The NCAA recently announced that winter sport senior athletes will not get another year of eligibility back. This is a gut-wrenching punch for seniors who put in the blood, sweat, and tears to get to this point. It’s a painful feeling as the ball stops bouncing for many of these players, but for some, their journey is just beginning.

Over the past week or so, quite a few players have declared for the draft including: Arizona State’s Remy Martin, Minnesota’s Marcus Carr, Colorado’s Tyler Bey, and Mississippi State’s Reggie Perry.

What’s been on my mind a lot lately is the logistics of the NBA Draft. If the season is delayed, will the draft also be? Players can often make a name for themselves in the postseason like P.J. Tucker or Fred VanVleet. Without seeing playoff performances, teams may not be equipped with their final personnel decisions. For example, a team may draft a center, and then in the playoffs their current center plays well, but it’s too late to resign him. If prospects are aware that the Draft is pushed back, how many players would declare knowing they would get a chance for combine like events and in-person workouts?

Could we potentially see a draft streamed online where prospects and teams are video conferenced in from home? Can you imagine if someone’s internet goes out right before their pick or during a conversation with a team? Perhaps the more imminent NFL draft could answer many of these questions. With the NBA usually gearing up for the postseason soon, they are in such a unique spot as their most notable games may be cut or reduced.

While the future of the NBA Draft has many questions, the Adam Silver and the NBA have displayed phenomenal leadership thus far, and I would look for that to continue. While the solution may be unprecedented, I have no doubts that all concerns will be evaluated and the best solution will be reached.

As we are in such unprecedented times, it seems like the NBA has begun to brainstorm courses of action for the upcoming NBA Draft. With coronavirus likely cancelling any chance of in-person workouts or interviews, what should teams do? Teams are really going to have to rely on the scouting work that they have done up to this point, as critical games within March Madness were never played. With coronavirus likely cancelling any chance of in-person workouts or interviews, what should teams do?

Coronavirus has likely canceled any in-person contact, so what does that mean? That means players will have no chance to gain exposure through outside events, draft workouts, in-person interviews, or the NBA Combine. These are critical junctures for players to showcase their unique abilities. This leaves many players with more uncertain futures. It is projected that many fringe second round players will remain in school for another year possibly creating a better college game for years to come. There could also be a handful of players who initially see a larger number of players than usual staying in college, and use that as a reason to go pro with a higher chance of being drafted.

Some players who have recently declared for the NBA Draft include Florida State’s Devin Vassell, Duke’s Tre Jones, and potential number one overall pick from Georgia, Anthony Edwards. Vassell has seen a wide range on his projects from lottery to second round. He has been trending in the right direction, so without any more exposure to the prospects, I believe he will chosen around the lottery.

It is disappointing that many players never had the biggest stage to show what they’re capable of. Malachi Richardson from Syracuse shot up draft boards when he propelled the Orange to the Final Four. Most recently, Donte DiVincenzo made himself into a first round pick after being named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four after a barrage of threes, dunks, and blocks that showcased his athleticism and perimeter play.

Each year it seems like experience wins in college basketball yet these elderly statesmen are usually looked lesser upon because of “less upside”. It is presumed that because they are older, it would be less likely to develop them to a higher ceiling because they are already closer to their ceiling.

Michigan State’s Cassius Winston thought about entering the NBA Draft last year but remained at Michigan State making them a title favorite for this year. He also made himself a projected fringe first-round pick. Winston is extremely competitive and a great leader. He has solid court vision and a knack for finding teammates in the right spots. He doesn’t have the purest shooting form, but has shot the ball extremely well from three and the free-throw line throughout his career. Like many Senior players, there are concerns how much better he can get from here as well as concerns about his smaller stature. He doesn’t wow with athleticism as he doesn’t seem to be a fast-twitch athlete.

While Malachi Flynn is a true senior academically, he is a redshirt junior when it comes to eligibility. The point guard from San Diego State has been the best player on an undefeated team. It’s remarkable what this San Diego State team has been able to accomplish and it speaks to what Flynn can do. Flynn is averaging 16.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. Flynn has played extremely well in clutch moments this year showing his confidence and ability to knock down big shots, including many deep threes. He has been a catalyst behind an extremely efficient offense as he is tremendous operating out of the pick and roll. He is well balanced finding his teammates as well as finishing with an array of shots and floaters. I’m excited to see what he can do when it comes to the NCAA Tournament.

 So much mystery surrounds this NBA Draft. James Wiseman left Memphis, LaMelo Ball is done playing in Australia, and there have been numerous injuries to some bigger name players.

This leaves people thinking who can be a difference maker. There aren’t many can’t-miss prospects. All of this means that some players may see a weaker draft and believe they have a better chance of being chosen. I would look to see more fringe first-rounders or fringe second-rounders declare than usual. All the more power to them as it would be more money upfront, but can some of these potential first rounders even make a roster spot for opening day next year? For some players who in a stronger draft wouldn’t declare the higher level of competition and advanced training would be a good thing, while for other players it may hurt their career in the long run. They may not recover from the lack of playing time or adjustment to NBA play and wash out rather quickly as opposed to improving their game through being a more dominant player in the college game. To take it a step further, many players who may be eligible after playing prep school one year removed from graduating high school may feel better about their chances of being drafted similar to a Jalen Lecque situation.  

Some examples of college players who may be in this position include Aaron Henry of Michigan State, Landers Nolley of Virginia Tech, and Ayo Dosunmu of Illinois.

At this point, it seems Anthony Edwards of UGA has the highest chance of being the number one pick, but that’s due to so much uncertainty regarding the other top prospects. Last year it was Zion, who many would consider to be a generational talent while Ja Morant was presumed to go number two. The year before DeAndre Ayton went number one, but several other impact players and arguably generational talents were taken behind him in Luka Doncic and Trae Young.

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