What Are These Waters Being Tested?

With the end of the college basketball season every year comes a rush of student-athletes declaring that they are going to test the waters regarding entering their names in the NBA Draft.  This year is special, as many people believe that it could be the last season before the NBA owners lockout, jeopardizing at least the 2011 season.  A lot of players who would not normally be testing the waters are throwing their names into the pool.  Those who test the waters will not sign an agent.  Doing so would automatically shed their student-athlete designation, rendering them professional athletes, and barring them from ever playing another college game that counts.  These water testers have until May 8 to figure out their draft stock before they must decide whether they will keep their names in the draft or return to school.  After May 8, you either swim or drown…testing is no longer an option.  Also, players who have not yet decided to declare for the draft and test the waters have until April 25 to do so.

So when you hear a guy like Alex Tyus from my alma mater, University of Florida, has entered the NBA Draft, don’t immediately start screaming “What the hell is he thinking?!?!?!”  Tyus is most likely waiting to receive some draft grades, and my guess is that he will return to school.  Thus, he won’t hire an agent and will just test the waters for now.