NCAA Council approves start of summer college basketball activities, defers on recruiting calendar

The Division I Council approved the return of organized basketball activities on Wednesday

College basketball programs will be permitted to begin required team activities on July 20 under a plan approved by the Division I Council on Wednesday. The plan allows for voluntary activities and virtual meetings to continue until that time. The July 20 start date will signal the beginning of up to eight weeks of required workouts for some hoops teams, but mandatory activities will only be permitted up until the school's first day of classes.

"The Council worked to balance the desire to get student-athletes training again with the need to repopulate our campuses and athletics facilities gradually and safely, within all campus, local and state mandates," Penn athletic director and Division I Council chair M. Grace Calhoun said. "Student-athlete health and safety should remain a top priority."

The Council on Wednesday also deferred a decision on changes to the recruiting calendar as members "needed more time to consider the recommendations and get input from others," according to a statement from the NCAA. The Council is planning to have a teleconference in the next few weeks to vote on the changes to the recruiting calendar, the statement said.

Previously, the NCAA extended the recruiting dead period through July as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the summer AAU circuit. Before the pandemic, the initial dead period was set to expire on April 15. The absence of normal summer evaluation periods because of the coronavirus and extended dead period is expected to have an impact on the ability of players in the class of 2021 to dramatically improve their stock ahead of the scheduled early signing period.