[Mr. BasketballParticipant]

“John Wall, PG, uncommitted

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.”

Problem is tho that its speculation that he wants to enter the NBA draft. maybe he is just waiting for the UNC scholarship and not trying to go to the draft…

[scg1]

I would love to see him enter the draft now and go top 3 but he is sure fire 1 next year so I don’t know which would be better.

[MATAParticipant]

well its a given if that’s the case.he already said in that slam article featuring him and stephenson that he will be in college one year then be one of the top picks in the next draft.

[TONYDABOSS77Participant]

clippers are dumb or what?
didn’t i say that on two different forums?

[Mr.Duke 1426Participant]

Are you dumb? You posted the exact rules in a post that say he is inelegble and yet you still think he is elegible? Just curious… How?

[BradfomsParticipant]

I think what he means is that if Wall had technically graduated/earned his diploma after his fourth year, but returned for a fifth year to take some more courses or to play ball or whatever, then there could be a case that he is eligible (because he would be one year removed from having graduated)…its still a stretch though, and odds are Stern won’t have any of it, the way he is…

[Mr. BasketballParticipant]

If he drops out of school now lets say. Then technically, he could use the first school he went to for the high school that is used to determine what year he graduates in. Then, since he never had to repeat a grade since he dropped out, he would have then supposedly graduated in 2008. he would then be eligible.

[Csharp3410Participant]

By the time the draft comes, he will be done and out of school by then. He might have a case and i hope he does, I want to see him in this draft.

[jojososaParticipant]

he shuld enter tha draft say he doesnt live up to his pontential n college, but its cool to c that u can beat tha nba rules some way some how

[TWolves88Participant]

Wall and Foye sound like a good one two punch to me, their styles compliment eachothers skills. Wall being a drive and dish assasin and Foye can shoot the ball all over the court,but I doubt he would give up the chance to be number 1 overall Besides the fact McHale would probably draft Wall and trade him for another 6’10 PF/C tweener ala Mayo for Love because deep down inside he sees himself. Don’t get me wrong I like Love, but I still think Big Al is a natural PF and if he really wanted to draft a big man he should have gone with Lopez. This time of year is why the Wolves are where they are at because McHale chooses players he likes rather then getting pieces that fit together. Roy for Foye was questionable, but not horrible… Mayo for Love made no sense, either get your guard or get a true center to compliment Al…. and trading Chalmers away for cash when the team was in desperate need for PG depth was unexcusable.

[Masrock]

It’s a good thing McHale is no longer in charge of the draft. That’s why my optimism is high for this one.

[Author]

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