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NBPA pushes back against NCAA's agent certification process

David Dow / National Basketball Association / Getty

The National Basketball Players Association denounced an NCAA proposal that would require agents to follow a formal certification process in order to work with underclassmen who declare for the NBA draft.

"Competent, established, and experienced agents have no incentive to subject themselves to this legislation, and its overly burdensome procedures and oversight," the NBPA wrote on behalf of certified player representatives, according to a letter obtained by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

However, agents are willing to submit to an online seminar focused on NCAA eligibility every two years.

The letter states that agents share the NCAA's goal of providing solid counsel and feedback to players exploring the decision to forgo their remaining college eligibility in an attempt to turn pro. However, the NBPA believes the proposed certification process is at odds with the NCAA's commitment to its athletes' welfare.

"The NCAA has no knowledge or expertise over the subject matter of representing professional athletes and should defer on everything in that realm to the NBPA," the letter states. "If an agent is certified by the NBPA, then the NCAA should have no jurisdiction whatsoever in judging his or her professional competency."

Presently, athletes are able to declare for the draft and obtain the services of an agent through the pre-draft process. If they then withdraw from draft consideration by a certain date, the athlete is able to maintain college eligibility. The proposed process would require agents to officially register with the NCAA - a step too far in the eyes of agents who already operate under the oversight of the NBPA.

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