Top prospect John Wall could have entered '09 Draft

[SuperNova854]

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.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=DraftWatch-090414

He would have been a top 5 pick

 

[seaplus]

would rather him go to the nba then see him at a school besides ncsu

 

[LC AAU]

If he can go to the NBA, go to the NBA.

 

[Mogriffjr]

i heard he said he promised his parents he'd go to school...

 

[dell71]

If he can go to the NBA, go to the NBA.

Word.

 

[dell71]

Wall has been asked about this and has indicated he has no intentions of going straight to the NBA. Although he did leave it open if he was guaranteed the #1 overall pick. He did say he made a promise to his father (who is now deceased) that he would go to college.

This guy is most likely headed to Kentucky.

There's been a lot of rumbling around here cuz Roy Williams paid him a visit a few days after the title game & supposedly UNC is his favorite school. Strangely enough though, UNC hasn't said they're officially recruiting him, yet so Kentucky is still the odds on favorite. Sorry NCSU fans.

 

[seaplus]

There's been a lot of rumbling around here cuz Roy Williams paid him a visit a few days after the title game & supposedly UNC is his favorite school. Strangely enough though, UNC hasn't said they're officially recruiting him, yet so Kentucky is still the odds on favorite. Sorry NCSU fans.

not supposedly and ncsu hasnt been in his top 3 for months so hold your sorries

 

[dell71]

not supposedly and ncsu hasnt been in his top 3 for months so hold your sorries

mad?

 

[Sportsbuck]

that's a hole they'll have to close soon if they're serious about the no high schoolers.

They are talking about making it 2 years out of high school for the new CBA.

 

[ralaw]

IMO, I think they should go the NFL route. 3 years after you graduate from HS. I think all of the HS kids and Frosh leaving early in college has hurt BOTH the NBA and NCAA.

I've never understood this argument.....how has it hurt the NBA?The argument is so cliche. To the extent of elite level talent not being there I can understand the argument for the NCAA, but never understood it for the NBA. Do people not realize most of the top players in the NBA came out of highschool? I'm sure someone will say, "fundamentals are non-extistent" in the NBA, but this isn't due to the 15-20 highschool players who actually made it in the NBA.

 

[zack54attack]

Roy Williams called him before the Final Four game against 'Nova... UNC is trying to recruit him, but I've heard his mom and Uncle wont support his decision if he goes to UNC.

 

[Bear Pand]

One year of college isn't going to do anything for him so not sure why he made that promise.

 

[SuperNova854]

Wall will most likely go to Duke or North Carolina. If he goes to NC thats an automatic ship. Wall/Ellington(if he decides to stay)/Ginyard/Davis/Thompson

With Henson off the bench

 

[Herm]

Wall has been asked about this and has indicated he has no intentions of going straight to the NBA. Although he did leave it open if he was guaranteed the #1 overall pick. He did say he made a promise to his father (who is now deceased) that he would go to college.

This guy is most likely headed to Kentucky.

I would love to see this happen , even for one yearthrash:thrash:thrash:

 

[SuperNova854]

Wall should go to USC

 

[dell71]

Wall has said "no" to UNC, likely because Lawson hasn't officially declared yet. I would expect Kansas to be kicked out of the picture too because Sherron has said he's staying.

Should be narrowing down to 4 schools this weekend which are expected to be Duke, NCST, Memphis, and Kentucky. Still all speculation but I'm thinking Kentucky and Duke are the likely candidates.

Wall hasn't said "no" to anyone, yet. The Lawson situation shouldn't have any impact other than Roy Williams might have to wait for Lawson to declare to make an official offer. It's been fairly common knowledge around these parts since they both decided to come back last season that Lawson & Ellington are both done at UNC. If either announces anything different, I will be absolutely shocked.

And you can probably just take NC State out of the running.

 

[dell71]

Lawson already tested the waters, so if he announces this afternoon at the press conference then he can't come back. I'm about 99% sure he's gone. It's Ellington that I'm not so sure about.

Heck I'll say this though, I'd rather have a Lawson back, instead of a 1 and done Wall.

I can't see them having a joint press conference if they're both not doing the same thing.

Sorry for the double-post.