Most college basketball prospects have a clear vision: move into a dorm room for 10-12 months and establish themselves as a top NBA draft candidate.
Due to the international situation and other options within the U.S., such as the G League Ignite and Overtime Elite, some never even set foot on a college campus.
Ever since the NBA implemented the “one-and-done” rule in 2005, collective thinking has encouraged talented young players to jump to the next level as soon as possible.
However, the emergence of this year’s NBA rookies belies that.
Certainly, the first few picks on Wednesday are expected to be France’s Alex Sarr and Zachary Lisacher, along with Connecticut’s Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan, but there will likely be names called of players who played within two years of graduating high school.
But other key players, like 22-year-old Providence guard Devin Carter, 23-year-old Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht and 22-year-old Purdue center Zach Eddy, feel like they’ve spent a lot of time in college.
In a sport where teenagers move to big-name cities only to soon face off against 30-year-old veterans, these older hopefuls believe their wealth of experience will help them improve.
“I think it’s helped me develop at every stage,” said Knecht, who played at Northeastern Junior College, Northern Colorado and finally Tennessee. “Each school has helped develop me and prepare me to be an impact player the minute they call me up to the NBA.”
One of the benefits of attending over 130 college games is the added exposure to different defensive strategies, game flow and tighter atmospheres.
“I feel like I can bring a lot of knowledge to the game because of my experience,” said winger Tristan da Silva, 23, from Colorado. “I think being around the game a long time, or maybe longer than some of the other guys who are in their first year, is a big advantage.”
In addition to the learning curve being less steep, nearly all of the players who spent three or four years at the school said they also saw noticeable mental growth.
“It’s made me a more mature person,” Carter said. “I don’t get so upset about little things. So now I just block it all out.”
No NBA player over the age of 22 has been selected in the top six since Buddy Hield in 2016, but that could change on Wednesday, with Knecht frequently rumored to be selected sixth by the Charlotte Hornets.
Additionally, from 2019 through 2023, there were four or fewer draft picks over the age of 22, but this time around, there is a good chance that at least six draft picks in the first round will be over the age of 22.
In an era defined by name, image and likeness (NIL), some players have given up early exit in order to return to school and earn more cash.
Several prospects believe this year’s draft could mark a generational change, moving away from a model that prioritizes raw talent.
“I think times are changing with the draft,” Dayton forward Darron Holmes II said. “It doesn’t have to be a one-year thing. I think guys are starting to realize that now.”
This year’s veterans feel like their entire time spent in college can not only set a new trend but also provide clear benefits at the next level.
“We all feel the same way,” Knecht said. “I think we’ve grown and we’re ready to go. … We’re ready to get on the court right away and show what we can do.”
