Can you go back to college after declaring for the NBA draft? Exploring NCAA rules for undrafted players
More than 90 players revoked their draft candidacy from the 2024 NBA draft at the end of May after realizing that their chances of getting drafted were minimal. Despite the preliminaries, a handful of players didn't hear their names getting called in the 2024 draft.
Add two extra players to the list because, for the third time in a row, only 58 youngsters mark a big league entry, as the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns lost their share due to rule tempering.
Nevertheless, the question arises whether basketball players can go back to college after being undrafted in the NBA. In short, yes, undrafted basketball players can return to college, but there are certain rules to adhere to make it possible.
NCAA Rules When declaring for the NBA Draft
There are two paths a player can take to maintain their college eligibility while soaking in what the NBA offers. One of them is the early withdrawal deadline, which allows players to take their names out of the draft pool after evaluating the potential of their prospect.
Alex Karaban benefitted from the explicit rule to rejoin Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies for a chance at a three-peat. However, if a player goes undrafted in the NBA draft and wishes to return to college, they need to be in cohesion with a few NCAA rules to be eligible.
The players not falling under this category mark an end to their college tenure and become free agents:
- Have at least one year of college ability left
- The player must be invited to the NBA’s pre-draft combine
- Need to communicate their desire to come back to the college program’s athletic director by the first Monday of the draft (July 1 this year)
The new set of guidelines came out in 2019, alongside the green light for high school and college players to sign NCAA-verified agents.
Moreover, if a player is drafted but is unsatisfied with their value, they cannot return to college to bolster their stock.
Impact of NBA Draft Declaration on College Athletes
The option to declare for the NBA draft gives college basketball players an option to get a taste of their worth, role and potential future by turning pro. They get ideas on what their talent offers them in terms of teams, monetary benefits and the chances of getting drafted.
These can help young players make a better choice for their future, improve their skills, increase their stock and make the most of their collegiate years. Mark Sears of the Alabama Crimson Tide withdrew from the draft this year to alleviate his stock and benefit from his NIL deals with an additional college year.
However, the NBA combine rule can be limiting for some players, as only a handful of draft prospects get the invite from the league. That can restrict up-and-coming college players or the ones off the scouting radar to test their mettle with the same ease.