NBA hopefuls can learn much by testing early entry

Sporting News, The, May 21, 2001 by Mike DeCourcy

At last count, there were 32 noteworthy Division I players on the NBA's early-entry draft list. There were another seven from high school and junior college. There are but 28 spots in the draft's first round. Factoring in seniors and foreign prospects, there appears to be a severe math problem for many underclassmen dreaming of the three-year guaranteed contract assured to first-round selections.

But it's important to remember many of the early entrants are likely to subtract themselves from the process and return for another year of college. Six higher-profile players withdrew last year, and roughly half of those who have declared their draft entry this year have retained the option of re-entering NCAA basketball by declining to sign with an agent.

Some entered primarily for the experience, although the league won't take any player seriously who admits to doing this casually. DePaul's Bobby Simmons, Southern California's Sam Clancy and Kentucky's Keith Bogans are among those who have much to gain by participating in the predraft process.

"The only way they can get good information is if they test the waters," says Sonny Vaccaro of adidas basketball. "The college coach wants them to stay, and the agent wants them to go. They both have vested interests. Force the NBA to give you a real evaluation of your abilities."

By entering the draft and working out for NBA teams, underclassmen can compile a nice "cheat sheet" in preparation for their ultimate draft appearance. They are introduced to the drills pro teams employ to identify coveted basketball and athletic skills. They discover what sort of condition they need to achieve to excel.

Those fortunate enough to be invited to the NBA Pre-Draft Camp (June 5-8 in Chicago)--some early entries may be surprised to learn the league isn't interested in seeing them--get a quick but thorough introduction to the pick-and-roll play that has been the foundation for most pro offenses in recent years. They then operate and defend against that tactic through three days of high-level competition.

"Working out with the teams and getting a feel from the teams was the best experience," says Hornets center Jamaal Magloire, who entered the 1999 draft but returned for his senior year at Kentucky. "I'd encourage kids with the potential at the next level to do that. You get a feel from the coaches and the organization."

This inconveniences college teams, but it's better for Clemson, for example, to at least have a chance to retain Will Solomon, who would be tough to replace at this stage.

The one negative for a college player entering this environment is the cost. NCAA athletes cannot accept expenses for travel and lodging at the Chicago camp or private workouts.

That makes it more advantageous for a player in a major metropolitan area, such as Clancy or Omar Cook of St. John's. Clancy can visit the Los Angeles teams while at school and the Cavaliers simply by making a trip home. Cook has five teams within an easy car or train ride.

Like Clancy, Pepperdine guard Brandon Armstrong can visit the Lakers or Clippers without significant expense, if either team is interested. Armstrong averaged 22.1 points, 10th in Division I, and scored 26.2 points a game against teams that made the NCAA Tournament. But draft analyst Chris Monter does not rank him among the top10 shooting guards available for the draft.

"He wants to play in the NBA, and he's going to explore what the right time is to make that move," new Pepperdine coach Paul Westphal says. "I think that's a reasonable plan. The more experience you can gather, the more you can honestly evaluate yourself. It really can't do anything but help."

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USA Basketball could lose some prime prospects for the World University Games team and Young Men's world championship team because of early draft entry. The trials for the August events are June 1-3. The selection committee could add someone who withdraws from the draft to the finalists for either team; players with USA Basketball experience (DePaul's Bobby Simmons, Kentucky's Tayshaun Prince) would have an edge.... Texas A&M is not panicking on coach Melvin Watkins. Playing last season without four potential starters because of illness and injury, the Aggies ended 10-20 and are 30-55 in his three seasons. The administration believes in Watkins enough to have extended his contract two years, through 2004-05. There also may be progress in adjusting admissions standards for JC prospects, which has cost A&M in previous years.

Division I early entrants

School                Player                 Pos.   Year

Alabama               Gerald Wallace(*)      SF     Fr.
Arizona               Gilbert Arenas         SG     So.
                      Jason Gardner(*)       PG     So.
                      Richard Jefferson      SF     Jr.
                      Michael Wright         PF     Jr.
Arkansas              Joe Johnson(*)         G/F    So.
Austin Peay           Trenton Hassell(*)     G/F    Jr.
Ball State            Cedric Moodie          SG     Jr.
Cincinnati            Kenny Satterfield      PG     So.
Charlotte             Rodney White           PF     Fr.
Clemson               Will Solomon(*)        SG     Jr.
DePaul                Steven Hunter          C      So.
                      Bobby Simmons(*)       SF     Jr.
Georgia               D.A. Layne             SG     Jr.
George Washington     SirValiant Brown(*)    SG     So.
Indiana               Kirk Haston(*)         PF/C   Jr.
Kentucky              Keith Bogans(*)        SF     So.
                      Tayshaun Prince(*)     PF     Jr.
Michigan State        Zach Randolph          C      Fr.
                      Jason Richardson       SF     So.
NC State              Damien Wilkins(*)      SF     So.
North Carolina        Joseph Forte           PG     So.
Notre Dame            Troy Murphy            PF     Jr.
Pepperdine            Brandon Armstrong(*)   SG     Jr.
Rhode Island          Zach Marbury           SG     Jr.
Seton Hall            Samuel Dalembert       C      So.
                      Eddie Griffin          PF     Fr.
Southern California   Sam Clancy(*)          PF     Jr.
St. John's            Omar Cook(*)           PG     Fr.
Stanford              Jason Collins(*)       C      So.
Texas                 Maurice Evans(*)       G/F    Jr.
Villanova             Michael Bradley        C      Jr.

(*) Player reportedly has not signed with an agent.
D-I players who do not sign with an agent can retain their
college eligibility if they withdraw
from the June 27 draft by June 20.