FAYETTEVILLE -- University of Arkansas basketball player Isaiah Joe will have several more weeks to decide whether he wants to keep his name in the NBA Draft or return to college for his junior season.
The NCAA announced Thursday that early draft entries have until either 10 days after the NBA draft scouting combine or Aug. 3 -- whichever comes first -- to withdraw from the postponed 2020 draft and retain their eligibility.
Joe, a 6-5 guard from Fort Smith who averaged 16.9 points per game last season, entered his name into the draft in April but hasn't signed with an agent.
The draft will be held Oct. 15, according to multiple news reports, after being postponed from its original date of June 25 because of the coronarivus pandemic. The draft lottery will be Aug. 25, according to reports.
No date has been announced for the rescheduled combine, which originally was supposed to be held May 21-24.
Joe will be back on campus Monday, his father Derrick confirmed, when Arkansas players are allowed to begin workouts.
Arkansas' fall semester classes are scheduled to begin Aug. 24 -- three weeks before the latest date for the draft's early-entries to withdraw.
The NCAA's new withdrawal date was set by the Division I Men's Basketball Oversight Committee. The original date for early entries to withdraw had been June 3, but that was postponed in definitely last month.
"The goal of the decision is to match the intent of the current rule, which offers players the opportunity to be evaluated by and seek feedback from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee and to participate in team workouts and the draft combine if invited," the NCAA said in a release. "The [committee] worked collaboratively with the National Association of Basketball Coaches to ensure that these changes support a player's decision-making process related to professional opportunities, while also protecting their collegiate eligibility.
"Since it is undetermined what the NBA pre-draft process and timeline may be this summer, the oversight committee believes this is the most equitable alternative available in these unprecedented circumstances."
Sports on 06/05/2020