Entire Kentucky roster, including walk-ons, declaring for NBA draft

[Pakuni]

Probably not what the NCAA intended with the rule change, but f them.
From Calipari:

John Calipari ‏@UKCoachCalipari

With that being said, every player who is eligible for the draft, including our walk-ons, will submit their names for the NBA Draft ...
... in hopes of being invited to the combine in May.
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
It's a true win-win for the student-athlete.

[jsglow]

The system is so effed up.

And I hate Kentucky with a passion.  Almost as much as Bucky and ND, a game I absolutely won't watch.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I hope they forget to withdraw.

[mu03eng]

This is why Scoop shouldn't, but absolutely will (....death, taxes and Scoop overreactions and all) react to Luke, Haanif, JjJ, and maybe Duane declaring and seeing if they get an invite. Might as well get a free evaluation from NBA scouts as to their potential and/or what to work on.

[brewcity77]

Probably not what the NCAA intended with the rule change, but f them.
From Calipari:

John Calipari ‏@UKCoachCalipari

With that being said, every player who is eligible for the draft, including our walk-ons, will submit their names for the NBA Draft ...
... in hopes of being invited to the combine in May.
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
It's a true win-win for the student-athlete.

And this is how good things go away. The NCAA expands the option for players to assess their future, Kentucky abuses that option, the option gets taken away. I'd be surprised if this new extended declaration duration lasts with schools doing stuff like this. That the walk-ons are declaring as well is a blatant indicator that Kentucky is thumbing their nose at the NCAA.

[MomofMUltiples]

It could be a mess for the NBA  if more teams/players think like Kentucky, but ultimately declaring is only the first step.  You still need to get a combine invite (only about 60 of those), or get a team to work you out.  The NBA can just ignore anyone they have no interest in, or turn them down flat.

[Pakuni]

And this is how good things go away. The NCAA expands the option for players to assess their future, Kentucky abuses that option, the option gets taken away. I'd be surprised if this new extended declaration duration lasts with schools doing stuff like this. That the walk-ons are declaring as well is a blatant indicator that Kentucky is thumbing their nose at the NCAA.

I'm good with what Kentucky is doing, even (especially?) the thumbing their noses at the NCAA part.
This is a good opportunity for the athletes to assess their prospects. Why should they not take advantage of it?

[Nukem2]

It could be a mess for the NBA  if more teams/players think like Kentucky, but ultimately declaring is only the first step.  You still need to get a combine invite (only about 60 of those), or get a team to work you out.  The NBA can just ignore anyone they have no interest in, or turn them down flat.

Yep.  The NBA will just ignore the silly stuff.

[GooooMarquette]

Somehow, a school like Weber State is gonna pay big-time for this...just to show everyone who is in control.

[GGGG]

There are always a bunch of players who declare for the draft from small schools and jucos who do it just for the sake of it. No biggie here. Cals probably using it as a recruiting tool

[jesmu84]

And this is how good things go away. The NCAA expands the option for players to assess their future, Kentucky abuses that option, the option gets taken away. I'd be surprised if this new extended declaration duration lasts with schools doing stuff like this. That the walk-ons are declaring as well is a blatant indicator that Kentucky is thumbing their nose at the NCAA.

Do we not like NCAA nose-thumbing? https://www.facebook.com/AlMcGuiresWarriors/photos/a.528174263961728.1073741829.522393924539762/904717366307414/?type=3&theater

[warriorchick]

Dumb question: Does the "three times" include one's Senior Year?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Dumb question: Does the "three times" include one's Senior Year?

Only if they have another year of eligibility afterwards.

[wadesworld]

And this is how good things go away. The NCAA expands the option for players to assess their future, Kentucky abuses that option, the option gets taken away. I'd be surprised if this new extended declaration duration lasts with schools doing stuff like this. That the walk-ons are declaring as well is a blatant indicator that Kentucky is thumbing their nose at the NCAA.

That's exactly WHY Cal is doing this.  Cal does not benefit 1 bit from this new rule, while a lot of other schools do big time.  Call recruits guys who are hiring an agent as soon as they lose.  Other schools get the benefit of some kids being on the fence and having the ability to come back to school if they don't hear what they're looking for.  Cal wants to force a kid to make a final decision as early as possible, because most of the kids he has are going to do that anyway.

[Pakuni]

That's exactly WHY Cal is doing this.  Cal does not benefit 1 bit from this new rule, while a lot of other schools do big time.  Call recruits guys who are hiring an agent as soon as they lose.  Other schools get the benefit of some kids being on the fence and having the ability to come back to school if they don't hear what they're looking for.  Cal wants to force a kid to make a final decision as early as possible, because most of the kids he has are going to do that anyway.

But doesn't this allow kids to delay their final decision more than under the previous rules (from mid-April to late May)?
How does it force them to decide sooner? If anything, it hurts Cal because it forces him to leave scholarships open well past the spring signing period (when he's often done well) for kids who may return.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

But doesn't this allow kids to delay their final decision more than under the previous rules (from mid-April to late May)?
How does it force them to decide sooner? If anything, it hurts Cal because it forces him to leave scholarships open well past the spring signing period (when he's often done well) for kids who may return.

So you agree with wades world?

[MomofMUltiples]

It seems there are a lot of top kids who are on the Kentucky bubble or Duke bubble who wait until April to see how many scholarships are available for next year. I wonder how this new rule will affect them.

I'm a little torn about this, but I'm thinking I'd rather have Henry say he's going and hire an agent,or say right now he's staying, rather than test the waters.  He knows he's a first round, probable lottery pick.  It would be tough for the team and the fans if he strings us along.

[jesmu84]

But doesn't this allow kids to delay their final decision more than under the previous rules (from mid-April to late May)?
How does it force them to decide sooner? If anything, it hurts Cal because it forces him to leave scholarships open well past the spring signing period (when he's often done well) for kids who may return.

HW is saying Cal is doing this to force the NCAA to go back to the old rule. Because the old rule benefitted Cal.

[#UnleashSean]

That's exactly WHY Cal is doing this.  Cal does not benefit 1 bit from this new rule, while a lot of other schools do big time.  Call recruits guys who are hiring an agent as soon as they lose.  Other schools get the benefit of some kids being on the fence and having the ability to come back to school if they don't hear what they're looking for.  Cal wants to force a kid to make a final decision as early as possible, because most of the kids he has are going to do that anyway.

But this rule does the opposite of that. Take off your tin foil hat.

This is perfectly fine and every team should do it. This is what the rule is made for. To see your pro chances.

Nvm, read it wrong.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Probably not what the NCAA intended with the rule change, but f them.
From Calipari:

John Calipari ‏@UKCoachCalipari

With that being said, every player who is eligible for the draft, including our walk-ons, will submit their names for the NBA Draft ...
... in hopes of being invited to the combine in May.
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
It's a true win-win for the student-athlete.

It's not an NCAA decision per se, it is driven by the NBA in reality.  The NCAA is stuck no matter what on this.

[ChicosBailBonds]

The system is so effed up.

And I hate Kentucky with a passion.  Almost as much as Bucky and ND, a game I absolutely won't watch.

Which is why it was so great to see IU beat them, heenay?

[MU82]

I like the rule and I see absolutely nothing wrong with what the Kentucky kids are doing.

Most of them won't get invited to the combine, making their candidacy moot.

The real pro prospects will benefit from this rule, and I like just about any rule that gives the kids a little power.

The system is skewed toward the rich and powerful, but every time the kids get even a little advantage -- for example, this new rule (which actually is just returning to the rule of about a decade ago) or the graduate transfer rule -- the rich and powerful cry like babies that it isn't "fair" and must be changed.

[Marcus92]

I think Cal is basically making a point to recruits:

If you've got the talent, Kentucky is just fine with you coming to play for a single year. We actually encourage it. As a coach, I'm there at the draft with my players and celebrate their NBA success. If an NBA career is your goal, you'll find no better place to pursue it than Kentucky.

From the NBA's perspective, not sure it means anything. It's legal paperwork related to NCAA eligibility. Doesn't mean NBA teams have to scout more players or that the combine will be expanded.

[Tugg Speedman]

Why doesn't the NCAA make every player in the country eligible.

They invite 60.  If you get invited, they are telling you something.  If you are not invited, they are also telling you something.

Then both groups (those invited and those that are not) know where they stand and can prepare for the next stage of their life.

Some will start taking French classes.  Others might go to the library and start studying.

[MU82]

Why doesn't the NBA make every player in the country eligible.

They invite 60.  If you get invited, they are telling you something.  If you are not invited, they are also telling you something.

Then both groups (those invited and those that are not) know where they stand and can prepare for the next stage of their life.

Some will start taking French classes.  Other might go to the library and start studying.

I'm quite sure you don't have to be invited to the combine to be able to use this new rule. The combine just helps define the "date of no return" by which an athlete must declare his intentions.