<Li> If they graduated from high school in the U.S., but did not enroll in a U.S. college or university, four years have passed since their high school class graduated . </Li> <Li> They have signed a contract with a professional basketball team outside the NBA, anywhere in the world, and have played under that contract . They also must be released from their contract before they can leave college to go to the NBA </Li> <P> Those who have reached the minimum eligibility age of 19 and meet the criteria for "international" players are automatically eligible if they meet any of the following criteria: </P> <Ul> <Li> They are at least 22 during the calendar year of the draft . </Li> <Li> They have signed a contract with a professional basketball team outside the NBA within the United States, and have played under that contract . </Li> </Ul>

Why did the nba change the draft rule