NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rights have reshaped NBA Draft decisions, cutting the number of underclassmen declaring early as college athletes now earn money while staying in school. While early-entry applications keep climbing each year, the influx has little real effect on draft boards or how teams grade talent.
What is an NBA Draft Early Entrant?
An NBA Draft Early Entrant is a player who declares for the draft before becoming automatically eligible, usually by not completing four years of college or not reaching age 22. Most early entrants are college freshmen, sophomores or younger international players aiming to turn pro ahead of schedule. To enter, they must file paperwork and may withdraw before a league deadline if they choose to return to school or do not sign with an agent.
The 2025 NBA Draft has its fewest early entrants in a decade.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 28, 2025
It's less than 1/3 of the early entrants the year before the NIL era began. pic.twitter.com/Fh6BMrA8KQ
Early Entry in NBA Draft
A record 283 players filed for early entry to the NBA Draft in 2022. That number dropped to 242 in 2023, 201 in 2024 and 106 this year. Of the 201 early entrants last year, only 58 were selected. The NBA kept the draft at 58 picks again this year, with the final list of early entrants confirmed April 29 ahead of the June 25-26 draft.
NBA teams rarely deviate from their draft boards despite the flood of early entrants each year. Scouting and analytics staffs spend months evaluating prospects’ talent, fit, character and physical tools, often flagging players who appear consistently in credible mock drafts and deliver steady performances. Most early entrants never rise to serious consideration because front offices stick to long-established evaluations. Whether 150 or 250 players declare, teams don’t abandon core draft strategies – early declarations have virtually no impact on how NBA teams make their picks.
The Two-Way Deal Era in NBA
Early entry is no guarantee to an NBA roster spot, even with Two-Way contracts and the G League. Some players benefit from early pro exposure, but many need more time to develop before cracking a main roster. The NBA remains highly selective. Declaring early rarely boosts a player’s draft stock and often just broadens options overseas or in developmental leagues.
The number of early entrants keeps climbing each year, but its effect on actual draft outcomes is negligible. Unless the league changes eligibility rules, early entry will stay a personal test run.
READ: How Much Do NBA Rookies Earn Compared to Established Stars?
