Mississippi State forward Dee Bost made a bold decision this spring. He decided to keep his name in the NBA draft past the May 8 deadline. Bost's decision wasn't completely without strategy -- Bost was hoping to capitalize on the dearth of pure point guards in this year's draft -- but the chances of the 6-foot-2 point guard getting an NBA look this season was always a long shot.
So rather than stay in the draft, Bost has done something even bolder: He's enrolled at classes at Mississippi State this summer and is planning to ask the NCAA to reinstate him for his junior season this fall. How does that work, exactly? Even Mississippi State seems unsure. From the Clarion-Ledger's Kyle Veazey:
Bracky Brett, Mississippi State’s associate athletic director for compliance, said that Bost and State will have to gather statements and apply for reinstatement with the NCAA’s student-athlete reinstatement staff. Bost didn’t withdraw his name from the draft prior to the 5 p.m. deadline on May 8; NCAA documents say that a student-athlete forfeits his eligibility by not withdrawing. It’s unclear what details will go into his reinstatement request.
First things first: Bracky Brett might be the greatest southern name I've ever heard in my life. I wish my name was "Bracky Brennan." Not kidding.
Second, Bost's case could be worth watching, but not only for Mississippi State fans eager to see if Bost can get back on the court for the Bulldogs this fall. This situation could serve as a trial run for similar predicaments in the future. The NCAA moved the early-entry withdrawal deadline all the way up to May 8, which is barely enough time for prospects to figure out whether or not teams are interested. Will that adjustment lead to more lenience in reinstating players who didn't get out of the draft early enough? Or will the NCAA hold athletes to its new deadline, reinstating players only in the most extreme of circumstances? I have no idea. But Bost's case could give us something to work with.