How to Declare for the NBA Draft

Entering the NBA Draft is a dream for many aspiring basketball players, but the journey to professional stardom has evolved over the years.

With the increasing popularity of sports betting, fans can even bet online on which prospects will be selected in the draft.

Let’s take a look at how things changed.

How to Declare for the NBA Draft

NBA prospects were once eligible to enter the draft right after receiving their high school diplomas.

LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Garnett are among the best players to go straight to the pros just days after walking that stage.

(2003) LeBron threw down these THREE dunks within just over a minute’s time in high school.

Insane… 👑 pic.twitter.com/JRX5Jrepra

— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) August 15, 2023

However, the NBA implemented a rule change in their 2005 collective bargaining agreement to raise the minimum age to enter the draft to 19. They can be 18 at the time they’re drafted, but they must be turning 19 before the end of the calendar year in which they were drafted. This means they must play for a college, international, or NBA G League team for at least one year after graduating high school.

If a player wants to enter the NBA before exhausting their collegiate eligibility, they must officially declare for the draft. This involves writing a letter to the NBA commissioner at least 60 days before the draft, a process known as the early entry declaration. If they completed four years of college, they are automatically eligible for the draft with no additional paperwork needed.

The letter must contain their name, a statement that they meet the eligibility requirements, and a request for a Draft Entry application form.

The NBA then sends the potential draft prospect the application for them to fill out and return, as they ask for proof of age from approved documentation (ex. driver’s license or birth certificate) and high school and college information.

The NBA then publishes a list of early-entry candidates, which includes all of the draft prospects that were approved. The draft prospect may also receive a formal letter or email from the league. If the draft prospect doesn’t see their name on the list, they can contact the league’s office to inquire about the status of their application.

To further understand their NBA odds of getting drafted in the first round, the draft prospect can request an evaluation, in writing, from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee two days after the NCAA championship game.

Suppose the draft prospect has collegiate eligibility remaining and doesn’t feel good about their basketball odds of getting drafted. In that case, they can withdraw within 10 days after the conclusion of the NBA Draft combine, an event where prospects showcase their skills, athleticism, and character through various drills, scrimmages, interviews, and evaluations, helping teams make informed decisions for the upcoming draft. 

To withdraw, the draft prospect needs to write a letter to the NBA commissioner stating their intention. They’ll also need to provide a written note to their athletic director sharing their intent to resume intercollegiate participation. The compliance office will need to receive copies of both letters.

Generally speaking, most players projected to be first-round picks do not withdraw from the draft.