Recently, the NBA announced they are delaying the NBA Draft Combine along with the NBA Draft Lottery. While this was expected, it will have a very large effect on college hoops.
With the postponing of these events, the NCAA has extended the deadline for early entrants to remove their name from the draft from the original date of June 3rd. This is a very critical deadline for bubble teams and mid-majors looking to make the big dance next season.
The lack of ability to work out in front of teams will change the mind of many collegiate athletes this summer. Many players will either go into the draft without working out for a single team, while others will return to school and hope to increase their stock.
This shouldn’t affect players like Obi Toppin and Precious Achiuwa much as they are projected lottery picks. But other players such as Arkansas’ Isaiah Joe or Baylor’s MaCio Teague will be hit much harder.
In a normal year, players are able to improve their craft even more during the summer months and try to impress NBA coaches and scouts at the combine as well as in house workouts.
This year, that may not be the case. With all the uncertainty surrounding the NBA draft and sports as a whole, most players won’t get that opportunity. Those players who return to the college game will have a big impact on how the 2020-21 season plays out should it happen.
Take a look at the aforementioned MaCio Teague.
Teague was a standout player for Baylor this season, earning 2nd team All-Big XII honors. If Teague were to stay in the draft, he would most likely be a second-round pick or go undrafted, and would then most likely have to sit or play in the G-League for his first season or longer.
If he returns to Baylor, he has to chance to raise his stock and make Baylor a national title threat.
This decision is facing many athletes, as over 200 players have declared as early entrants for the NBA draft. It will affect the face of college and professional basketball for this season and potentially years to come.
Photo Credit: Ray Carlin / USA Today Sports
