If the NBA wants to use college basketball as a farm system, then maybe they should be kicking-in some big money to these schools. Maybe we should just ask these kids out of high school --"Do you really want to get a degree, or are you just here to make a buck?" Make these players stay for 4 years, or go right into the NBA out of high school. Stop wasting the coach's' and fan's time. If you're in it for the money, then go to the money. College basketball is just a big player pimp anymore.
Although it will never happen, I'd sure like to see a system implemented where when a player commits to the school, the player is, well, obligated is the closest term I can think of to state what I mean, to that institution for the full 4 years. If a player decides to leave after one year and is eligible to do so, he can, he is financially responsible for 3 years of his scholarship term, which he should easily be able to pay off with his first NBA deal. Leave after two years, pay for two etc... and if the player stays full term, obviously he's lived up to his end of the deal, plus hopefully will have a college degree to take with him in case his dreams of NBA stardom don't pan out. Nothing about this plan goes against the player's best interests and if someone thinks it does I'd sure like to hear arguments as to why.
Uradufuss, be careful what you ask for. Look at all the undergrads who declare. How many of them are names you never heard of? A vast majority of the guys who enter college basketball have dreams of the NBA. You think the coaches that recruit an Ogden, Durrant, Rose, or Beasley don't know they are one a doners? Do any of these guys even bother to take classes their second semester? Of course the NCAA is a farm system of the NBA. You don't think the NCAA isn't glad that the NBA has the new age rule? Look at the POY candidates the last two years. A freshman won last year and freshmen were included in this year's top 5 and 10. Does anyone really think TH is a better player than Beasley? Intangibles are always given why TH won. The NCAA was embarrassed that a freshman won last year. However the freshmen are the one's who cause all the buzz. Believe it, if there wasn't an age limit many of those names on the undergrad list wouldn't be there. Whether they should turn pro or not is another question.
BMoonphase, a school is only obligated for a one year scholarship. Four years is the maximum they can offer. The scholarship is renewable every year. I love college basketball but it is just big business. It is no different than an NBA player becoming a free agent after their initial contract. In this case it is one year. You are blaming the player. The school loses nothing if a player leaves after one year. What you are looking to do is punish the player for leaving early. What happens to the player if he doesn't complete his degree before he uses his eligibility? Do you think these schools care about them after the eligibility is gone? In my perfect world there would be a system like baseball. Everyone is eligible for the draft. If you decide to go to a 4 year college you stay until you finish your junior year. I believe junior college players can become eligible for the draft after one year. I would love to see the NBA develop a true farm system, however why should they as long as the NCAA does such a fine job.
I'll say its not in the players best interest to always wait around and finish getting their degree. The truth of it is that the NBA is dominated by marketing and these players are getting large contracts to jump into the pros. If they stay when they were lottery picks all they risk everything by slipping in the draft or even worse getting injured. Everyone acts as if every single person in the country needs a college education to be a successful individual. Even worse, they act as if players who don't pan out in the NBA can't go back to school. There are time limits on athlete's ability to play sports and there are often even bigger limits on their ability to make huge sums of money doing so but there really aren't for going to college - maybe if all the people telling athletes to stay in school for four years would have taken some or paid more attention to college level business classes they would be able to recognize that the financial and educational choices in front of an NBA star aren't even remotely similar to the ones facing the rest of us.
Aside from any of that, it is well known that for many of these players they don't come from the wealthiest or safest areas of the country and some of them want to help change their entire family's situation as fast as possible and its absolutely absurd to insult their intelligence or integrity for wanting to do that.
Finally, most people absolutely go to college for an education, but lets be honest it can also serve different purposes to different people. I have some friends who know they are working for their family and just wanted the "college experience". I have known people that came to college to find a spouse. I have known athletes that hated school but wanted the chance to continue challenging themselves and take their games to another level. It is closed minded and arrogant to attack anyone simply because their choices are different than yours.
I am in no way saying that professional athletes are perfect people, make perfect decisions, or even remotely good role models. I am not saying that everyone who goes pro should have or that education isn't important. In the end, just recognize that not everyone is the same and there isn't some grand formula to life.
I would agree --there is no grand formula for life. Some of us go to college, and some of us do not. That is fine. Just be prepared to make that decision when you are about to graduate from high school. Do not lead-on the colleges.
