College basketball players pursuing a path to the NBA need to make a significant declaration of their draft eligibility. Not every player who declares their draft eligibility ends up getting drafted, thus prompting this question.
Do these athletes get selected in the NBA Draft, or can they come back to play college basketball? The NCAA maintains particular guidelines that balance players’ professional aspirations with their remaining college eligibility.
Understanding NCAA Rules for Returning Players
The NCAA lets players “test the waters” by declaring for the NBA Draft without giving up their eligibility if they follow a specific set of rules.
One of the most important rules is the withdrawal deadline. Players must officially withdraw from the draft within 10 days after the NBA Draft Combine ends. For the 2025 draft, the NCAA’s deadline to remove eligibility is May 28.
During this process, players can hire NCAA-certified agents, not just any agent. These certified professionals can help players with evaluations and pre-draft workouts. But if a player wants to return to school, they must ensure the agent is NCAA-certified and that no professional contract or benefit has been accepted.
It is also worth noting that players are allowed to enter and withdraw from the draft up to two times without losing their NCAA eligibility. That gives them more flexibility as they figure out their path.
This flexibility is critical, especially for players uncertain about their draft stock. It allows them to gather feedback from NBA teams, assess their options, and make an informed decision without locking themselves into a professional career prematurely.
Implications for Undrafted Players
If a player goes undrafted, the NCAA still gives them a route back, under certain conditions. They can return only if they haven’t signed a professional contract and if any agent they worked with was NCAA-certified and is no longer representing them.
This option was created through a 2018 rule change, giving players a safety net if they don’t cut. It’s meant to support those who take a shot at the NBA but want to keep the door open to continue growing in college.
If a player is drafted, even if they don’t sign with an NBA team, they are no longer eligible to return to college basketball.
Players who are undrafted must avoid taking any professional steps, such as signing contracts or entering agreements with agents, before they officially return to school. Their ability to come back is contingent on staying entirely in the amateur realm.
Because of this, players must weigh their chances carefully before entering the draft. Declaring early can be smart, but only if they fully understand the rules and the risks.
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The NCAA’s rules allow players to explore the NBA while keeping their college options open, if they stick to the timeline and don’t sign professionally. For athletes walking that line between college stardom and pro dreams, knowing the fine print could make all the difference.
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