The NBA has announced in a press release the expansion of its cooperation with USA Basketball. In particular, the training of the junior national teams is to be expanded.
The goal is to expand the existing program and to provide over 80 high school players on and off the field with the best conditions for development. The focus will of course be on the country’s top talents, who could have the best chances in coming draft classes.
The Communication also promotes “proper decision-making, healthy relationships, cultural understanding, diversity, leadership and personal development”.
“We believe that this program will not help players on the field, but will also prepare them for life next to the field with their families,” said Martin Dempsey, Chairman of USA Basketball.
The new programme also brings the abolition of one-and-one college graduates ever closer. Commissioner Adam Silver already said in July that they were ready to abolish the rule. At the moment, players must be at least 19 years of age or have had a high school degree for at least a year to enroll in the draft.
The new program is designed to help talents who are actually considering moving directly from high school to the NBA. A few weeks ago, the NCAA caused a stir when it fundamentally changed its rules without informing the NBA or USA Basketball.