The NBA is loosening rules on scouting high school players, according to a memo to teams obtained by ESPN.
Beginning in mid-December, NBA teams will be permitted to attend several key high school events featuring many of the best non-draft eligible players in America, including dozens of future NBA players. The NBA age-limit remains in place, meaning U.S.-based players wishing to be selected in the NBA draft must be both one year removed from graduating high school and turning 19 in the calendar year of the draft, with no plans on eliminating that rule expected anytime soon.
The NBA is responding to a desire that team front offices have long had to gain greater access to evaluate elite prospects prior to entering college.