The NCAA Needs to Act

[GenJac]

While it’s nice to see the first class athletes compete for the national championship of college basketball, it is difficult to accept a college champion that has a preponderance of “one & done Freshmen” that are not necessarily in the institution for any advanced education outside of the court. So how should the NCAA adapt to this scenario that clearly favors the few schools and leaves most out of contention before the season begins? One suggestion is for the NCAA to regulate how many “one and done’s” schools can chase in the recruiting wars. It would work as follows:

When a recruit signs on with a school, that school awards three scholarship years per athlete. For a player that stays to the fourth year, there is a bonus scholarship awarded for that final year that does not impact the total scholarship count for that school. If the student-athlete decides he or she is a better athlete than student at the end of his/her freshman year and leaves, the school forfeits the remaining two scholarship years. So the more one & done’s that leave, the fewer remaining scholarships the school has. In effect, this will spread out the schools to which these athletes will migrate, as no school would risk a serious depletion of scholarships. No longer will two or three schools dominate every year based on consistently replenishing the one & done’s.

This is not a punishment of any school, as they remain free to recruit. However, the onus must also be placed on the incoming recruit to state in advance of entry that, they are likely to be a short termer, so that all parties are entering the scholarship agreement with their eyes open. There is no perfect solution here, but for the better of the game & competition, the NCAA needs to act.

 

[pumpkinhead33793]

Why do people have a problem with 1 and dones? Do you worry about each individual's education level after they make their money in the pros? I doubt that.

It is what it is. Basketball (like baseball and hockey) are sports where the athlete can compete at the highest level at 18-20 if they have the talent. Everyone knows this and know it is part of the game.

 

[Codaxx]

I dont think it is right to prohibit a kid from making million of dollars for the sake of our entertainment. I would, however, be in favor of a baseball type rule. College Baseball allows the players to make a choice. Sign straight out of high school or sign a LOI, but if you go to college you must spend 2 years at the University. YOu can make it 3 if you like, but that seems to be the fairest system.

 

[GenJac]

Oh and I should mention Bo Ryan offered a scholarship to Diamond Stone, a likely one-and-done player. Bo Ryan can only speak from his high horse because he has failed to land any of these pro-ready players.

 

[gordontrue]

I don't think the 1-and-done's are the problem. The college basketball product is the problem. There is plenty of talent in college basketball... more than ever.

I'd rather see rule changes with shot clock and defense than anything about the 1-and-done players.

 

[UK Cowboy]

Cracks me up that Cal is ripped for One and Done's, while Coach K is applauded for''adapting''....Hypocrites

 

[GoreRush]

They shouldn't be required to go to college and play; but if they do, they should be required to stay for at least 3 years. People don't watch college hoops to see future NBA players. They watch it to cheer for the school they are or have attended. College hoops won't lose fans if a lot of the pro talent doesn't participate. Put the student back in student-athlete.

 

[UK Cowboy]

I think players should be allowed to go straight from High School,

They shouldn't be required to go to college and play; but if they do, they should be required to stay for at least 3 years. People don't watch college hoops to see future NBA players. They watch it to cheer for the school they are or have attended. College hoops won't lose fans if a lot of the pro talent doesn't participate. Put the student back in student-athlete.

This is exactly the way I think it should be. For the kids that just don't want to go to college, there's overseas ball and the D League. The league needs to also be brutally honest with these kids, it's rare for a kid to be ready to compete in the NBA like a Kobe or KG. Look at UK....Harrison Twins probably would have gone straight to the NBA out of High School, and they'd have never made it in the league. They will enter the draft this year, even though both should stay not just next year, but for their SR season as well. The only kid that could have competed right away out of all the kids on the team is KAT

 

[jonvi]

Other than penalizing a kid, this issue is in the hands of the NBA. But that said....The reason to go to college is to prepare a person for making money. If a kid can make millions going pro, mission accomplished.

Unless you're willing to tell a kid he can't go pro or he must pay back tutition even though he made the school money, then fault lays with the NBA.

Considering the potential money at the next level....we are not going to see a change in college. Anyone that passes up millions is taking a big risk.

 

[UKnation87]

two and through if they sign with, and attend a college. I also think if a young man/woman can serve and die for this great country at the age of 18, they should also have the ability to make millions of dollars "IF" they have the skill & talent to do it.

Easy fix... allow a high school kid to get the evaluation he needs to go straight to NBA. If, during that evaluation, he doesn't receive the feedback necessary to put his name in the draft, go to a college but with the "rule" that he cannot even attempt to jump to the NBA without at least 2 years.

 

[jonvi]

two and through if they sign with, and attend a college. I also think if a young man/woman can serve and die for this great country at the age of 18, they should also have the ability to make millions of dollars "IF" they have the skill & talent to do it.

Easy fix... allow a high school kid to get the evaluation he needs to go straight to NBA. If, during that evaluation, he doesn't receive the feedback necessary to put his name in the draft, go to a college but with the "rule" that he cannot even attempt to jump to the NBA without at least 2 years.

That's kind of double talk. Carmelo Anthony didn't think he was NBA ready especially entering the NBA the same year as Lebron. So he comes to SU for one year and wins an NC. His stock is through the roof.

But now you suggest he must stay another year rather than sign that mega paycheck with Denver? This is the NBA's fault for offering up the money.

 

[jontaejones]

Uh. It's the NBA that needs to act.

If they wouldn't keep drafting guys that haven't done anything based on the fact that they have a pretty jumpshot and a 40" vertical, then those guys would stop coming out early.

A good example is Myles Turner. He sucks. Can he put up points and grab rebounds on the NBA level? Yea. So can a ton of other shmoes. You can always get those guys in cheap trades years down the line in the NBA.

If the NBA wouldn't draft these kids, and let them develop into Grant Hills and Vince Carters at the college level, then it would be better for both sports.

 

[Codaxx]

Uh. It's the NBA that needs to act.

If they wouldn't keep drafting guys that haven't done anything based on the fact that they have a pretty jumpshot and a 40" vertical, then those guys would stop coming out early.

A good example is Myles Turner. He sucks. Can he put up points and grab rebounds on the NBA level? Yea. So can a ton of other shmoes. You can always get those guys in cheap trades years down the line in the NBA.

If the NBA wouldn't draft these kids, and let them develop into Grant Hills and Vince Carters at the college level, then it would be better for both sports.

Miles Turner doesnt suck. He was actually quite good. He just did not get many opportunities and when Barnes felt the heat he went to an older line up. Drafting for potential is no different than recruiting, especially in football. You draft high upside with the hope you develop it 2-3 years down the road. If you miss, it is not hard to find an average player to replace that pick. Great GM's/coaches just happen to hit more on their risks than others

 

[jontaejones]

Miles Turner doesnt suck. He was actually quite good. He just did not get many opportunities and when Barnes felt the heat he went to an older line up. Drafting for potential is no different than recruiting, especially in football. You draft high upside with the hope you develop it 2-3 years down the road. If you miss, it is not hard to find an average player to replace that pick. Great GM's/coaches just happen to hit more on their risks than others

It's a combination of NBA GMs over-risking and kids just being plain greedier.

Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning, and Grant Hill all could have come out way early. They were guaranteed top picks. Nothing was stopping them.

It was just a different culture back then. Nowadays, you have guys leaving early who haven't done anything. The thought that a guy like Miles Turner would turn pro 20 years ago was laughable.

It cheapens both games. Back then, you'd have a guy like Alonzo Mourning who could help you win on the college level AND he would come into the NBA ready to contribute.

Trust me when I say it was better.

 

[BeaverShaver]

I know this is not the popular opinion these days, but...

I like CBB the way it is. Granted, I am not a huge fan all season long. I watch from Selection Sunday on.

This was one of the best tournaments I can remember, and I say dont change a thing.

 

[Tharvot]

Why do people have a problem with 1 and dones? Do you worry about each individual's education level after they make their money in the pros? I doubt that.

It is what it is. Basketball (like baseball and hockey) are sports where the athlete can compete at the highest level at 18-20 if they have the talent. Everyone knows this and know it is part of the game.

I don't have any issue with it other than it completely waters down the talent pools in both college and pro basketball. Most kids could use a few more years in college to hone their craft before making the jump. If the NBA had a similar 3 years or 21 years old rule to the NFL, I think it would serve both institutions nicely.

 

[belcherboy]

I think that college basketball should be like college baseball. You can choose to go to the NBA draft right out of high school, but if you choose to go to college, then you have to stay at least 2 years before your are eligible for the NBA draft again. I know college baseball is 3 years, but 2 years would be plenty for college basketball players. You may lose the best high school players, but outside the top 6-8 players, I think you would get most of the rest of the pack to play college ball for 2 years. IMO, that would dramatically improve the quality of the game, and make good coaches stand out much more because they aren't always starting with a new team every year.

 

[DHoey]

I couldn't imagine rooting for a one and done team year in and year out. Hell, I don't even consider spencer hawes and Tony Wroten real huskies.

 

[DHoey]

I don't know why more top high school players aren't jumping straight overseas and making some money before the NBA

 

[Codaxx]

It's a combination of NBA GMs over-risking and kids just being plain greedier.

Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning, and Grant Hill all could have come out way early. They were guaranteed top picks. Nothing was stopping them.

It was just a different culture back then. Nowadays, you have guys leaving early who haven't done anything. The thought that a guy like Miles Turner would turn pro 20 years ago was laughable.

It cheapens both games. Back then, you'd have a guy like Alonzo Mourning who could help you win on the college level AND he would come into the NBA ready to contribute.

Trust me when I say it was better.

nobody says it was not better, but it ignores the current state of affairs. You can not miss on the next Kobe, LeBron, TMac, etc..There was a time when it just wasnt done. Sampson and Bowe could have left and decide to play.

To the last poster, that is exactly what happened this year. Mudaiy is the first to do that and he is expected to go top 5. You may see more kids do that now.