Dillon Mitchell is the perfect example of a decision that now faces five just-drafted players.
Mitchell played four college seasons, most recently at St. John’s, went through the NBA draft process, and was selected by the Boston Celtics at No. 40. Now he might return to St. John’s for a fifth season. A handful of other players could follow his lead.
Recently, the NCAA introduced what is commonly called the “five for five” rule: Division I college athletes have five years to complete five seasons of playing their sport. No more red-shirt years, and it doesn’t matter if a player transfers schools.
That starts this fall, but left the class of 2022 that just graduated after four years out in the cold. Now, Colorado U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued an injunction saying the class of 2022 should qualify and get another year. The NCAA is appealing that ruling.
“Mitchell returning to St. John’s is being considered,” reports basketball insider Adam Zagoria.
This ruling and situation could apply to four other 2022 class members who were drafted but remain unsigned:
• New York’s Tyler Nickel (Vanderbilt)
• Memphis’ Richie Saunders (BYU)
• Indiana’s Braden Smith (Purdue)
• Golden State’s Lajae Jones (Florida State)
Nickel had his moments in Summer League for New York, averaging 12.2 points per game and shooting 41.3% from 3-point range. Because the Knicks are a win-now team who would rather add veterans than a rookie, they were reportedly hoping he would sign a two-way deal. Now, he could have another option.
Mitchell averaged 13 points per game for Boston in Las Vegas.
If any of these players return to college, the NBA teams that drafted them retain their rights, it would essentially be a draft-and-stash situation, something that used to be a common late second-round trick for European players.
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