The Association has developed educational materials designed to guide those men’s basketball student-athletes with remaining eligibility who may want to pursue a professional basketball career.

In the past, some student-athletes who decide to enter the NBA draft or pursue other professional opportunities have been confused about the rules regarding activities that would not allow them to return to intercollegiate competition should those professional pursuits not work out. The new materials educate student-athletes about how to protect their eligibility and still “test the waters.”

The information notes that most student-athletes in these situations attempt to gauge their readiness for competition at the next level through a variety of methods, including tryouts with professional teams. They also tend to rely on a number of individuals, some who do not understand all of the rules, to assist in the decision-making process. But the bottom line is that a number of activities during the process can affect eligibility. 

For example, student-athletes considering a professional basketball career will lose their collegiate eligibility if:

• They agree orally or in writing to be represented by an agent or any individual acting on behalf of the agent (for example, a “runner”);

• They accept any benefits from an agent, a prospective agent or a runner;

• If they do not pay for all expenses in conjunction with a professional team tryout as they are incurred;

• If they try out with a professional team during the academic year; or

• If they enter the draft and are drafted by a professional team.

But permanent ineligibility doesn’t have to be the outcome.

“There are a number of ways for student-athletes to test the waters and still protect their eligibility,” said Steve Mallonee, NCAA managing director of membership services and Division I governance liaison. “We don’t want to see these players lose their eligibility simply because they did not understand the rules or were persuaded by someone else who did not understand the rules.”

Mallonee said student-athletes considering a professional basketball career should keep their head coach and compliance coordinator informed of all activities during the process and be selective with whom they associate. 

“Players can do it all themselves or work through their head coach,” Mallonee said. “Family members may help, too, provided they are not working with any individual who is marketing athletics ability, such as contacting NBA teams or arranging tryouts with NBA teams.”

Mallonee added that if a student-athlete doesn’t know who arranged the tryout, he has a responsibility to find out who did.

Rachel Newman Baker, who directs the NCAA’s agent, gambling and amateurism activities staff, said another resource is an NBA committee of general managers that will provide a confidential evaluation of a potential draftee’s likely draft position. Newman Baker said the NBA’s Stu Jackson oversees that committee and can be reached through his assistant, Rosie Garcia, at 212/407-8385.

“Perhaps the most important point to remember,” Newman Baker added, “is that student-athletes in these situations should remain in school and complete their academic courses while they consider their options.”

That point also is important for coaches to remember, too, since adjustments in the Academic Progress Rate forgive the retention point for student-athletes who turn pro but would have been academically eligible had they returned.

The accompanying list contains answers to frequently asked questions about the draft and other professional opportunities that will help student-athletes protect their best interests while considering their options.

Frequently asked questions

These questions and answers are designed to help men’s basketball student-athletes consider their professional basketball options without jeopardizing their remaining collegiate eligibility.

Q Am I allowed to enter the NBA draft early?

A Yes. You may enter a professional basketball league’s draft one time during your collegiate career without jeopardizing your eligibility, provided you are not drafted by any team and you declare your intention to resume intercollegiate participation within 30 days after the draft. This declaration must be in writing to your director of athletics.

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Q Am I allowed to participate in the NBA pre-draft camp in June?

A Yes. If you are invited, you may attend the pre-draft camp and accept actual and necessary expenses from the NBA to participate in the NBA pre-draft camp.

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Q Can I participate in private workouts/tryouts with NBA teams if school is still in session?

A No. You may not try out with an NBA team during the academic year if you are enrolled full time. You may try out with an NBA team during the summer.

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Q Can NBA teams pay for my private workouts/tryouts?

A No. To be able to participate in the tryout, you must pay for all expenses to attend the tryout (as they are incurred) on your own. It is not permissible for the NBA team to initially pay for the expenses for you with the condition that you would repay the NBA team after the tryout.

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Q Can any other individual (for example, an agent, runner or “advisor”) pay for my private workouts/tryouts with NBA teams?

A No. You and your family are responsible for paying all expenses associated with any NBA team tryouts as they are incurred.

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Q What is an “agent” according to NCAA rules?

A An individual would be considered an agent if the individual markets your basketball skills to any NBA team or other professional teams (for example, contact NBA teams to discuss your skills, set up tryouts with NBA teams).

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Q Am I allowed to have any type of agreement with an agent?

A No. You are not permitted to have a written or oral agreement with an agent, or anyone who is employed by or acting on behalf of an agent or sports agency (that is, a runner).

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Q What is an “oral agreement” with an agent?

A An oral agreement occurs if you verbally agree to have an agent perform any services (for example, providing any expenses related to tryouts or arranging disability insurance) on your behalf or you have knowledge that an agent is performing such services.

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Q Is an agent allowed to contact teams on my behalf to arrange private workouts or tryouts?

A No. You cannot have an agent arrange a private workout/tryout with an NBA team.

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Q Can my family members or other individuals who are associated with me as a result of playing basketball (for example, high school coach, summer basketball coach) have an agreement with an agent to perform services on my behalf?

A No. Family members and other individuals are not permitted to enter into any agreements with an agent on your behalf.

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Q Am I allowed to have an agreement with an agent if it is for future representation?

A No. You are not permitted to agree to a future representation agreement with an agent.

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Q Is an agent allowed to provide me any benefits?

A No. You, your family, or your friends are not permitted to receive any benefits from an agent.  Examples of material benefits include money, transportation, dinner, clothes, cell phones and jewelry. However, benefits may also include, but are not limited to, activities such as tryout arrangements with a professional team and coordinating tryout schedules.

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Q Am I permitted to have an advisor during this process? 

A Yes, provided the advisor does not market you to NBA teams. However, an advisor will be considered an agent if that person contacts teams on your behalf to arrange private workouts or tryouts.

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Q Can an institution cancel my athletics scholarship if I have an agreement with an agent?

A Yes. An institution is permitted to rescind your athletics scholarship if you have an agreement with an agent.

Dates to remember

Early entry date: April 29.

NBA pre-draft camp: June 6-12, Orlando, Florida.

Early entry withdrawal deadline: June 18.

2006 NBA draft: June 28.