The Latest: NCAA lower divisions to evaluate new agent rule

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on underclassmen who hired an agent before entering the NBA draft (all times local):

2:35 p.m.

The NCAA has says Division II and Division III schools will evaluate the new rule that allows college basketball players to sign with agents but maintain college eligibility while declaring for the NBA draft.

The rule currently only applies to Division I players.

In the statement to The Associated Press Wednesday, NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn says the rule adopted last summer followed recommendations from the Condoleezza Rice-led Commission on College Basketball “regarding the Division I environment” amid a federal corruption investigation into the sport. Osburn says schools in Division II and Division II will “evaluate the impact” of the new rule and consider whether to adopt it.

Confusion over the rule has led to uncertainty for Glenville State’s Phil Bledsoe, a Division II player who signed with an agent but withdrew from the draft ahead of Wednesday night’s deadline to withdraw and preserve college eligibility.

Osburn declined to speak on any individual cases, but says schools with players impacted by rules changes “can work through existing processes to seek potential solutions.”