Adam Silver is ready for 18-year-olds to play in the NBA

By ADAM ZAGORIA

The one-and-done rule is going to end sooner than later, possibly by 2021 or ’22.

And NBA Commissioner Adam Silver seems ready for it.

“My personal view is that we’re ready to make that change,” Silver told reporters Tuesday about the question of 18-year-olds playing in the NBA.

The Commission on College Basketball recently recommended that the NCAA work with the NBA to lift the one-and-done rule that requires players be at least 19 years old and a year removed from high school to be draft eligible. That rule dates back to 2006.

Silver and National Basketball Players Association Executive Director Michele Roberts later issued a statement consistent with that.

“The NBA and the NBPA thank Secretary Rice and the members of the Commission on College Basketball for their commitment to address the issues facing men’s college basketball.  We support NCAA policy and enforcement reforms that will better safeguard the well-being of players while imposing greater accountability on representatives and programs that fail to uphold the values of the game.  We also share the Commission’s concern with the current state of youth basketball and echo that all stakeholders — including the NBA, NBPA, NCAA, and USA Basketball — have a collective responsibility to help bring about positive change.  Regarding the NBA’s draft eligibility rules, the NBA and NBPA will continue to assess them in order to promote the best interests of players and the game.”

 

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