I asked my younger cousin earlier today who were the Top 5 players in the NBA today. He was able to quickly reel off “Kobe, Lebron, Dwight Howard, CP3, Carmelo (Anthony)”. While some may change out one player here and there, his list was pretty solid. What do all of these players have in common? None of them played more than 2 years in college. In the case of Lebron, Kobe and Howard, they were straight to the pros guys. Melo was one-and-done, while CP3 needed an extra year of strength and conditioning at Wake Forest.
Nearly a year ago, Brandon Jennings announced to the world that he was skipping college to play overseas. Jennings, along with Ricky Rubio, are expected to be Top 10 picks in the upcoming draft, yet both have been technically professionals already. College Basketball recruiting scandals are being uncovered at an alarming rate, and you have to wonder if players like Derrick Rose, O.J Mayo, or Jennings would have gone straight into the league if given that option.
NBA Commissioner David Stern has said on record repeatedly that the NBA age limit of 19 is a benefit to the league, however, it is really? You have college institutions being used for nothing more than an NBA development league, while college coaches take their best shot at making a Final Four with a pro talent for seven months. The school makes millions in TV revenue, none of which goes to the “student-athlete”, and the player spends his time at school using it as a constant platform to display his skills to potential employers (NBA teams).
The same league that says No to 17 and 18 year olds now would not think twice about not admitting the next Lebron James or Dwight Howard in the league, would they?
