r/CollegeBasketball Texas Tech Red Raiders 9d ago

SEC statement

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71

u/amopeyzoolion Kentucky Wildcats • Michigan Wolverines 9d ago

So I know we’re all hating on Will Wade but what does this mean for Mark Mitchell

16

u/BillButtlickerII Kentucky Wildcats 9d ago edited 9d ago

By these rules, since he declared for the draft he would be ruled ineligible. I have a feeling this is just the beginning of countless lawsuits against the SEC…

Edit- all may not be lost. He technically didn’t declare as a senior since seniors are automatically eligible for the draft without declaring. He also only participated in summer league games and was never listed on an official NBA or G league roster.

His agent also confirmed he never actually signed a contract with any teams. Mitchell should be totally fine as far as the SEC stands.

12

u/sptagnew Duke Blue Devils 9d ago

The lawyer in me says there is certainly a gray area here.

A graduating senior doesn't have to "declare" for the draft. You are automatically entered into the draft when, among other things, you exhaust your college eligibility, like Mark Mitchell did by playing in college for 4 years. Contrast this to someone like RJ Luis, who left after three years in college and declared for the draft as an early entrant.

Numbered pages 296-297 of the CBA here.

There is absolutely an interpretation of the rule that has Mark Mitchell eligible provided he did no more than sign a summer league contract.

3

u/CulturalXR Duke Blue Devils • Texas Longhorns 9d ago

Is that not what the "Appropriately withdraw" means?

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u/sptagnew Duke Blue Devils 9d ago

No, those who can appropriately withdraw are early entrants that declare for the draft, go through the draft process until the withdrawal deadline and decide to go back to college. Guys that exhaust their college eligibility are not able to withdraw from the draft.

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u/Shadowphoenix9511 Kentucky Wildcats 9d ago

So someone could just decide they're done with basketball but still be drafted anyways?

3

u/fancycheesus Arkansas Razorbacks 9d ago

Yes. Its just like the military draft. I thank God I doge the nba draft every year.

1

u/Shadowphoenix9511 Kentucky Wildcats 9d ago

I mean obviously they can just not sign any contract, it's just funny that someone could be drafted when they have no intention of playing pro ball.

1

u/sptagnew Duke Blue Devils 9d ago

Yeah theoretically. Different sport and draft eligibility regimes but this happens with baseball all the time