To have a chance of joining the NBA, being highly skilled in basketball is advantageous, among other factors.
When it comes to the NBA draft, possessing basketball skills is not a prerequisite.
Currently, there exists a group of 18 individuals who are officially recognized as “draft eligible” for the upcoming event at Barclays Center in New York. However, they share one common trait: none of them will be selected in the draft. These individuals are placed on the NBA’s B List, referred to as “unknown individuals” in official terms. The only requirement for them is to complete the necessary paperwork to enter the draft, allowing even those without genuine basketball ability to participate.
This phenomenon is not new and has been ongoing for almost 50 years. Some individuals engage in this practice to garner attention, while others prefer to remain unnoticed. While it may be seen as a gimmick, the rules are straightforward: as long as someone meets the general criteria outlined by the NBA, they can become “eligible” for the draft.
One of the 18 names on this year’s list is Jordan Haber, a law student from Florida. He has shared several TikTok videos explaining how he managed to enter this year’s draft. He has mentioned his presence at Barclays Center on Thursday night for the draft, having secured tickets from the arena’s social media team rather than receiving an invitation from the NBA.
The eligibility criteria for entering the NBA draft are relatively straightforward, outlined in Article X, Section 1 of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) until July 1. It is anticipated that the rule will remain largely unchanged.
To be eligible, a player must meet the following requirements: they must turn at least 19 years old during the calendar year in which the draft takes place, and at least one NBA season must have passed since their high school graduation (or the anticipated graduation date). Additionally, an individual interested in entering the draft needs to notify the NBA of their intent at least two months prior to the draft, be willing to forgo any remaining college eligibility if applicable, and complete the necessary paperwork.
There are additional regulations, particularly regarding international players, but the aforementioned criteria encapsulate the basic requirements for draft eligibility.
No, this process is not a loophole in the system. It is a well-established avenue that has been in place for years. The B List, which allows individuals with minimal basketball experience to enter the NBA draft, provides an opportunity for long-shot hopefuls to test their chances of making it to the NBA. It is not intended to exploit any loopholes but rather serves as a platform for those who may have unconventional motivations or aspirations.
The first known applicant to utilize this avenue was Reinhard Schmuck, a player who had only participated in nine games during one season at Baruch College, a Division III school. When he applied for the NBA draft two years later, he mentioned that his intention was to raise awareness for Baruch’s athletic programs, as reported by The Washington Post in 1987. Schmuck expressed that he pursued this opportunity to support young individuals who may have given up on their dreams.
While there is no official count available, it is estimated that hundreds of individuals have taken advantage of this avenue. In 1993, author Jeff Pearlman applied while he was a student at Delaware. In a later article for Sports Illustrated, Pearlman revealed that he received a call from the NBA stating that they had not heard of him. Another example is Zachary Feinstein, a student from Washington University in St. Louis, who made an attempt to enter the NBA draft in 2008. Despite openly admitting that he did not play basketball, he still managed to secure a place in the draft.