NBA Draft hopefuls must pay - for now
Brandon Rush and other college basketball underclassmen who have entered the NBA Draft but not signed with agents may, with the NCAA’s blessing, accept all-expenses-paid trips to the pre-draft camp May 29-June 4 in Orlando, Fla.
Once that camp concludes, it’s up to the players to pay their own way to NBA cities for 1-on-1 workouts with teams. If anybody but the players or their family members pay for the workouts, their collegiate eligibility expires.
“Anyone who is going on flying trips for workouts is likely breaking the rules,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon told Andy Katz of ESPN. “It would take away the stress if the NBA paid for it.”
It looks as if that will will happen a year from now.
A new NCAA rule — which is expected to be implemented during the spring of 2008 — will let college underclassmen enter the draft and have NBA teams pay all expenses for 48-hour tryout sessions.
Kansas University coach Bill Self is not sure the NBA’s paying for individual workouts would be good for the game.
“Well, that does open another can of worms as far as maybe having more guys declaring for the draft,” Self said Wednesday.
“If that happens, finances will not be an issue. That might be OK. You could put a limit on the number of workouts the guys could do in a 10-day period. Maybe four workouts. That would help (the players learn their draft status) a little. I’m not sure if that would be good or not. I’ve not studied it enough.”
KU’s Brandon Rush has been briefed on what to do to make sure he breaks no rules from May 29 to June 18 — the day he must finalize his decision whether to enter the June 28 draft.
Kentucky’s Randolph Morris was suspended 14 games two seasons ago for having outside interests pay for his NBA workouts. Brandon Rush’s eligibility was in question for a time his freshman year at KU because he jetted to some NBA cities for workouts after graduating from Mt. Zion Academy.
Ultimately, it was deemed Brandon Rush’s family paid for his trips, and he was not forced to miss any games in college.
Brandon Rush has said he’ll attend and participate in all activities at the draft camp in Orlando and attend 1-on-1 workouts in NBA cities. His plan is to enter the draft if he’s assured first-round status.
KU’s Julian Wright, who has signed with agent Rob Pelinka, will attend only the Orlando camp for physical exams and testing. As a projected lottery pick, he will not compete in the games. Traditionally, top picks have nothing to gain by competing against other prospective draftees, but conceivably could fall in the eyes of scouts with poor performances.
Others who have committed to attending the Orlando draft camp, according to ESPN’s Katz: Georgia Tech freshman Javaris Crittenton, DePaul sophomore Wilson Chandler, Ohio State freshman Daequan Cook, Virginia junior Sean Singletary, Oklahoma State junior JamesOn Curry, Duke sophomore Josh McRoberts, Florida junior Taurean Green, Texas A&M junior Joseph Jones, Clemson junior James Mays, Boston College junior Sean Williams, LSU junior Glen Davis, Fresno State junior Dominic McGuire and Nevada junior guards Ramon Sessions and Marcelus Kemp.
Brandon Rush, Javaris Crittenton, Daequan Cook, Singletary, Curry, Mays, McGuire, Sessions and Kemp have not yet signed with agents.
• Traveling Jayhawks: KU’s basketball team will be eligible to take a “foreign trip” before the 2008-09 season. Self said he’s in favor of heading to someplace like Canada over Labor Day weekend 2008 to play a series of games against college teams, just as his Jayhawks did in Vancouver before the 2004-05 season.
“With a big freshman class, it would be a perfect time to do it,” said Self, who would be allowed to hold 10 practices prior to the trip.
He will be bringing in replacements for five seniors as well as replacements for any players that decide to head to the NBA after next season.
Canada remains a popular destination for teams because of its proximity to the U.S. and large amount of college teams available for games, though Self has said there has been no discussion of a locale.
• Family atmosphere: The Jayhawks gathered at Self’s house for a team meal Wednesday night as final exams week continues.
“I haven’t been around much. Cindy and I had everybody over. The semester’s about over,” Self indicated.
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