updated 12:09 a.m. ET June 25, 2005

SAN ANTONIO - The days of jumping from the preps to the pros — the route to the NBA chosen by LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady and others — are almost over.

A one-year increase in the minimum age was part of a new six-year collective bargaining agreement tentatively reached Tuesday by owners and players.

Commissioner David Stern and union director Billy Hunter finalized the deal in principle in New York and immediately flew to the NBA Finals to announce it prior to Game 6 between San Antonio and Detroit. The agreement will replace the seven-year pact expiring June 30.

“We’re gratified that we were able to avoid a work stoppage,” Stern said. “This agreement creates a strong partnership with our players, which is essential for us.”

Other facets of the new deal will make trades easier, increase pensions for retired players, impose harsher penalties on drug violators and offer teams the option of sending young players for minor-league seasoning.

The salary cap will be raised from 48.04 percent of revenues to 51 percent, increasing the amount of money each team can spend on player salaries, and players will be guaranteed 57 percent of revenues.

There could be more jobs, too, with teams being required to keep an average of 14 players on their rosters, and players will have the right to an arbitrator’s review of any suspension of more than 12 games for on-court misconduct.

On the age limitation, American players will have to wait one year after their high school class graduates before they can become draft eligible. International players will have to turn 19 by the end of the calendar year in which they become draft eligible.

“This will encourage our scouts to spend time in D-league gyms rather than high school gyms,” Stern said.

Next Tuesday’s NBA draft will mark the final time, barring future changes, that high school players will be draft eligible.

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A lockout could have begun July 1, and the likelihood of a work stoppage seemed to increase last week after a round of posturing from both sides. But significant progress was made in almost 12 hours of meetings Friday, and the final gaps were closed Tuesday morning.

“We decided it was time to back away from the abyss and see if we could get a deal,” Hunter said.

The agreement still must be ratified by the league’s Board of Governors and by the players’ union at its annual meeting in Las Vegas next week.

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