BOISE — For the third time since 2016, Boise State men's basketball will have a player declare for the NBA draft before his senior season.
Broncos redshirt junior guard Derrick Alston, Jr. announced on Monday he will enter his name in the 2020 NBA draft, all while keeping his NCAA eligibility. Alston will receive an evaluation from a group of NBA team executives called the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee. That group will give the guard a projection of where he could end up in the upcoming draft. He'll also be allowed to workout for NBA teams and could attend the NBA Draft Combine and G League Elite Camp. If he doesn't like his chances, he could return to Boise to play for the Broncos for his senior season.
Alston joins James Webb, III (who forewent his senior season and entered the draft in 2016) and Chandler Hutchison (who declared for the 2017 NBA draft but decided to return to the Broncos for his senior season) as Broncos who declared for the draft early.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to chase my dream, while retaining my NCAA eligibility and leaving the door open to return to Boise State,” Alston said. “This is the next step in my development. I am excited to give it everything I have and grow from it, not only as a basketball player but as a person as well.”
According to new NCAA rules, Alston could be allowed to sign with an NCAA-certified agent to help him work through the pre-draft process without losing his eligibility to return to the Broncos. If he returns to Boise State, that relationship with an agent would end once he enrolls to return to campus.
“Derrick is going to explore his options and make an educated decision,” said Boise State head coach Leon Rice. “Being in this position is a testament to how hard he has worked and the commitment to his development.”
Alston wraps up a Junior campaign in which he scored 554 points, leading the Broncos in scoring (17.3 points per game) and leading the team in assists (98) and finishing second in rebounding (167).
“I want to thank every coach, teammate, fan and supporter who has been alongside me on this journey so far,” Alston said. “I would not be where I am today without each and every one of them.”
Alston will have until June 3 to remove his name from the draft, if he hopes to return to Boise State.
Student-athletes who wish to remove their names from the NBA Draft and maintain NCAA eligibility must submit a letter to the NBA by the end of the day June 3. The 2020 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25.
