October 2nd, 2021
The day Miles Byrd made one of the most important decisions of his life. The 4-star 6’7 guard out of Lincoln High School in Stockton, CA announced to the world on Zach “SchuZ” Shumaker’s Instagram channel that he was committing to San Diego State.
Byrd’s commitment to San Diego State over power conference schools had Aztec Nation buzzing because of his raw potential: a tall, lanky shooter with point guard skills who would be able to guard almost every matchup on the floor. A player who could develop and elevate his game into a conference player of the year type Aztec and lead SDSU deep into March.
SDSU fans could tell early on that Miles loved being an Aztec. In a visit to a game at Viejas Arena after he committed to SDSU, Miles lead the “I Believe Chant” in The Show student section.
With all of the excitement surrounding Byrd’s commitment there was also a sobering reminder: despite all of his love for SDSU, he may leave The Mesa early for the NBA draft.
Fast forward three years later—the redshirt sophomore was forced into a leadership role after senior Reese Waters sustained a foot injury and medically redshirted the 2024-2025 season. Byrd averaged 12.3 Pts, 4.4 Reb, 2.7 Ast. earning 2nd team Mountain West and All Defensive Team honors.
Byrd forever endeared himself to Aztec fans by declaring for the NBA draft without entering the transfer portal—leaving a return to SDSU still possible.
So now history repeats itself. Miles Byrd has another monumental life decision to make: go pro now and take with him all the lessons he’s learned on the Mesa along with the hopes of being drafted. Or come back to SDSU for another season—a season as a leader on a team full with top-25 potential.
The NBA Draft Combine which will take place May 11-18 in Chicago, Illinois includes Byrd among the top-75 draft prospects. Bothered by thumb and hip injuries for the back half of last season, Byrd should be fully healthy to showcase his talent for NBA teams.
Miles could elevate his draft stock by testing and performing well against other high caliber players competing for spots in the draft.
Mock Drafts
While there were players who were more productive than Byrd on their college teams last season, getting drafted into the NBA is not always a product of what you have done but what teams project you will do for their team in the future. Byrd has the size and skills that NBA teams covet.
There are 59 draft slots in the 2025 NBA draft. ESPN currently has Byrd ranked as the 49th best available draft prospect which would land him as the 19th pick in the 2nd round.
The two round NBA mock drafts are not in consensus whether Byrd will be drafted. Rookie Wire from USA Today has Byrd going to the LA Clippers with the 51st pick. Bleacher Report, NBADraft.net and NBADraftRoom.com have Byrd not being picked.
NIL Impact on 2025 Draft Class
The college game has seen an explosion in the money student athletes can make off of their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) in the past couple of years. This has caused players to stay longer in college.
Per Jonathan Givony of Draft Express, 106 early entrants to the NBA draft is the lowest total since 2015.
The impact could be further felt after the NBA Combine as players who project as late 1st round and 2nd round picks weigh their potential NBA rookie salary against income earned from NIL if they return to college.
For example, Tristen Newton from U Conn was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 49th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He signed a one year non-guaranteed two-way contract worth $578,577. Players on a two-way contract split their time between being a starter on a G-League team in front of 1,500 fans and riding the bench for their NBA club.
Compare that to college where all of the players invited to the NBA Draft Combine could make at least $1 million from NIL if they have eligibility left with many commanding much higher paydays. Mountain West player of the year Donovan Dent who was not a high NBA draft prospect transferred from New Mexico to UCLA for an estimated $3 million. In addition to money, being the “Big Man on Campus” playing in front of 12,000+ fans each night on nationally televised broadcasts is hard to pass on in favor of the relative anonymity that comes with being a NBA two-way contract player.
Several college players entered the draft while also entering the transfer portal to maximize their earning leverage. Of the top 75 players participating in the NBA Combine, 7 have college eligibility left and are in the transfer portal or have committed to a different school. Another 5 not including Byrd are projected 2nd round picks and have college eligibility left.
It is possible that Byrd could wait until the withdrawal deadline on May 28th to make a decision as players with eligibility withdraw from the draft for more lucrative college NIL deals. This could push Byrd further up draft boards solidifying a decision to remain in the draft.
What If Byrd Returns?
If Byrd returns to SDSU, the Aztecs will be favorites to win the Mountain West and have top 25 potential. Bart Torvik has the Aztecs projected as the 61st best team without Byrd and 40th best team with Byrd returning.
While projections are so hard to make this far away from the season, the bottom line is that Byrd makes the Aztecs significantly better by returning to The Mesa. The team—from my opinion—would be the deepest it has ever been in SDSU basketball history.
Byrd’s love for being an Aztec with the prospect of championships and a deep tournament run in March, while further improving his draft stock for 2026 may be enough to entice Byrd to return to college for another year.
Whatever he decides, we as Aztec fans should be happy for him and respect the decision he makes. He bleeds the black and red and will forever be an Aztec For Life.
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