Yep. Malone was at the time one of only 3 (IIRC) players to play in the NBA without playing college first. Darryl Dawkins, who also recently passed away, was also one of the three. I can’t remember the name of the 3rd player.
The NBA had very strict rules about undergraduates going early back then. I don’t remember all of them, but I *think* one of them was sacrificing your remaining college eligibility if you declared for the draft. So, if you didn’t get drafted or make a team, you were hosed. Again, that’s if IIRC.
I think Bill Willoughby was the third. I remember that name because he was from Englewood High School here in New Jersey, and later played for the New Jersey Nets.
You didn’t/don’t lose your college eligibility by declaring for the draft but by signing with an agent or a professional sports contract.
I know of only one player to declare for the draft,not sign with an agent, then go back to school.
Agents set up all the workouts for teams and set up interviews with interested teams. Declaring then not signing an agent tells teams you are not very confident in your abilities nor have the commitment to make it in professional basketball.
Undrafted underclassmen go to play professional basketball in Europe,China or the NBA Developmental League. Many go on to support themselves for 10 plus years as professional athletes. If you are not good enough to play 10 years in the Italian league after declaring early for the NBA draft you made a gross overestimation of your basketball abilities.
Artis Gilmore?