NYSportsJournalism.com - NCAA Repositions Status Of Players For NBA Draft
The 2020 NBA Draft, originally planned for May 25, was re-scheduled for June 25, planned for Barclays Center, home for the Brooklyn Nets.
However, with the season on hold and public gatherings not allowed, the Draft may again be postponed and/or held virtually, as the NFL just did.
The Draft Lottery was scheduled for May 19 in Chicago, but that, too, was postponed to a date yet to be determined.
“The actual 14 lottery teams are as uncertain as most of the 16 playoff qualifiers,” according to the NBA.
And the NBA Draft Combine, scheduled for May 21-24 in Chicago, was also postponed and may be held virtually, with players in remote locations.
With all that in mind, and events still in flux, the NCAA has redefined its rules regarding the ability of men’s basketball student-athletes to withdraw from the NBA draft and retain their eligibility.
“The NCAA’s deadline for men’s basketball student-athletes to withdraw from the NBA draft and retain their eligibility will be pushed back from the current June 3 date,” Dan Gavitt, NCAA svp-basketball, said via the organization.
“This modification is being made with the health and well-being of our student-athletes in mind, along with their ability to make the most informed decisions during this uncertain time, and is based on the recent announcement by the NBA to postpone the 2020 NBA Draft Combine.”
The NBA has a list of 205 players — 163 players from colleges and other educational institutions and 42 international players — who filed as early entry candidates for the 2020 NBA Draft presented by State Farm.
Players who have applied for early entry have the right to withdraw their names from consideration for the Draft by notifying the NBA of their decision in writing ten days prior to the 2020 NBA Draft, with the date itself TBD.
According to Gavitt, “Out of respect to the NBA’s process, the decision on a new withdrawal date will be made once the league has determined a timeline for the 2020 pre-draft process.”
The NCAA said it is working in collaboration with Jim Haney, National Association of Basketball Coaches executive director, and the rest of the coaches’ leadership regarding this situation.
“The NCAA membership will ensure that any change supports a player’s decision-making process related to professional opportunities while also protecting their academic pursuits and the opportunity to play college basketball,” said Gavitt.
