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The NCAA's board of directors Thursday agreed to begin formal discussion of an ACC proposal that would require college basketball's underclassmen to declare their NBA draft status by mid-April of each year.

The panel's decision does not endorse the proposal, it merely fast-tracks the idea in the legislative process for initial consideration in January. The 18-member board, chaired by Clemson University president James Barker, could have tabled the idea and postponed its status indefinitely.

"We will also communicate with coaches groups, our governance structure, conferences and the NBA in order to talk about their positions and consider possible amendments if they are appropriate," said David Berst, the NCAA's vice president for Division I and a liaison to the board.

The ACC-sponsored proposal seeks to alter a timetable that some coaches consider burdensome to their programs. Under the current rules, underclassmen can rescind their declaration for early draft entry as late as June -- well after the NCAA's spring signing period for prospects has closed. The rule, if passed, would require players to make final decisions seven to 10 days after the Final Four, a time frame roughly coinciding with the mid-April start of the spring signing period. Once the date passes, players would not be allowed to withdraw from the draft and retain NCAA eligibility.

The issue will next be considered at the NCAA's convention in January. If it proceeds through the legislative process and is approved, it could be implemented for the 2010 draft.

There's no guarantee that it will appear as it is currently conceived, however. ACC commissioner John Swofford, reacting to coaches' concerns voiced at the league's business meetings in May, convened a study group that consisted of coaches, athletics directors and faculty. The panel came up with the mid-April idea, but it's too soon to say there is unanimity in national coaching circles on the topic.

Maryland coach Gary Williams, who was not on the committee, said Sunday he believes players should be allowed to go through the draft, attend professional training camp and return to college ball if they feel they are not prepared for the NBA.

The National Association of Basketball Coaches has not issued a formal position on the April proposal. The NCAA will ask for the NBA's opinion, but neither the league nor the union of its players can overrule NCAA action.

"While the board agreed to put this into the legislative cycle, I would tell you there are varying views about whether (the April date) is the appropriate period of time," Berst said. "It was agreed that we ought to begin that discussion now in order to have legislation in place, if necessary, for the 2010 draft. If we had delayed consideration, it couldn't be in place for another year."

The NCAA's 30-member Legislative Council will discuss the proposal Jan. 15 and again April 20-21. Shane Lyons, the ACC's director of NCAA rules compliance, serves on that panel. The Board of Directors would vote on the proposed legislation April 30.

Contact Rob Daniels at 373-7028 or rob.daniels@news-record.com