Washington ? Maurice Clarett’s bid to enter this weekend’s NFL draft was turned down by the Supreme Court on Thursday, delaying his attempt to bypass the league’s eligibility rule.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg rejected his first request, saying she saw no reason to overturn a lower court’s stay preventing the former Ohio State running back from being taken in the draft.

She cited the NFL’s willingness to “promptly” hold a supplemental draft if the 20-year-old Clarett, out of high school two years, prevails in his lawsuit challenging the NFL’s requirement that players wait three years after high school before turning pro.

Clarett filed a second emergency appeal with Justice John Paul Stevens, who quickly rejected it. The athlete’s lawyer said he did not plan a third.

“That’s not the route we’re going,” said attorney Alan Milstein.

A Clarett victory would also have helped wide receiver Mike Williams of Southern California, who entered the draft after the original decision allowing in Clarett. Williams was expected to be a first-round pick.