Well, it’s about time. On Wednesday the NCAA announced some major changes that present players with more flexibility and freedom. Here are the changes for now. Hopefully, it includes some monetary gain for college athletes very soon.
Hiring of Agents
The nation’s “elite” high school and college basketball recruits will be allowed to hire agents while attending high school or college. However, the agent must be certified by the NCAA. Prior to this rule, hiring an agent, insinuated one turning pro. NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver recently stated that the league is likely to change its age-eligibility rule very soon. Currently, high school prospects must be one year removed from high school to enter the NBA draft.
Undrafted Players Can Return To School
When a college player declares for the NBA Draft, he forgoes his eligibility as a student-athlete. Therefore, if the players are undrafted, they only have two options: play in the G league or ball overseas. Players now have more flexibility. According to the Associated Press, Division 1 programs must provide scholarships for players who return to school. They are able to re-enroll in school, get their degree and raise their draft stock as a college student.
The new rules seem like a step in the right direction for NBA prospects in both high school and college, but one question will remain. Will college basketball players get paid? Until this is answered, the rules will continue to be broken. Show them the money. Read some of the reaction via Twitter below.
Student-athletes have more freedom and flexibility to decide about going pro or getting a college education, and they can receive financial assistance if they leave school early and wish to return later to finish their degree. https://t.co/Ubizwm4Bkb pic.twitter.com/UBjBMZZDlh
— NCAA (@NCAA) August 8, 2018
NCAA announces that basketball players who go undrafted can go back to school, a rule that frankly should have existed since the day the NCAA began marketing the athlete-student as the “student-athlete.”
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 8, 2018
Congratulations NCAA! You’ve gotten worse ??? At least you’ve finally admitted it’s about money
— De'Aaron Fox (@swipathefox) August 8, 2018
One of the biggest things in the NCAA's new rules and guidelines? Players can return to college if they are not selected in the NBA Draft. A gamechanger for college basketball.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) August 8, 2018
