NCAA rule changes may not change much
Change is coming to college basketball.
The NCAA unveiled several rule changes Wednesday in hopes of eradicating — or more realistically, reducing — the significant amount of corruption which recently has stained the sport and was exposed last year through an FBI investigation.
Among the most significant changes, stemming from the April recommendations made by the Condoleezza Rice-led commission, are the ability for “elite” high school recruits and college basketball players to be represented by agents, and for players to enter the NBA draft and then return to school with eligibility if they go undrafted.
The agents, who must be certified by the NCAA, can assist players in making informed decisions about turning pro, but can only be hired at the conclusion of a season. They can have no financial ties to the players, aside from small travel and meal expenses related to the draft. High school prospects can be represented by agents starting July 1 prior to their senior year, if they’re classified as “elite” by USA Basketball.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said last month the league is ready to allow high school players to directly enter the draft again, which could resume in 2021.
“I think the concepts are good in theory, but someone would have to explain to me why USA Basketball gets to determine who gets to have an agent. And if you’re not on the approved list and you want an agent, then are you stuck in the old days, and can be declared ineligible?” an agent of college basketball coaches told The Post. “It’s just dumb. The market would be set. Agents aren’t gonna run around and sign guys and spend money for players that they don’t think are gonna make it.”
In addition to recruitingcalendar changes and increases to the number of official visits recruits can make to schools, the NCAA has developed a form of subpoena power it previously lacked, requiring all school presidents, chancellors and athletic department members to contractually comply with all investigations. The NCAA will now also be able to use informa- tion obtained in outside investigations — such as by the FBI — to aid in its own probes. They also will hold school presidents and chancellors personally accountable for their athletic departments following the rules.
Schools found to be in violation of NCAA rules face stricter penalties, including longer postseason bans (up to five years), coach suspensions (potentially beyond one season), employment limitations, recruiting restrictions and loss of revenue from basketball. Coaches and athletics staff must now also report any income over $600 from a source outside the school, such as an apparel company.
“These changes will promote integrity in the game, strengthen accountability and prioritize the interest of student-athletes over every other factor,” NCAA president Mark Emmert said in a statement. “It’s on us to restore the integrity of college basketball and continue to improve the interests of all student-athletes. They deserve nothing less.”
They also have been deemed to deserve nothing more, such as payment, from the multi-billion dollar industry. Partly due to that, multiple coaches were skeptical the changes would have any impact on the sport’s long-established underground.
“It’s amateur hour,” one coach said. “There’s a difference between change and improving the situation. Things have changed. I’m not sure what’s improved.”