NBA Draft: Dates to know

As the basketball season winds down, the NBA Draft excitement ramps up for the future stars of the game. Whether you’re a college basketball aficionado, an NBA scout, or just a passionate fan, mark your calendars.

Leading up to the NBA Draft

April 27: NBA Draft Early Entry Deadline for College Players
College basketball players dreaming of making the leap to the pros must declare their eligibility for the NBA Draft by this date.

May 1: Transfer Portal Closes
For collegiate athletes looking to change schools, the transfer portal closes, finalizing decisions for the upcoming season. (Does not include graduate transfers.)

Updated April 25th: New rules have confirmed the portal closes on May 1st for every player, including graduate transfers.

Tucked away in last week’s NCAA transfer legislation was a significant change to the men’s basketball calendar:

🚨ALL transfers need to be in the portal by May 1, including graduate transfers.🚨

Previously, grad transfers didn’t have to abide by the date the portal closed.

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 24, 2024

May 11-12: NBA G League Elite Camp (Chicago, IL)
Emerging talents showcase their skills in front of NBA scouts and executives at the G League Elite Camp, a prime opportunity to make an impression before the draft. A limited amount of invites are given to G League Elite Camp standouts for the NBA Draft Combine.

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

May 12-19: NBA Draft Combine (Chicago, IL)
Prospects invited to the Draft Combine undergo rigorous testing, measurements, and interviews, providing teams with valuable insights ahead of draft night.

May 29: NCAA Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline
College players who declared for the draft have until this date to withdraw their names and retain their collegiate eligibility.

Draft night and beyond

June 26: NBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm (First Round)
The first round of the draft takes center stage as teams select their future stars, presented by State Farm. This is the first year the first and second rounds of the NBA Draft will be on two separate nights.

June 27: NBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm (Second Round)
The second round of the NBA Draft, where teams look to uncover hidden gems and future contributors.

© Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

July 12-22: NBA 2K Vegas Summer League (Las Vegas)
The next generation of talent takes to the court in Las Vegas for the NBA 2K Vegas Summer League, offering a glimpse of what’s to come in the upcoming season.

As the basketball world prepares for these pivotal events, fans eagerly anticipate the next wave of talent to grace the courts at both the collegiate and professional levels. Stay tuned for thrilling moments and breakout performances as the future of basketball unfolds before our eyes.

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