NCAA Sets Earlier Draft Withdrawal Date

The NCAA’s Board of Directors adopted changes Thursday that will significantly impact the amount of time college basketball players have to decide whether to stay in the NBA draft.
Under the new rule, college basketball players must decide before the first day of the spring signing period, typically mid-April, to pull out of the draft and retain their college eligibility.
This year, players have until May 8 to withdraw from the draft.
“For players, I just don’t see how that helps them a whole lot,” Butler forward Matt Howard said Thursday during a shootaround at Hinkle Fieldhouse. “It almost makes it pointless to put your name out and not sign with an agent.”
The legislation wasn’t intended to help players.
Coaches wanted the earlier date so they could find replacements for those making an early jump to the NBA.