It sometimes feel as if every Kentucky player is declaring for the NBA draft.
That will literally be true this year.
Kentucky coach John Calipari:
Met with our team today. Told them that during the season it’s about the team and sacrificing for each other – which they did this year.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
When the season’s over, it’s about each individual player and what’s right for them and their families.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
With that being said, every player who is eligible for the draft, including our walk-ons, will submit their names for the NBA Draft ...
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
... in hopes of being invited to the combine in May.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
The new rule states they can submit their name a total of three times. If they choose to withdraw, they have until 10 days after the combine
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
It's a true win-win for the student-athlete.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
Just so you know, having every kid put their name in the draft is about all players getting the right information.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
Players not invited to the combine know what that means. Players invited to the combine and told to to back to school know that that means.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
As I said, it's a win-win for the student athletes. I like the rule.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
Calipari is taking advantage of a new rule that allows players who declare for the draft to maintain their college eligibility as long as they withdraw from the draft within 10 days after the combine and don’t hire an agent.
Is Calipari going a little far and grandstanding here? You bet. But it’s also a shrewd move for multiple reasons:
1. It brings attention to Calipari and Kentucky, which should help with recruiting.
2. Kentucky players, even if they return to school, gain valuable experience and information.
3. Kentucky players who were planning to return to school at least get an opportunity to impress NBA executives who are willing to pay more than the cartel rate colleges offer athletes.
Determining whether to turn pro can be a tough decision. The NCAA – under the guise of amateurism that funnels money to administrators and coaches – bans its players from having agents. Because who would want to allow teenagers to received advisement from an experienced professional in this situation?
If I were a college player who couldn’t hire an agent, I’d want Calipari guiding me through this process.