I just don’t get it. To help, imagine something for me. You have been a standout student in high school. All A’s. 34 on ACT. No, 35. Maybe 36. It depends how smart you are, but it’s still the same. And you’ve been all over the country to conferences, to meet with other people, you’ve teamed up in science fairs, math clubs, debate teams, all ranked in the top of their respective categories in the United States. Every college wants you, and you want to go to one that will help you realize your dream in the quickest, best way. Everybody wants your brain. Finally, you choose one school. After just an amazing academic year, including involvement in several programs outside of class, you apply for a spot at a company. Your dream job. And they say, “We would LOVE to have you.” Even after only one year, they think you’d be perfect for the job. They write a number on a slip of paper and say this is how much you’ll make in the first year alone. Seven digits. Before the decimal, too. If you turn it down, you might not ever get this opportunity again. You would be STUPID to turn it down, right? Right? And wouldn’t any people who helped you on your way be celebrated? And would people yell at you for your decision?

Now, how is any of that different than the University of Kentucky recruiting the best players in the country who, NOT EVEN a majority of the time stay only one year to leave for the NBA. Is the NCAA really worried about kids? Why is there such a backlash against kids making more in one year than most in the country make in one decade? If they get a job offer they’d be stupid not to take it. A college degree is supposed to prepare you for your job. Mine is preparing me for a career as an actuary. If these players have the ability to play professionally, a degree in whatever would not matter at all. You don’t get more money if you graduated before playing in the NBA. NOT EVEN to mention UK has several programs (most notably the Caywood Ledford Scholarship Fund) which provides money for former players to return in pursuit of a degree. So they can come back if they need it. 

 I don’t get why University of Kentucky Basketball gets all this crap about one-and-done. Cal in my opinion has it right. Corruption is not recruiting these players, it would be making them stay when they can go. And education means a lot, but not more than money does. There is a radio commercial that has this message: “College grads make one million dollars more in their lifetime than students without.” Well, Anthony Davis will make that much before he plays one basketball game. So, why hold him back?

Posted on December, 12th 2011 at 3:15 am