John Wall to the NBA

With rumors swirling that high school phenom John Wall would declare for the NBA Draft, as opposed to playing in college for at least one year or following the path of Brandon Jennings in Europe, I decided to determine whether he is draft eligible.

The answer regarding Wall's NBA eligibility is not so clear. The relevant provision is NBA CBA Article X, Section 1(b). To be eligible for the NBA Draft, must satisfy all requirements of Section 1(b)(i) and one of the requirements in 1(b)(ii). Section 1(b)(i) requires the player be at least 19 years of age during the calendar year of the draft, and if he is not an international player, at least one NBA season must elapse after 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. Section 1(b)(ii) includes a laundry list of possibilities that seem to be entirely encompassed within the Section 1(b)(i) requirements. Additionally, Wall would potentially qualify under Section 1(b)(ii)(F), if he merely expresses his desire to be selected in the draft in a writing received by the NBA at 60 days before the draft.

The gray area results from the language of Section 1(b)(i). Wall will turn 19 this September so he satisfies the requirement in Section 1(b)(i)(A). However, Wall is a "5th year senior." Apparently, Wall transferred during his third year of high school to Word of God in Raleigh, NC, where he was "reclassified as a sophomore." So now, there is the argument that Wall was in the High School Class of 2008, not 2009.

Section 1(b)(i)(B) contemplates two possibilities: that a player graduated from high school or that he did not graduate from high school. The first possibility is that one year has elapsed from the player's high school graduation. This possibility is more clear cut. If John Wall did not graduate last year he simply does not meet this threshold. I assume he did not receive a diploma and continue at Word of God for another year. So, the second possibility contemplates a player who did not graduate from high school. Quite simply, Wall would have to drop out to even be considered under this possibility. This possibility further requires that one year elapses from the year the player would have graduated from high school. Obviously, this possibility is vague. If Wall "would have" graduated from high school that could be 2008 or 2009 (or 2010. . .). However, looking at this possibility as of today, the appropriate year is 2009. As of today, if Wall would have graduated from high school it would be this year. We are certain that he would not have graduated in 2008; he did not and he continued his high school education. I believe this is the correct interpretation of some gray language and likely how the NBA would rule. Of course, in a somewhat similar context, the NFL counts a year at a prep school or military graduation after high school graduation as a year toward its three year waiting period (I believe Larry Fitzgerald was the first player to use this loophole and it was speculated it was allowed merely because the NFL thought Fitzgerald was ready).

Fortunately, Wall has answered the question himself, he is not planning to enter the NBA Draft. Of course, Wall has only answered this question as it applies to himself, and in another year, the NBA may see Maurice Clarett-type litigation.