Ralph Baer writes:
> (I imagine that as in the NBA one can after the draft opt
>out if one doesn't yet have an agent, but I suspect that this will be
>a rare occurrence.)
 
Under current NC$$ rules the "opt out" provision is only applicable to the
sport of basketball and only pertains to those athletes presently enrolled in
an NC$$ member institution.  There was some speculation recently that the
rule might be extended to cover Kevin Garnett, the Chicago high school player
who opted in to the NBA draft.  The NC$$ remained on the fence with repect to
whether the Draft opt out was applicable to a high school player.
 
With respect to other sports, including hockey, the NC$$ has taken the
position that without an amendment to their rules, the testing of the draft
waters and then "opting out" does not apply.  Therefore, any potential NHL
draft prospect who was born in 1977 and who wants to go to college, has no
choice, but to await the 1996 draft when he will automatically be eligible
without jeopardizing his NC$$ eligibility.