3.38 million

Rookie stats: 10.8 ppg, 47.6% FG, 36.7% from 3, 3.3 apg, 2.8 rpg, 26.5 mpg

SGA had a nice rookie year on a good Clippers team. He was even better in the playoffs, where he averaged more minutes and more points (nearly 14) than during the regular season.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Brett Duke

Miles Bridges

Draft projection May 2018: 11

Draft selection June 2018: 12 (Clippers - traded to Hornets)

College: Michigan State (sophomore)

1st year salary: $3.21 million

Rookie stats: 7.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 46.4% FG, 32.5% from 3, 21.2 mpg

Bridges, like a lot of rookies, improved as the season progressed. He was a defensive work in progress, again typical for NBA rookies, but impressed with his athleticism.

Don't Edit

Mark J. Terrill

Jerome Robinson

Draft projection May 2018: 38

Draft selection June 2018: 13 (Clippers)

College: Boston College (junior)

1st year salary: $3.05 million

Rookie stats: 3.4 ppg, 40%FG, 31.6% from 3, 1.2 rpg, 33 games, 9.7 mpg

Robinson, the sweet-shooting guard out of BC, was bothered most of the early part of the NBA season with a nagging foot injury. He spent time in the G League for the Agua Caliente Clippers, where he averaged nearly 19 points in 31 minutes. The Clippers have a young, promising backcourt and Robinson is expected to be a future contributor.

Don't Edit

Michael Porter Jr.

Draft projection May 2018: 7

Draft selection June 2018: 14 (Nuggets)

College: Missouri (freshman)

1st year salary: $2.85 million

Rookie stats: Did not play

Porter, Jr., once a potential No. 1 pick in 2018, has had two back surgeries -- one during his freshman year at Missouri, the second one last summer after the Nuggets made him the last lottery pick. He has yet to play this season, though reports suggest he is fully healed.

Don't Edit

Gus Chan

Troy Brown, Jr.

Draft projection May 2018: 19

Draft selection June 2018: 15 (Wizards)

College: Oregon (freshman)

1st year salary: $2.75 million

Rookie stats: 4.8 ppg, 41.5% FG, 31.9% from 3, 2.8 rpg, 52 games, 14 mpg

Brown spent the early part of his Wizards career mostly playing for the Capital Go-Gos in the G League. He was promoted to the Wizards in February, stayed with the squad and showed improvement as the season wore on.

Don't Edit

Zhaire Smith

Draft projection May 2018: 16

Draft selection June 2018: 16 (Suns -- traded to the Sixers)

College: Texas Tech

1st year salary: $2.61 million

Rookie stats: 6 games, 6.7 ppg, 41.2% FG, 37.5% from 3, 2.2 rpg, 18.4 mpg

Smith has an interesting story to tell. He broke his foot last summer. Last fall, a severe allergic reaction put him in the hospital and weakened his body for weeks, to the point where he needed feeding tubes to nourish him. He eventually got back to basketball, played 10 G League games before joining the Sixers in March.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Gus Chan

Donte DiVincenzo

Draft projection May 2018: 34

Draft selection June 2018: 17 (Bucks)

College: Villanova (sophomore)

1st year salary: $2.48 million

Rookie stats: 4.9 ppg, 40.3% FG, 26.5% from 3, 2.4 rpg, 15.2 mpg, 27 games

DiVincenzo, the hero of the 2018 NCAA men's national championship game, moved up quickly on the draft board last year. He was hampered most of this season with heel problems and was eventually shelved for the year in March to rest and rehabilitate his foot.

Don't Edit

Lonnie Walker IV

Draft projection May 2018: 13

Draft selection June 2018: 18 (Spurs)

College: Miami (freshman)

1st year salary: $2.36 million

Rookie stats: 2.6 ppg, 34.8% FG, 38.5% from 3, 17 games, 6.9 mpg

Walker spent most of the season playing for Austin in the G League, where he averaged nearly 17 points per game and shot the ball fairly well (35.8 percent from 3). A bouncy, supremely athletic wing forward, he got some run in the playoffs with the Spurs.

Don't Edit

John Kuntz cleveland.com

Kevin Huerter

Draft projection May 2018: not projected

Draft selection June 2018: 19 (Hawks)

College: Maryland (sophomore)

1st year salary: $2.25 million

Rookie stats: 9.7 ppg, 41.9% FG, 38.5% from 3, 3.3 rpg, 2.9 apg, 27.3 mpg, 75 games

Huerter, the former star at Shenendehowa near Albany, had a terrific rookie year on a young team now brimming with potential. Known for his sweet shooting stroke, he started 59 games for the Hawks.

Don't Edit

David Grunfeld

Josh Okogie

Draft projection May 2018: not projected

Draft selection June 2018: 20 (Timberwolves)

College: Georgia Tech (sophomore)

1st year salary: $2.16 million

Rookie stats: 7.7 ppg, 38.6% FG, 27.9% from 3, 2.9 rpg, 74 games

Okogie jumped into the first round in last year's draft and became a solid, dependable player for the Timberwolves this season. He started 52 games, often covered the opposing team's best guard and impressed with his athleticism.

Don't Edit

Aaron Holiday

Draft projection May 2018: 17

Draft selection June 2018: 23 (Pacers)

College: UCLA (junior)

1st year salary: $1.91 million

Rookie stats: 5.9 ppg, 40.1 FG%, 33.9% from 3, 1.7 assists, 12.9 mpg, 50 games

Holiday had a fairly typical rookie year. He got in some games, sat for others. But the Pacers seem high on the 6-foot-1 guard, who could compete for starter's minutes next season.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Moritz Wagner

Draft projection May 2018: 29

Draft selection June 2018: 25 (Lakers)

College: Michigan (junior)

1st year salary: $1.76 million

Rookie stats: 4.8 ppg, 41.5% FG, 28.6% from 3, 2.0 rpg, 10.4 mpg

Wagner, the big man from Michigan, took a lot of 3-pointers for the Lakers, but did not make many of them. Slowed early in the season by a knee problem that plagued him last summer, he played a bit more after the All-Star break.

Don't Edit

Ezra Shaw

Landry Shamet

Draft projection May 2018: 42

Draft selection June 2018: 26 (Sixers)

College: Wichita State (sophomore)

1st year salary: $1.70 million

Rookie stats: 9.1 ppg, 43.1% FG, 42.2 from 3, 1.5 apg

Shamet was traded to the Clippers in February and played 25 games for the Los Angeles-based team. He shot 45 percent from 3 for the Clippers and was a bright young spot for the playoff team.

Don't Edit

Robert Williams

Draft projection May 2018: 14

Draft selection June 2018: 27 (Celtics)

College: Texas A&M (sophomore)

1st year salary: $1.65 million

Rookie stats: 2.5 ppg, 70.6% FG, 2.5 rpg, 1.3 bpg, 32 games, 8.8 mpg

Williams, once a projected lottery pick, slid to the Celtics at No. 27 and has rarely played his rookie year. His worth, at this point, is on the defensive end as a potential shot-blocker.

Don't Edit

Jacob Evans

Draft projection May 2018: 22

Draft selection June 2018: 28 (Warriors)

College: Cincinnati (junior)

1st year salary: $1.64 million

Rookie stats: 1.3 ppg, 34% FG, 26.7% from 3, 30 games, 6.8 mpg

Evans spent all season toggling between the defending champion Warriors and its G League affiliate in Santa Cruz. He has played sparingly with Golden State.

Don't Edit

Gus Chan

Omari Spellman

Draft projection May 2018: not projected

Draft selection June 2018: 30 (Hawks)

College: Villanova (freshman)

1st year salary: $1.62 million

Rookie stats: 5.9 ppg, 40.2% FG, 34.4% from 3, 4.2 rpg, 46 games, 17.5 mpg

Spellman, the last of the Hawks' first-round picks last season, struggled through hip and ankle injuries his rookie year.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Ryan Michalesko

Jalen Brunson

Draft projection May 2018: 28

Draft selection June 2018: 33 (Mavericks)

College: Villanova (junior)

1st year salary: $1.23 million

Rookie stats: 9.3 ppg, 46.7 FG%, 34.8% from 3, 2.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 21.8 mpg, 73 games

Brunson had a solid season for the Mavericks and likely earned a spot as a backup point guard next year. He's a strong and savvy player and made good first impressions after a stellar college career at Villanova.

Don't Edit

David Grunfeld

Melvin Frazier, Jr.

Draft projection May 2018: 36

Draft selection June 2018: 35 (Magic)

College: Tulane (junior)

1st year salary: $1.05 million

Rookie stats: 1.5 ppg, 33.3% FG, 10 games, 4.4 mpg

Frazier, drafted on raw potential, spent most of his rookie year playing for the Lakeland Magic in the G League, where he averaged 12.2 points on 44.6 percent shooting.

Don't Edit

Sean Meagher

Gary Trent Jr.

Draft projection May 2018: 37

Draft selection June 2018: 37 (Kings - traded to Blazers)

College: Duke (freshman)

1st year salary: $838,464

Rookie stats: 2.7 ppg, 32% FG, 23.8% from 3, 7.4 mpg, 15 games

Gary Trent, Jr., played very little for the Trail Blazers or for the team's G League affiliate this season.

Don't Edit

Mike Mulholland

Khyri Thomas

Draft projection May 2018: 23

Draft selection June 2018: 38 (Sixers - traded to Pistons)

College: Creighton (junior)

1st year salary: $838,464

Rookie stats: 2.3 ppg, 31.9% FG, 28.6% from 3, 7.5 mpg, 26 games

Thomas played limited minutes with the Pistons, but contributed to the G League affiliate Grand Rapids Drive, where he played 10 games and averaged about 20 points per game.

Don't Edit

Jarred Vanderbilt

Draft projection May 2018: not projected

Draft selection June 2018: 41 (Magic - traded to Nuggets)

College: Kentucky (freshman)

1st year salary: $838,464

Rookie stats: 1.4 ppg, 47.4% FG, 4.1 mpg, 17 games

Vanderbilt played very little for the playoff Nuggets and because Denver does not have a dedicated G League team, played just four games in the G League, those with the Delaware team.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Mike Mulholland

Bruce Brown

Draft projection May 2018: 26

Draft selection June 2018: 42 (Pistons)

College: Miami (sophomore)

1st year salary: $838,464

Rookie stats: 4.3 ppg, 39.9% FG, 25.8% from 3, 2.5 rpg, 19.6 mpg, 74 games

Brown played meaningful minutes for the Pistons and was known as a defensive stopper and valuable rotation guy.

Don't Edit

Justin Jackson

Draft projection May 2018: 46

Draft selection June 2018: 43 (Nuggets -- traded to Magic)

College: Maryland (sophomore)

1st year salary: unknown

Rookie stats: Did not play for the Magic

Jackson, after a college career plagued by injuries, sustained an undisclosed injury while playing for the Lakeland Magic in January and was out for the season.

Don't Edit

Hamidou Diallo

Draft projection May 2018: 40

Draft selection June 2018: 45 (Nets -- traded to Thunder)

College: Kentucky (freshman)

1st year salary: $838,464

Rookie stats: 3.7 ppg, 45.5% FG, 16.7% from 3, 1.9 rpg, 10.3 mpg, 51 games

For Diallo, whose leaping ability has always been a primary draw, the highlight of his rookie year was winning the Slam Dunk contest. He was involved in some rotational minutes early for OKC, but struggled to make shots and played a few games for the team's G League affiliate. He had surgery last month to repair nagging issues with his right elbow.

Don't Edit

Sean Meagher

De'Anthony Melton

Draft projection May 2018: 27

Draft selection June 2018: 46 (Rockets)

College: USC (sophomore)

1st year salary: $949,000

Rookie stats: 5.0 ppg, 39% FG, 30.5% from 3, 2.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 19.7 mpg, 50 games

Melton was drafted by the Rockets and traded to the Suns last August. He spent some time in the G League and sustained an ankle sprain that kept him out of action for about a month. He's in a bit of limbo with new management/staff in Phoenix, which still needs a reliable point guard.

Don't Edit

Keita Bates-Diop

Draft projection May 2018: 18

Draft selection June 2018: 48 (Timberwolves)

College: Ohio State (junior)

1st year salary: $838,464

Rookie stats: 5.0 ppg, 42.3% FG, 25% from 3, 2.8 rpg, 16.8 mpg, 30 games

Bates-Diop played more after the new coaching regime was ushered into Minnesota and had some solid games down the stretch for a non-playoff contending team.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Chimezie Metu

Draft projection May 2018: 39

Draft selection June 2018: 49 (Spurs)

College: USC (junior)

1st year salary: $838,464

Rookie stats: 1.8 ppg, 32.8% FG, 1.2 rpg, 5.0 mpg, 29 games

Metu toggled between San Antonio and its G League affiliate all season. He averaged 14 points and 7.4 rebounds in the G League.

Don't Edit

Tony Carr

Draft projection May 2018: 49

Draft selection June 2018: 51 (Pelicans)

College: Penn State (sophomore)

1st year salary: unknown

Rookie stats: Did not play for the Pelicans

Carr, the guard from Penn State, signed a contract to play in Italy last July. He started on a team in Torino coached by Larry Brown, then moved to a team in Cantu, where he's playing for a better team. Both of those squads compete in Serie A, the top of the Italian leagues.

Don't Edit

Shake Milton

Draft projection May 2018: 35

Draft selection June 2018: 54 (Mavericks -- trade to Sixers)

College: SMU (junior)

1st year salary: unknown

Rookie stats: (with Philadelphia) 4.4 ppg, 39% FG, 31.8% from 3, 1.8 rpg, 13.4 mpg, 20 games

Milton was traded to the Sixers, signed a two-way contract with Philadelphia and spent much of the season playing for the Sixers' G League affiliate in Delaware. He put up good numbers there: 24.9 ppg on 48 percent shooting overall and 36.7 percent shooting from 3. Also contributed 5.3 assists per game.

Don't Edit

Ray Spalding

Draft projection May 2018: not projected

Draft selection June 2018: 56 (Sixers -- trade to Mavericks)

College: Louisville (junior)

1st year salary: $184,746 with Phoenix, $838,464 with Dallas

Rookie stats: (With Phoenix) 4.2 ppg, 53.2% FG, 3.7 rpg, 11.3 mpg, 13 games

Spalding started the season with the Mavericks organization and played much of the year for the Texas Legends in the G League, where he averaged 15.9 points and 9.4 rebounds in 29 games. He was waived in January by the Mavericks, signed a 10-day contract with the Suns in February and eventually signed a partially-guaranteed 2-year deal with Phoenix.

Don't Edit

Kostas Antetokounmpo

Draft projection May 2018: 56

Draft selection June 2018: 60 (Sixers -- traded to Mavericks)

College: Dayton (freshman)

1st year salary: unknown

Rookie stats: played two games for Dallas

Kostas Antetokounmpo, the younger brother of NBA superstar Giannis, spent most of the season playing for the Texas Legends in the G League. He played 40 games there, averaged 10.6 points on 52 percent shooting (.244 from 3). He also grabbed 6.2 boards per game.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

John Kuntz

Undrafted underclassmen

More than 30 players who decided to end their college careers and were not drafted last June. That includes names you've likely never heard of and guys you know and watched play college basketball.

Here's a sampling of what happened to some of them:

Allonzo Trier, the former Arizona guard, is the biggest success story of the group. He went undrafted, signed a two-way contract with the Knicks that was ultimately converted to a partially guaranteed 2-year deal worth $7 million -- of which he was paid about $3.4 million this season. Trier averaged 10.9 points in about 22 minutes and shot 39 percent from the 3-point line.

Others: Deng Adel signed a two-way contract with the Canton Charge, then moved on to the Raptors 905. Rawle Alkins, another Arizona product, signed a two-way deal with the Windy City Bulls. And Trevon Duval signed a two-way deal with the Bucks but was waived by the franchise in March. The Rockets picked him up off waivers, but he is ineligible for the playoffs.

Many of the undrafted former college underclassmen ultimately ended up with G League deals, some of them more lucrative two-way deals.

Don't Edit

Last season

I did this same exercise last season, and tweaked a couple things after readers made a couple suggestions. (Included each player's college team and some info about players that were not drafted.)

You can find last year's list here.