How to Declare for the NBA Draft

Every year, hundreds of young men declare for the NBA draft. But before they can do that, they must first understand the process and what it takes to be eligible. This blog post will help you understand how to declare for the NBA draft.

Introduction

If you’re an NCAA basketball player considering declaring for the NBA draft, there are a few things you should know. The first is that you must be at least 19 years old and one year removed from your high school graduating class in order to be eligible. Second, if you declare for the draft but don’t sign with an agent, you have until 10 days after the draft combine to withdraw your name and return to school.

Here are the steps you need to take to declare for the NBA draft:

1. Get feedback from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee
2. Submit your application to the NBA office
3. Attend the NBA draft combine (optional)
4. Withdraw your name from the draft by the applicable deadline if you do not sign with an agent

Eligibility

Age

In order to be eligible for the NBA draft, you must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft and you must have also finished your high school eligibility. If you turn 19 before May 1, then you are automatically eligible for that year’s draft. If you turn 19 on or after May 1, then you are not automatically eligible and must declare yourself eligible by notifying the NBA office in writing no later than 60 days before the draft.

Education

To be eligible for the NBA draft, you must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft and at least one year removed from the graduation of your high school class.

In other words, if you finished high school in 2020, you would not be eligible for the 2021 NBA draft but could enter your name into the 2022 NBA draft.

If you’re not sure when you’re eligible for the NBA draft, check out the NBA’s Early Entry Eligibility page.

One-year removal from high school

Players who are one year removed from high school are eligible for the NBA draft. In order to declare for the draft, players must notify the NBA office in writing no later than 60 days before the draft. Players who are not selected in the draft are automatically eligible for consideration in the next year’s draft.

Early Entry

Application

An early entrant is any player who submits an application to the NBA stating their intention to withdraw from college eligibility and enter the NBA draft. The deadline for underclassmen to declare is 60 days before the draft.

To declare for the draft, an early entrant must:
-Be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft.
-Have finished high school for at least one year.
-NOT be enrolled in college, whether or not he has attended classes during that year.

Withdrawal

You can declare for the draft and then withdraw your name as long as you do so before the withdrawal deadline, which is typically 10 days after the end of the NBA Draft Combine. If you declare for the draft but aren’t selected in the draft, you become an undrafted free agent and can sign with any NBA team that wants to give you a contract.

Declaration

Timing

The most important factor in deciding when to declare for the NBA Draft is whether or not you are projected to be drafted in the first round. If you are not projected to be a first-round pick, you are probably better off returning to school and developing your game for another year. The reason for this is that second-round picks do not receive guaranteed contracts, which means they could end up being cut from the team at any point during training camp or the regular season. First-round picks, on the other hand, receive guaranteed two-year contracts.

Another factor to consider is your age. If you are younger than 20 years old, you are automatically eligible for the NBA Draft. However, if you are 20 years old or older, you must declare for the draft within 60 days of the start of the NBA’s pre-draft camp.

Process

The process of declaring for the NBA draft is relatively simple. Players must be at least 19 years old and one year removed from their high school graduation class in order to be eligible.

Players who are not automatically eligible for the draft can declare by submitting a letter of intent to the NBA office no later than 60 days before the draft.

The league office will then send a confirmation letter to the player and their agent, outlining the next steps in the process.

Once a player has declared for the draft, they cannot rescind their decision and return to college basketball.

Conclusion

Now that you know the ins and outs of declaring for the NBA Draft, it’s time to make your decision.

There’s a lot to consider, from your current skill level to your future goals. But as long as you do your research and make an informed decision, you’ll be on your way to fulfilling your NBA dreams.