When you look at the recruiting calendar, it really makes you wonder what dimwits are running the NCAA. So many of their decisions seem to make zero sense and helps nobody. The most obvious example is opening the basketball transfer portal while the season is still in progress. The second is a week long Dead Period in the early phases of that transfer time span - for what reason?!?!
Every D-1 Basketball coach and a multitude of players have some big decisions to make in the coming weeks and months.
Important Dates for NCAA Basketball:
March 24: The NCAA transfer portal opened.
April 3: NCAA dead period begins.
April 10: NCAA dead period ends.
April 22: Transfer portal closes. Players don’t have to announce their destination by this day, just tell administration to enter their name into the portal.
April 26: NBA Early Entry Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET).
May 9-11: G League Combine - 78 of the top players were invited to the 2024 Draft Combine. 45 prospects were invited to last year’s G League Combine. Expect something close to those numbers this year as well. Upon conclusion of the G League Combine, a select number of players from that group will be invited to participate in the NBA Draft Combine based on their performance in the G League camp. Anyone not in this group would be wise to return to college if eligible.
May 11-18: NBA Draft Combine
May 12: NBA Draft Lottery fixed in favor of the Spurs.
June 15: NBA Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline (5 p.m. ET)
June 25: 2025 NBA Draft First Round
June 26: 2025 NBA Draft Second Round
For some draft-eligible players, the Combines are a way to test the waters and better understand their potential draft standings. For others, it is an opportunity to go up against the best and prepare their game for future goals.
A few of the big names who have already declared:
Rutgers G Dylan Harper - Despite losing to the Crimson Tide, this true freshman put up 37 points - reminiscent of the time Ja Morant had 38 while playing in a losing effort for Murray State.
Oklahoma G Jeremiah Fears - Another one-and-done who scored 16 in a 28-point defeat to the Tide.
St. John’s G RJ Luis Jr. - Famously benched by Rick Pitino in the Red Men’s second round upset loss to Arkansas.
Oregon C Nate Bittle - 7-footer had 19 points and 9 rebounds against Alabama in the Players Era Championship Game in Las Vegas.
UConn F Liam McNeeley - Freshman averaged 14.5 ppg and 6 rebounds. In the Big Dance, he produced 8 points in a win over Oklahoma but scored 22 in two-point defeat to Florida. Projected mid-first round, but this dude has bust written all over him.