📡 Goodbye one-and-done: With scandals rocking youth basketball, NBA readying to step in

[Max]

In recent days, influential voices such as former President Barack Obama and LeBron James, a vice president of the players' union, have called for the NBA to expand its G League to give teenagers another option besides the NCAA route. NCAA president Mark Emmert has said repeatedly he doesn't believe players should come to college if only to use it as a pit stop toward being in the NBA.

These concerns have been on Silver's desk for some time, and he has been seeking input on the topic, reaching out to influential basketball minds across the sport to hear ideas. Recent events have convinced him that some concepts need to be accelerated, sources said.

"We're spending a lot of time on [youth basketball]. I think there is a big opportunity, on a global basis, focus on elite players in terms of better training, better fitness, so that they ultimately can be successful at the highest level," Silver said during All-Star Weekend. "That is something from a league standpoint, together with our teams, we're putting an enormous amount of energy and resources into."

Within the past year, league officials began canvassing teams on their ideas and interest in the NBA creating academies that would house and train dozens of the country's elite high school basketball players, sources said. This academy concept has been floated for years, notably by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

These academies would've been modeled after European-style operations that soccer and basketball franchises use and after the NBA's own international academies. The NBA currently operates three academies in China, one in India and one in Senegal and has a global academy with prospects from across the planet at the Australia Institute of Sport. They recently opened another academy in Mexico City to serve standout Latin American teens.

However, after discussions with teams and examining challenges and possible unintended consequences with establishing these operations in the U.S., the NBA has decided not to go down the academy path at this time, sources said.

Instead, the league might be looking at how it can get in touch with prospects while they're playing in high school with camps, tournaments and other connection points as they move through high school, with the summer being a focus point.

In this way, the league could bring in some of its experts to advise high-level prospects on training methods, recovery, nutrition and life skills. All this in addition to providing professional coaching and playing techniques that could better translate to the professional game and make the eventual transition to the NBA, G League or even high-level college basketball easier.

"We've talked a lot about youth development in terms of whether we should be getting involved in some of these young players even earlier than when they come into college," Silver said. "And from a league standpoint, on one hand, we think we have a better draft when we've had an opportunity to see these young players play an elite level before they come into the NBA. On the other hand, I think the question for the league is, in terms of their ultimate success, are we better off intersecting with them a little bit younger?"

More here from Brian Windhorst

 

[Destiny's Child]

Expand the time from high school to 2 years and it's done. These kids can go to Europe and play now without college if that is what they want then great.

NBA thing would ruin college basketball and many kids lives. Once they take the first dime they can't get a college degree. all of these kids think they will be NBA players and verry few can actually make a living playing basketball. This g leave or academy is self serving and would be bad for the kids. Barrel Hussien Obama and high school drop out LeBron James are not who I would take advice from on the topic.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Expand the time from high school to 2 years and it's done. These kids can go to Europe and play now without college if that is what they want then great.

NBA thing would ruin college basketball and many kids lives. Once they take the first dime they can't get a college degree. all of these kids think they will be NBA players and verry few can actually make a living playing basketball. This g leave or academy is self serving and would be bad for the kids. Barrel Hussien Obama and high school drop out LeBron James are not who I would take advice from on the topic.

Once these kids sign a professional baseball contract out of high school they can't play college baseball. As far as the kids are concerned they are probably saying, so what? They don't want to go to college and study. Isn't that the whole point here? If kids leave college after year one I don't see how they are better off educationally speaking anyway.

Silver is giving thought to allowing the NBA to be more impactful in providing a foundation to allow these one and doners options. I don't see where the NBA is obligated to just take every high schooler that has a mind to play pro ball. I'm sure a brutally honest appraisal of a person's talent will be part of the NBA program before any NCAA rule is broken.

The easiest fix for this is again what MLB has done so successfully. Let the NBA have a high school draft and all these dribbling prodigies will know immediately where they stand.

 

[UAgrad93]

I don't really care for the NBA, but I do care about kids. I feel the NBA should take the similar path of the NFL and say that HS kids must be 3 years removed from HS before being eligible for the draft. At the minimum, set it at 2 years. Therefore, they can either attend college and work on a potential degree or go the European ball route and develop some maturity before attempting an NBA career. That way, when they fail to catch on to an NBA team, they already have 2-3 years of college down, are more mature and developed, and could possibly be a star overseas.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Expand the time from high school to 2 years and it's done. These kids can go to Europe and play now without college if that is what they want then great.

NBA thing would ruin college basketball and many kids lives. Once they take the first dime they can't get a college degree. all of these kids think they will be NBA players and verry few can actually make a living playing basketball. This g leave or academy is self serving and would be bad for the kids. Barrel Hussien Obama and high school drop out LeBron James are not who I would take advice from on the topic.

I wouldn't watch an NBA game if they were playing in my garage. I hope they do something to change the one and done because it is not great for SOME TEAMS in college BB.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Who really cares...seriously....
They ( not all....but oneers) wanna play bball....make money....
Not go to college.... get rid of requiring them one year and cheating college coaches...and be done with it...with outlaw....havent watched a nba game and aint gonna...

 

[BamaFan334]

They don't want to go to college and study. Isn't that the whole point here? If kids leave college after year one I don't see how they are better off educationally speaking anyway..

You serious? You don't think going to classes for a year, abiding by a schedule, and being forced to learn and pass test is helping these kids intellectually? Go speak to an incoming Freshman and then go speak to them after their Freshman year and you'll see a world of difference in how they've grown up. Sure, they still party their asses off and make dumb decisions, but from a book, school, and maturity standpoint they are a notch above where they were. If they aren't, they're just stupid, because the mind evolves and maturity kicks in. They are also learning to take care of themselves, remind themselves of things coming up, all while training and getting better physically. Anyone can rattle off their opinion on the matter, but these guys are leaving smarter, even after a year. Can't say they aren't better off this day in age.

 

[BamaFan334]

I think doing away with the one and done is giving the agents exactly what they want and doing a disservice to the kids. That's making a change for all the wrong reasons. So what's next, agents continue poaching the high school ranks at a higher rate? Just like gun control, there are still ways around any law you want to put in place. People that break the rules now will find a way to break the rules later. What's next, letting these guys skip their senior year in high school to go overseas?

I'm with @uagrad93 in that it should be three and done for all of these kids that step foot on campus in any sport. Evolving their minds and skills should be the goal, not winning for a season and letting them roll out into failure when you look at the percentages. Sure, if you want to go overseas to play ball out of high school, see ya later and best of luck. BUT, if you want to step foot on a college campus, you stay a minimum of three years, quit making a mockery of the educational process, work on things other than your craft, and reap the rewards and benefits of what college was intended for. I'm tired of "well they come from nothing" and "let them make money when they can", because it has been proven time and time again that an education lasts a lifetime and sets you up for the next forty to fifty years. Coach Saban says it all the time. Most will fail, because there is only one LeBron James, one Kobe Bryant, one Kevin Garnet, but tens of thousands of others that failed and have nothing to fall back on.

 

[UAgrad93]

Let's look at the numbers for a second in the NBA. There are 30 teams with 491 players on rosters for the '17-'18 season. There are 2 rounds in the NBA draft for a total of 60 picks. There are a shitload of kids that are draft eligible each year that will declare and go undrafted simply because there isn't any room!!

 

[TUSKtimes]

You serious? You don't think going to classes for a year, abiding by a schedule, and being forced to learn and pass test is helping these kids intellectually? Go speak to an incoming Freshman and then go speak to them after their Freshman year and you'll see a world of difference in how they've grown up. Sure, they still party their asses off and make dumb decisions, but from a book, school, and maturity standpoint they are a notch above where they were. If they aren't, they're just stupid, because the mind evolves and maturity kicks in. They are also learning to take care of themselves, remind themselves of things coming up, all while training and getting better physically. Anyone can rattle off their opinion on the matter, but these guys are leaving smarter, even after a year. Can't say they aren't better off this day in age.

If you're going to try and sell the virtues of a year of college education compared to the collateral damage it's doing to the game of college basketball and the damage to one and done kids, you lose me. No one wonders what a minor league baseball player has lost once he signs that contract. He wants to play baseball and he wants to be paid for it. I'm sure some of them have regrets later in life, that is life. Especially if you happen to wash out in your career. Some just don't want to go to college and have no regrets. That too is just life.

Knew a kid that was being recruited by Bowden at FSU. He got drafted by the Toronto Bluejays in the 4th round. The bonus money was really good and they put in his contract if it didn't work out in baseball they would pay for his education anywhere he wanted. He went pro. I'm just saying that even 18-year-old people have serious decisions to make with serious consequences, like the rest of us adults.

Trying to make kids go to college when they have the physicality to play the same sport for money is a waste of time. The world is reacting to the FBI probe and the insidious underside of college basketball. It will continue to move the needle to the open arms policy that the NBA used to have for high schoolers. The kids will have to live with life's decisions just like the rest of us.

 

[alagator]

I'm sure a brutally honest appraisal of a person's talent will be part of the NBA program before any NCAA rule is broken.

How are you sure? How often have you seen players receive appraisals that state they aren't ready but leave and find themselves outside of those drafted?

We're living in a society that's continually saying people can't make rash decisions so they have to wait until 21 to do a lot of things. In the meanwhile, you're suggesting let 17 and 18 year old kids make life-long decisions? And, you're adding it'll eliminate the issues basketball is dealing with today?

 

[TUSKtimes]

How are you sure? How often have you seen players receive appraisals that state they aren't ready but leave and find themselves outside of those drafted?

We're living in a society that's continually saying people can't make rash decisions so they have to wait until 21 to do a lot of things. In the meanwhile, you're suggesting let 17 and 18 year old kids make life-long decisions? And, you're adding it'll eliminate the issues basketball is dealing with today?

Most of society is going to work, or war, somewhere at 18. What I'm suggesting, it will eliminate the one and done blue chippers. And they are the biggest problem we have. When the NBA refused 18-year olds from entering the league, it created the dynamics of what we see today.

As for your first question: How can anyone be sure that MLB offers an honest appraisal to high schoolers? Because they want to eventually draft them. It's the NBA investment that is on full display. Everything they do is to try to advance their talent level. Even tanking ball games are attempts at getting the next big thing. Why would they be anything less than painfully honest when they represent pretty much all their working assets? I think the best way to assure that is a high school draft that allows them to see how they are valued. If they then chose a college, it's that much more of an educated decision. It's what other 18-year-old people do every day.

 

[BamaFan334]

If you're going to try and sell the virtues of a year of college education compared to the collateral damage it's doing to the game of college basketball and the damage to one and done kids, you lose me. No one wonders what a minor league baseball player has lost once he signs that contract. He wants to play baseball and he wants to be paid for it. I'm sure some of them have regrets later in life, that is life. Especially if you happen to wash out in your career. Some just don't want to go to college and have no regrets. That too is just life.

Knew a kid that was being recruited by Bowden at FSU. He got drafted by the Toronto Bluejays in the 4th round. The bonus money was really good and they put in his contract if it didn't work out in baseball they would pay for his education anywhere he wanted. He went pro. I'm just saying that even 18-year-old people have serious decisions to make with serious consequences, like the rest of us adults.

Trying to make kids go to college when they have the physicality to play the same sport for money is a waste of time. The world is reacting to the FBI probe and the insidious underside of college basketball. It will continue to move the needle to the open arms policy that the NBA used to have for high schoolers. The kids will have to live with life's decisions just like the rest of us.

And that's what we should be trying to minimize, kids going pro and making the bad mistake. This is exactly why society is so separated these days, because you're just willing to let them go out and fail and chalk it up to a life lesson to where they spend the rest of their lives chasing mediocrity instead of having something to fall back on, whereas I'm willing to put one rule in place and gift them the opportunity to make the mature decision. You're allowing the agents to win, because they fill these guy's heads with nothing but BS and "you're the best" "gonna be rich" crap, make their money, and then the players are left picking up the pieces. Ultimately they're 18 years old and are considered adults, we have folks fighting for our freedom at 18, but they are also trained before being sent out by adults with experience, unlike guys going straight pro. I said, let them go overseas if they don't want to step foot into college or be bothered by the academic side. There's your choice. A million dollars ain't shit after you pay taxes, agents, and other costs of being a professional athlete. Plenty of material out there for anyone to read that these guys actually bring home less that 50% of what they make. Couldn't find the article I really wanted to share, but it broke down all the expenses of being a professional athlete, and it's pretty dang crazy how expensive it is to play professional sports.

As far as the kid you knew, that was a wise move to add that amendment to the contract, but we all know not every kid is getting that option.

And how many of these kids are physically ready to play the sport at the next level successfully without stepping foot on campus? Sure, there are some, but be honest with yourself that you're setting thousands of kids up to fail and that hurts us as a society. Your life decisions and their life decisions are not always equal, because they could be sacrificing a lot more with their talent than we are with our average abilities. Not hard for us to decide to get educated and whether we buy a $30,000 or $40,000 car, when they are stuck with, should I sign now for $5M and potentially lose it all, or should I go to school and educate myself and learn to make $20M and preserve it? It's all about setting up our society for positive and success for future generations, and right now the almighty daughter has you willing to sacrifice the future of many others.







Examining the financial challenges of NBA newcomers

 

[TUSKtimes]

And that's what we should be trying to minimize, kids going pro and making the bad mistake. This is exactly why society is so separated these days, because you're just willing to let them go out and fail and chalk it up to a life lesson to where they spend the rest of their lives chasing mediocrity instead of having something to fall back on, whereas I'm willing to put one rule in place and gift them the opportunity to make the mature decision. You're allowing the agents to win, because they fill these guy's heads with nothing but BS and "you're the best" "gonna be rich" crap, make their money, and then the players are left picking up the pieces. Ultimately they're 18 years old and are considered adults, we have folks fighting for our freedom at 18, but they are also trained before being sent out by adults with experience, unlike guys going straight pro. I said, let them go overseas if they don't want to step foot into college or be bothered by the academic side. There's your choice. A million dollars ain't shit after you pay taxes, agents, and other costs of being a professional athlete. Plenty of material out there for anyone to read that these guys actually bring home less that 50% of what they make. Couldn't find the article I really wanted to share, but it broke down all the expenses of being a professional athlete, and it's pretty dang crazy how expensive it is to play professional sports.

Do you think the 2 barner players suspended for the year wish they could have gone pro? What are they regretting most? The big center from Arizona and perhaps the head coach they supposedly have on an FBI wiretap, wish they didn't have to pay the price for the one and done. I can say that because Miller said that Ayton won't be back next year. Well, the consequences for shark agents, sneaker money, and pure greed will be around the program long after Ayton's playing in the NBA.

Who knows about us? We lost an assistant coach to the FBI probe and Sexton has been mentioned in many an article. Everything you fear happening has already happened to the degree that it's more than capable of devastating even super successful basketball programs. You don't have to wonder what if, it's out of control now.

And how many of these kids are physically ready to play the sport at the next level successfully without stepping foot on campus? Sure, there are some, but be honest with yourself that you're setting thousands of kids up to fail and that hurts us as a society. Your life decisions and their life decisions are not always equal, because they could be sacrificing a lot more with their talent than we are with our average abilities. Not hard for us to decide to get educated and whether we buy a $30,000 or $40,000 car, when they are stuck with, should I sign now for $5M and potentially lose it all, or should I go to school and educate myself and learn to make $20M and preserve it? It's all about setting up our society for positive and success for future generations, and right now the almighty daughter has you willing to sacrifice the future of many others.

Life doesn't come with a guarantee. Kids wash out of school all the time. As I said earlier, one year in college does not a scholar make. Most of these McDonald's kids are trying to stay eligible until the draft. These kids that want to get paid are a problem and they are making their own options, not the options that seem important to you, the options that they want NOW. And it's now putting the Universities in deep hockey. Sexton is carrying a 4.0 GPA, is he going to walk away from all that intellectual potential for money? You can rest assured that whatever he's thinking about the NBA and money so are a lot of other McDonald All-Americans. Stay tuned.

 

[BamaFan334]

Do you think the 2 barner players suspended for the year wish they could have gone pro? What are they regretting most? The big center from Arizona and perhaps the head coach they supposedly have on an FBI wiretap, wish they didn't have to pay the price for the one and done. I can say that because Miller said that Ayton won't be back next year. Well, the consequences for shark agents, sneaker money, and pure greed will be around the program long after Ayton's playing in the NBA.

Who knows about us? We lost an assistant coach to the FBI probe and Sexton has been mentioned in many an article. Everything you fear happening has already happened to the degree that it's more than capable of devastating even super successful basketball programs. You don't have to wonder what if, it's out of control now.



Life doesn't come with a guarantee. Kids wash out of school all the time. As I said earlier, one year in college does not a scholar make. Most of these McDonald's kids are trying to stay eligible until the draft. These kids that want to get paid are a problem and they are making their own options, not the options that seem important to you, the options that they want NOW. And it's now putting the Universities in deep hockey. Sexton is carrying a 4.0 GPA, is he going to walk away from all that intellectual potential for money? You can rest assured that whatever he's thinking about the NBA and money so are a lot of other McDonald All-Americans. Stay tuned.

And they can all go overseas and play, just like guys have done and are currently doing. I think they should have to stay three years like football players, and baseball players should be made to do the same. You couldn't have made my point better that these guys want it "now", and they are making a "now" decision. I personally don't care if those guys wanted to go pro, and I agree with the shark agents, sneaker money, and all of that spoiling it, so what you do is cut out the greedy old man and focus on the young impressionable kid while helping him become successful. And don't knock Sexton having a 4.0 GPA, because he's a kid that will use that knowledge in the future and maximize it. Being good at everything in life whether you use it or not is not a bad thing. What if basketball doesn't work out for him, it'll be a nice welcome home to a 4.0 GPA that he can work off of and use as a resume booster, because GPA's matter in the working world when you're up against hundreds of others for the same job. You're right, life comes with no guarantees, so what's your issue with working to create lives that can come with something much closer to a guarantee rather than a crap shoot? I'll say it again, I hate the one and done as it makes a mockery of every one and every thing. Three years will build them mentally, physically, and allow them to mature. Not everyone is built for school, and in that case, go overseas and build your resume and then come home to see what you can do. We don't have to give in to the high school jump in America, we can set a higher standard for our citizens and expect more from it.

 

[TerryP]

Do you think the 2 barner players suspended for the year wish they could have gone pro? What are they regretting most?

Drafted by whom? I glanced at a mock draft back when the news of their suspensions broke and didn't see them in the top 60.

Overseas? It seems like an easy answer. There are players over there that are making millions. There are also player making nothing. Nadda. Most American players that go overseas are afforded a place to live and food. After that? It's all in ones negotiating powers.

So, let's throw these guys overseas--at their age--and expect them to make the right decisions--when they aren't here--with no representation of a Union for players, no salary requirements or caps.

What are they regretting most? I'm hoping that's in one of a few areas:

• they regret with whom they chose to associate with.
• they regret that they chose not to follow the established rules
• they regret they didn't educate themselves to a greater degree.

We know a lot of players don't pan out in the professional leagues. That's a fact of life. Take that in this context.

Let's say they jump overseas for three years and make what's equivalent to 100K per year (a rough average compiled from all the teams.) They are out in three years with what to show for their decision?

I don't know how on earth I was able to find this...took a few minutes, but I think it's a pretty good review of playing overseas.

The 411 on Overseas Basketball: Is it worth it?

 

[TUSKtimes]

And they can all go overseas and play, just like guys have done and are currently doing. I think they should have to stay three years like football players, and baseball players should be made to do the same. You couldn't have made my point better that these guys want it "now", and they are making a "now" decision. I personally don't care if those guys wanted to go pro, and I agree with the shark agents, sneaker money, and all of that spoiling it, so what you do is cut out the greedy old man and focus on the young impressionable kid while helping him become successful.

That just doesn't address the collateral damage being done at these Universities. No one is taking the greed and selfishness out of college basketball. Maybe someone will come up with a better model than what we got, I'm not holding my breath. You haven't even seen the damage that's still coming to a lot of good basketball programs because of one agent, ONE agent. Be honest how many more agents are out there, on the loose, spinning their web?

I'm being proactive. So is the NBA. They started it, let them undo it now. I see no difference if these blue-chippers go pro here or in China. Just GO. I'm frankly a little tired of watching Kentucky load up on freshmen every year and put 5 guys in the NBA in the spring.

And don't knock Sexton having a 4.0 GPA, because he's a kid that will use that knowledge in the future and maximize it. Being good at everything in life whether you use it or not is not a bad thing. What if basketball doesn't work out for him, it'll be a nice welcome home to a 4.0 GPA that he can work off of and use as a resume booster, because GPA's matter in the working world when you're up against hundreds of others for the same job. You're right, life comes with no guarantees, so what's your issue with working to create lives that can come with something much closer to a guarantee rather than a crap shoot? I'll say it again, I hate the one and done as it makes a mockery of every one and every thing. Three years will build them mentally, physically, and allow them to mature. Not everyone is built for school, and in that case, go overseas and build your resume and then come home to see what you can do. We don't have to give in to the high school jump in America, we can set a higher standard for our citizens and expect more from it.

No one is knocking Sexton. But tell me, what knowledge? A year of academic study at Alabama? Does he come back at some time and finish things, maybe, many don't. My point is even a person with a 4.0 GPA may choose the money in the short run. Lebron James did as a high schooler and he recently signed a lifetime sneaker contract for half a billion dollars. 500 million dollars, one contract. Many project him to be the first athlete to be worth a billion dollars. Are we talking about education as it applies to intellectual success? Lebron James is also vice president of the players union and is being asked by the commissioner to help solve this one and done issue. He has lots of things to say on political and social issues and he has many business interests that make far more money than his annual NBA contract. All from a guy who didn't go to college.

I'm not against these guys going to college if they are college material. It may be hard for some college graduates to understand but it's simply not for everyone. Everyone is not college oriented. And best of all, lots of ways to be "successful" without it. Provided you do understand what is "success."

 

[TUSKtimes]

Drafted by whom? I glanced at a mock draft back when the news of their suspensions broke and didn't see them in the top 60.

Overseas? It seems like an easy answer. There are players over there that are making millions. There are also player making nothing. Nadda. Most American players that go overseas are afforded a place to live and food. After that? It's all in ones negotiating powers.

So, let's throw these guys overseas--at their age--and expect them to make the right decisions--when they aren't here--with no representation of a Union for players, no salary requirements or caps.

What are they regretting most? I'm hoping that's in one of a few areas:

• they regret with whom they chose to associate with.
• they regret that they chose not to follow the established rules
• they regret they didn't educate themselves to a greater degree.

We know a lot of players don't pan out in the professional leagues. That's a fact of life. Take that in this context.

Let's say they jump overseas for three years and make what's equivalent to 100K per year (a rough average compiled from all the teams.) They are out in three years with what to show for their decision?

I don't know how on earth I was able to find this...took a few minutes, but I think it's a pretty good review of playing overseas.

The 411 on Overseas Basketball: Is it worth it?

First of all, you just went into great detail about what you think is going to happen when a youngster leaves high school. What does that have to do with how a high school player thinks about himself and what he has visions about in the night? You are still speaking like the voice of reason to a group of 18 years olds with incredible basketball talent who has proven over decades that a college degree is not what they are thinking about and it has nothing to do with how they view their life and future.

That's what I mean when I say they simply are not college material. Square peg in a round hole. China, NBA, G-league, YMCA, secular job, just consequences of choices made. Why do so many seem to insist that these guys as a group will lament the decision to not go to college if pro ball fails? That is elite thinking at it's worst.

 

[BamaFan334]

That just doesn't address the collateral damage being done at these Universities. No one is taking the greed and selfishness out of college basketball. Maybe someone will come up with a better model than what we got, I'm not holding my breath. You haven't even seen the damage that's still coming to a lot of good basketball programs because of one agent, ONE agent. Be honest how many more agents are out there, on the loose, spinning their web?

I'm being proactive. So is the NBA. They started it, let them undo it now. I see no difference if these blue-chippers go pro here or in China. Just GO. I'm frankly a little tired of watching Kentucky load up on freshmen every year and put 5 guys in the NBA in the spring.



No one is knocking Sexton. But tell me, what knowledge? A year of academic study at Alabama? Does he come back at some time and finish things, maybe, many don't. My point is even a person with a 4.0 GPA may choose the money in the short run. Lebron James did as a high schooler and he recently signed a lifetime sneaker contract for half a billion dollars. 500 million dollars, one contract. Many project him to be the first athlete to be worth a billion dollars. Are we talking about education as it applies to intellectual success? Lebron James is also vice president of the players union and is being asked by the commissioner to help solve this one and done issue. He has lots of things to say on political and social issues and he has many business interests that make far more money than his annual NBA contract. All from a guy who didn't go to college.

I'm not against these guys going to college if they are college material. It may be hard for some college graduates to understand but it's simply not for everyone. Everyone is not college oriented. And best of all, lots of ways to be "successful" without it. Provided you do understand what is "success."

First off, LeBron James is one guy, and there has never been another like him. Let's not get carried away, because he is not the one making the investment decisions that has him making more than his contract. As a matter of fact, I'm willing to bet my house there is someone with a great education making these decisions, presenting them, and investing his money for him. There is not enough time in his schedule for him to make those kind of decisions so that's just using evidence to build a case. He fronts the money, and may offer a pointer, but I'm guessing that's about about as deep as it gets. His political and social power comes from underage kids, not grown adults that have life experience. The guy commands and army of underage and impressionable teens and children. Never seen a grown ass man living on the words of LeBron James, and as a matter of fact most adults don't care for him. The NBA wants to use the most popular player in the world to utilize his name to build their credibility to fix an issue? Wooooooow, that was a tough call. Him being vice president of the players union is nothing of intellectual note. All that means is that he is a mouthpiece for what the players want, and they have a union representative that actually speaks on their behalf. LeBron James has never been used because of his intelligence. I have no doubt he has gained a lot of basketball and basketball business knowledge in his fifteen years in the league as he has been mentored by some great coaches and players before him. I just find it funny you use LeBron James as a staple in your argument here, because he is the best to ever play, and has had a career already ten years longer than the average player. Using him does not speak to the reality of the situation.

I agree that not everyone is college material, and I find it repulsive they lower standards for athletes over common students and give preferential treatment. I also understand it gives more an opportunity to get into college, get an education, and possibly turn their athletic bone into millions, which allows me to accept the lower standards. This is why I say go overseas and allow that option. We could have that in this country, but it defeats the purpose of having them go to college and keeping the agents out of high schools. I agree, the agent deal is a freaking mess, and these guys need to face prison time. Fines are BS and will not stop folks, but locking these assholes up may curb it some more.

The entire purpose of me continuing to comment is that we need to set these guys up for their futures. Work with them on making the right decisions and helping their families. Develop boys into men. We hear it all the time from Coach Saban, Money doesn't solve everything, but an athletic, educated and financially sound individual can be very powerful.

 

[UAgrad93]

I see kids all of the time in my profession that see themselves as the next Lebron. Being an old coach and working with kids for 24 years, they see a kid make the jump from HS to pros and now the one and dones to millionaires and they think that is in their cards. I have had to be their reality check. Hell! Even my own son once thought he was going pro out of HS in baseball. Great to have dreams but you need to be realistic when that dream doesn't come true.
Like @BamaFan334 said, most of the guys making money far and above their contracts are doing so because of someone with a better education. It helps to have the right people around you. Different sport, but look no further than Trent Richardson. Wrong people coupled with bad advice equals broke!!
I think the NFL model would give these kids more time to develop mentally, as well as physically. We've seen Sexton hit that wall on both ends. How good would he be in the NBA next year over the course of 82 games when he played 29 games for us and struggled. How much better would he be after 2 more seasons? How much closer to a degree would he be should he suffer a career ending injury?