http://msn.espn.go.com/ncb/news/2002/0405/1363648.html This should not pass, unless the team gets to hold the rights to him after they draft him.
This would be great for the NCAA This will reduce the second round to the SENIOR ROUND because If a underclassmen is drafted 1st round with guaranteed money . . .i doubt he return but if he drafted second round. . . . and don't like the contract He'll figure he can raise his stock next year and return Rocket River will definately qwell the drafting of underclassmen
I don't see how this helps the player. I think the drafting team keeps a player's rights for some time. It would seem the rule would mainly discourage pro-teams from using a 2nd rounder on an underclassman because it would delay their eligibility to play for the drafting team. I guess it could be an advantage in some situations--the really good and deep teams might prefer to delay a contract and allows someone else to develop a risky/high potential player an additional time, but I think the main effect would be to discourage teams from using a 2nd rounder for underclassmen. Maybe the NCAA wouldn't mind this though and it could be used to persuade borderline 1st rounders to not sign with agents because of their further uncertain draft status.
Why? The NCAA and NBA are two separate entities. Its up to the NBA to decide if the team gets to keep a players rights. The NCAA has always maintained it wants a high graduation rate. This would help achieve this goal.
The NBA, as always, holds the key cards (at least I think so). The drafting team is going to keep the rights, the player won't be able to be a 1st rounder the next--or get the 1st round guarantted contract-- because you can't be drafted twice. All I think it might do is dissuade some teams that need more immediate help from taking an underclassmen in the 2nd round. But teams that can afford a risky/high payoff potential pick down the line might even like the rule because they wouldn't have to immediately pay a contract and can wait and see if they guy is even worth a contract in a year, two or three.