What happens to the players who are not selected in the NBA Draft?

There will be a whole lot of sleepless nights for many draft hopefuls that are on the verge of the biggest moment of their basketball lives so far. After millions of jump shots, thousands of practices, and countless games the day is finally here. From the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, we will witness 60 players on the hunt for their life long dream of getting drafted into the NBA will finally come true.

Life after college

There are 106 players that have declared for the 2024 Draft (the lowest number since 2015), and there are only 60 selections total over the course of the two rounds which means more than 40 players will end tonight with their basketball futures undecided. So what happens to those who are not going to be selected?

Just because they don’t get their names called over the course of Draft doesn’t mean that their basketball journey comes to an end. There are plenty of options for NBA aspirants to continue pursuing their dream of playing in the league, it just may be a longer and harder road then they expected.

Most of the players in the selection pool are players that are coming out of college. Until recently, players who hired an agent and entered the NBA draft could not go back to college, but since the NCAA lightened up on restrictions in 2018, players with eligibility are now permitted to return to their school “as long as they notify their athletics director of their intent by 5 p.m. the Monday after the draft.”

Summer league first choice for many

This takes the risk out of declaring for the draft for underclassmen who still have years left before their eligibility runs out. For those who have used all of their eligibility up, they have to look for different options to pursue a career in professional basketball.

For many who don’t get selected, the next step to try to make an NBA roster could the Summer League. That gives players a chance to have direct contact with the team, while playing and practicing with members of the organization. The Summer League is a opportunity for players who were drafted or not to get a first taste of NBA action.

None of the big stars participate, so it gives guys who need some time to impress sufficiently playing time to make an impact. The head coaches also sit out Summer League but are in direct contact with the coach of the team, and scouts as they decide on a roster before heading into the regular season.

G-League, overseas other options

A lucky few are fortunate enough to make an NBA roster, but others are not. Those who don’t make it can look to the G-League which is the NBA’s feeder league. Just like minor league baseball, this gives those who don’t make the NBA but to improve, and impress while still being a part of an NBA organization. Teams in the G-League are directly associated with NBA teams so if a player puts up big numbers in the G-League it won’t take long for word to travel through the front office grapevine.

There are also plenty of options abroad. Players who don’t get drafted are often courted by overseas teams. It may not be the route that many were looking for, but playing overseas is a great way to cut your teeth against professionals while experiencing getting a different taste of culture and lifestyle in a foreign world.

There will be 46 players who will not hear their name called at the Barclay’s Center, and while the disappointment will surely set in at first, it’s not the end of the road.

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