John Wall is eligible for this year's NBA draft?

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[h1]Will John Wall Even Go to College?[/h1]
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by Ryne Nelson

There's been a lot of John Wall talk this year, and this here is its crescendo folks.

The nation's No. 1 prospect wasn't eligible for the McDonald's game due to a bum provision that bars fifth-year seniors for playing. He threw down thunder on The World at this weekend's Nike Hoop Summit. He even managed to indirectly cause NC State's athletic department to violate the First Amendment (more on this later). Oh, and he now might be going to the NBA in a couple months.

Check out Tom Ziller's detailed report for more of the nitty gritties. What ultimately will determine Wall's NBA eligibility is his graduating class. Can he be considered part of the Class of 2008? This article of the Collective Bargaining Agreement is what League officials will have to mull over should Wall apply for early entry into the 2009 Draft.

The player (A) is or will be at least 19 years of age during the calendar year in which the Draft is held, and (B) with respect to a player who is not an international player (defined below), at least one (1) NBA Season has elapsed since the player's graduation from high school (or, if the player did not graduate from high school, since the graduation of the class with which the player would have graduated had he graduated from high school);

If the goal of the one-year out of high school provision is to better prepare players, I'd bet on the League declining Wall's application… and then quickly working to make it two years out of high school/20-year-old age minimum.

From Slamonline.com

CHAD FORD UPDATE ON JOHN WALL PART 2:


John Wall, PG, uncommitted
Pegged as a Derrick Rose clone and a potential No. 1 pick in the 2010 NBA draft, Wall was terrific against the World Team. He showed off his amazing speed, toughness and ridiculous leaping ability on his way to 13 points and 11 assists. While it's clear he needs to work on his jump shot and decision-making in the half-court game, he did about everything he could to get GMs drooling.

After the game a few scouts mentioned to me that they believe Wall is hesitating to commit to a school because he believes he could be eligible for this year's draft. They might be on to something.

Wall is technically in his fifth year of high school -- he had four years of eligibility at a regular high school and played at the Word of God prep school in North Carolina this year. The McDonald's All-American game ruled him ineligible to play because he was a fifth-year senior.

The NBA collective bargaining agreement says an American player is eligible for the draft if:

"The player is or will be at least 19 years of age during the calendar year in which the Draft is held, and with respect to a player who is not an international player, at least one NBA Season has elapsed since the player's graduation from high school (or, if the player did not graduate from high school, since the graduation of the class with which the player would have graduated had he graduated from high school)" -- Article X, Section 1(b)(i).

Wall will turn 19 in September, so he's clear there. The question is: When did Wall's class graduate? If he's truly a fifth-year senior, then it was last year, making him eligible for the 2009 draft.

Since this is a gray area in the NBA CBA, I asked for a comment from the league on Wall's eligibility. The NBA's Tim Frank responded with this:

"Don't have an opinion yet … if he applies, we will then do our due diligence to determine his eligibility."

I spoke with a number of NBA executives who believe, given the facts, that Wall would be eligible for the draft. However, several others disagree.

It will be interesting to see whether Wall applies and forces the NBA's hand. If he is eligible, scouts say he would likely be a high lottery pick, probably somewhere in the 3 to 5 range. And if he goes to college, he has a great chance to be the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft.

 

[craftsy21]

Yeah i mean... if he's ineligible for the AA game, it sounds to me like that makes him completely eligible for the NBA draft. interesting..

 

[nkeair]

how do you fail the tenth grade

 

[nublee]

If he does declare for the draft, I'm hoping that Stern comes through once more and give the Knicks the first pick

 

[elpablo21]

Dude is a beast....I still want to see him in a college uniform next year though

 

[beallsfinest]

I still think he should go to school for a year...he's not ready to play the point in the NBA. The draft will be weak next year just like this one.

Either way, he's a top 1-3 pick whenever he declares. He's going to be a monster.

 

[long beach vincey]

I'm on the bandwagon

Can't wait for college or the pros.

 

[tmukg21]

Originally Posted by Long Beach Vincey

I'm on the bandwagon

Can't wait for college or the pros.

His youtube joints are insane,

Just quickly thinking over all the PGs in the league now, he'll come off the bench anyway ,why go to college

 

[rapsteady1]

regardless of skill, its a FREE education. Go to college young man, who knows how far you'll go in life when you struggle to get out of high school.

 

[birdsiview]

Warriors need a PG

 

[long beach vincey]

Every year it just gets crazier with Youtube and HS prospects.. Mayo then Jennings now Wall

Imagine if Wall, Rubio, Jennings, Lawson, Flynn, Teague, Maynor, Mills are all in the draft

 

[aintfresh]

chris paul versus john wall=paul wall. sorry stoneface me.

 

[exile on ivy st]

Not a Derrick Rose clone IMO. His athletic skill set is similar but I still think Rose is on another level . .

 

[dl2352]

Maybe Wall will fall to the Warriors

... We don't have any point guards.

 

[beallsfinest]

I think he does compare somewhat favorably with when Rose was coming out. Similar offensive skill sets (both needed work on the J) except Rose had a slightlybetter off. IQ and decision-maker. Defensively, Wall creates a lot of havoc, getting into passing lanes and blocking shots. I've never thought Rose wasmuch of a defensive difference-maker.

Athletically, both got the wow factor. Rose got the strength, but I think Wall might actually be quicker, faster.

 

[mayhemmonkey000]

Originally Posted by Rapsteady1

regardless of skill, its a FREE education. Go to college young man, who knows how far you'll go in life when you struggle to get out of high school.

It's not like he's gonna come out with a degree if he does go.

PGs still need to go to college, but he's so damn filthy and it's such a weak draft.

 

[Arthur Shelby]

Originally Posted by Exile On Ivy St

Not a Derrick Rose clone

His game compare more to D. wade to me. A big part of Rose game is his strength.

 

[acidicality]

Originally Posted by DL2352

Maybe Wall will fall to the Warriors

... We don't have any point guards.

 

[cj003]

warriors fans we need to start a collection to get this man the best lawyer to get him in the draft. a a tall pg to have next to monta ellis! omg!

 

[dmbrhs]

The gray area lies in what year they determine to be the one that "would have been" his graduating year. You could easily make the legal argumentthat his graduation year "would have been" 2009 considering he established a new graduation year that by failing earlier on.

 

[julian wright]

Hornets should try to trade down for him. Paul Wall combo

 

[dontsteponmyshoes]

Originally Posted by Rapsteady1

regardless of skill, its a FREE education. Go to college young man, who knows how far you'll go in life when you struggle to get out of high school.

dude just went through 13 years of free education, he wants to get paid, and I for one dont blame him.

 

[cj003]

hommie would go to one semester of college, then drop out and train for the draft. i sure he will learn absolutely NOTHING. not hating on him but its thetruth. he should just go to the league if he has a chance

 

[rapsteady1]

Originally Posted by DontStepOnMyShoes

Originally Posted by Rapsteady1

regardless of skill, its a FREE education. Go to college young man, who knows how far you'll go in life when you struggle to get out of high school.

dude just went through 13 years of free education, he wants to get paid, and I for one dont blame him.

and say he breaks his knee..? or ends up like a clone of kwame brown, Olowokandi (?), or a smush parker.. then what do you have?

 

[swyftdahoe]

Not sure how prep school works. Did he get a hs diploma and graduate then attend this 5th year at a prep school? If he did, then yeah, I'd say he might beeligible.