New NBA draft process helpful for underclassmen

CHICAGO — NCAA rules allowing players to test the NBA draft process and return to school has offered benefits and advice to athletes weighing their professional options.

College players can compete in private workouts and at the NBA scouting combine and still return to campus, provided they don't sign with an agent and do so by May 25. Iowa shooting guard Peter Jok, who was not invited to the combine, has taken advantage of the process with private workouts lined up. He has not made a final decision about his future.

Several players did participate in the scouting combine including Maryland sophomore Melo Trimble. Entering last season, Trimble was considered one of the nation's top point guards. He slumped during Big Ten play, which left him with an uncertain future.

'Going through these workouts are really going to help people like myself increase their stock in the draft and impress the coaches,' Trimble said. 'I didn't really have the second half of the season that I wanted. Coaches want to see me in these workouts and see what I can do.'

The season had an opposite effect on Indiana junior forward Troy Williams, whose stock surged as the Hoosiers became regular-season champions. Like Trimble, Williams has yet to make a decision whether he'll continue with the draft process or return to school next fall.

'It's just really great,' Williams said. 'I'm able to learn a lot information, more than what I learned last year.'

Former North Carolina point guard Marcus Paige didn't have the option when he was a second-team All-American as a sophomore. Until this year, players annually had until April 15 to declare for the draft or return to school. It was a rigid system that forced young athletes to make sometimes rash decisions after emotional season-ending games in the NCAA tournament.

'I definitely would have after my sophomore year,' said Paige, who played high school basketball at Linn-Mar. 'I think it's great. It might not be great for college coaches because it gives a lot of uncertainty, but it's awesome for players. Anytime you get feedback to make a smart decision, I don't know why you wouldn't take advantage of it.

'It gives them a chance to get some genuine feedback so they're not misguided by the wrong people because once you sign, once you commit, there's no more college for you. Anytime you can get more information to make an informed decision it helps.'

Likewise former Iowa forward Jarrod Uthoff also would have gone through the process earlier in his career.

'It's something I would have loved to do,' Uthoff said. 'I think it's very beneficial for the young guys. Just getting the experience of coming out here and playing against these guys, there's nothing like it. You're playing against the top 60 prospects in the world. It's a great experience, and I'm glad I get the benefit of doing it.'

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