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NCAA outlines requirements for agents repping college NBA hopefuls
LOS ANGELES, Aug 7, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The NCAA has issued stringent
certification requirements for agents wishing to represent US collegiate
basketball players who want to test the NBA draft waters.
The governing body of US collegiate sport issued a memo to agents on
Monday, and posted the certification requirements on its website on Tuesday.
The requirement for a bachelor’s degree saw the criteria quickly dubbed the
“Rich Paul Rule” — a reference to the agent of NBA superstar LeBron James,
who doesn’t have a college degree.
James took a swipe at the NCAA on social media, tweeting “#TheRichPaulRule”
before a subsequent post packed with laughing emojis that read: “Can’t Stop,
Won’t Stop! They BIG MAD and Scared. Nothing will stop this movement and
culture over here. Sorry! Not sorry.”
Paul, founder of the Klutch Sports Group, also represents NBA stars Anthony
Davis, Ben Simmons and Draymond Green, among others.
But he wouldn’t meet the criteria to offer guidance to collegiate players
interested in exploring their NBA draft options while remaining eligible to
return to collegiate basketball.
The criteria also include National Basketball Players Association agent’s
certification for at least three consecutive years, professional liability
insurance and completion of an in-person exam that will be offered at the
NCAA office in Indianapolis in November.
Agents also will need to fill out an application and have a background
check.
“Men’s basketball student-athletes who are considering careers in
professional basketball but who may want to return to school are only
permitted to accept permissible agent services from NCAA-certified agents
with a signed agent agreement,” the NCAA said.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0850 hrs