It’s some reading between the lines, but I’m feeling more confident that Gray will be back (as I had predicted, but found myself waffling). Chad Ford lists Juniors who the whispers say are staying in the draft (Insider Subs.).
We know who has declared for the draft, so NBA executives have changed their focus to a new question: Who’s actually staying in the draft?
We’re still a month away from getting definitive answers, but here is the buzz on some prominent underclassmen that declared, but to preserve their eligibility, didn’t hire agents.
He lists Josh Boone, UConn; Bobby Brown, Cal-Fullerton; Shannon Brown, Mich. St.; Quincy Douby, Rutgers (who has gone and hired an agent); Jordan Farmar, UCLA; Nick Fazekas, Nevada; Daniel Gibson, Texas; Leon Powe, Cal; Cedric Simmons, NC St.; and P.J. Tucker, Texas. Gray is no where to be found on the list.
Then there is this story about how some coaches are taking a more active role in making sure their juniors who are testing the draft waters don’t screw up with their eligibility should they choose to return.
Fox, like a number of other coaches this spring, is taking an interpretation of an NCAA rule on NBA draft workouts and is getting involved in scheduling them.
“I’m doing just about all of it,” Fox said. “I’m the one communicating with the GMs and scouts. It’s a significant amount of time every day. I owe it to Nick and I’m fortunate that he trusts me.”
The rule, NCAA Division I Bylaw 12.2.1.2, was interpreted as recently as last Thursday to clear up any misconception. The rule states that it is permissible for an institution to reserve a facility for its student athlete to work out for a team, as long as the coach is not present for the actual workout. A student’s family and other individuals can attend as long as they are not “agents or acting on behalf of agents.”
For years, underclassmen have been burned by misunderstanding the workout rules and end up sitting games the following season if they return. It happens when players don’t realize they must pay in advance for workouts at NBA facilities. The only exception is the predraft camp, which has moved from Chicago to Orlando this June, and which the NBA pays for.
To combat this possible expense-related headache, coaches such as Fox are being proactive.
Coach Dixon is going with this approach.
Fox said the NCAA has been good to work with as it explains what he can and can’t do.
“For instance, if he went to a workout, can I go? I know I can’t now. Can I go to Orlando? Yes, I can go there. But I know I can’t even watch a workout here,” Fox said. “Nick has been great and so has his family. They’ve been mature and cautious.”
Fox isn’t alone on this path.
Pitt coach Jamie Dixon has been calling around for junior center Aaron Gray, looking into the possibility of a workout in Pittsburgh for him. Gray isn’t interested in flying all over the country for workouts and isn’t keen on going to Orlando, either.
[Emphasis added.]
Hmmm.
If Gray is even a little disinterested in doing the workouts right now, it reads like he just wants another year at Pitt.
