The NBA Draft Age Limit Debate

by mattyj on Jun 30, 2008 6:18 PM CDT Comment 7 comments

As we all know this is the slow time of the year for sports, so I thought I'd throw out a question for debate, just to pass the time.

So I was browsing Rivals.com and came a across a story about 2008 5-star point guard prospect Brandon Jennings. Jennings has committed to play at Arizona next year, but is waiting on final grades to see if he'll be eligible. The story goes on to say that if declared ineligible Jennings plans on going to Europe to play for a year then declaring for the draft. The story then eludes to the fact that even if he is academically eligible Jennings is considering going to Europe anyway.

Rivals Link

This story floods my mind with questions. Why don't the top high school seniors in the country just go and get paid to play for a team in Europe for a year then enter the draft? Isn't is better for them to get to focus on nothing but improving their games for the League rather than go to college and worry about school, dumb NCAA regulations, limited practice time, etc? And if you're a freshman or sophomore in high school who's aiming to play in the League, why not move to Europe and start playing professionally over there at 15 and 16 to get ready like the Euro kids do? Would a Euro-type pro league with no age limits that would serve as a "farm league" to the NBA work in the US?

I love college hoops as much as anyone and want to see it thrive, but with the age rule forcing kids to masquerade as college students for a year the game is hurting. It seems to me the prospect of playing professionally overseas to prepare for the draft is infinitely greater than playing at a college for a year getting paid with a scholarship I'd never end up using. Will that become the new trend?

Just wanted to see what y'all thought.

All comments, FanPosts, and FanShots are the views of the reader-authors who create them.

1 recs | Comment 7 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Answer: Endorsement Money.

A freshman playing here, who has a great year, and does well in the NCAA tournament, is going to be much more well known to the US audience than a 1st year Euro player. So, even if both players make the jump after 1 year to the NBA, who do you think gets the bigger payday from endorsement contracts?

Case in point: Kevin Durant. Kevin is absolutely the biggest beneficiary of the 1 and done rule. He had the talent to be drafted as a relatively unknown commodity right out of HS. However, by playing 1 year, he cleaned house in post season awards, elevates himself to the 2nd overall pick.

In the process, he becomes synonymous with college basketball that year so much that, if you knew 1 NCAA player’s name, it was his. Largely due to that notoriety, Kevin scores the huge Nike deal. No way would he have had that payday if he played overseas.

However, for a player who can’t qualify academically, playing overseas is the best option.

by Brandon 97 on Jun 30, 2008 7:23 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Good point

So my next question would be, do you think there would be a market for a US “farm” league (AAU maybe?) that is independent from the NBA that these kids could start playing at when they’re 15/16 and get paid until they’re eligible for the draft? I know the endorsement money is still an issue, but wouldn’t it be possible for a play for pay league to be able to attract the top HS talent and therefore pull away the publicity from the NCAA? It would probably take awhile to develop and might fail, but its just a thought.

'Til Gabriel blows his horn...

by mattyj on Jun 30, 2008 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I used to have a problem with this sort of approach,

but, hell, they do this in gymnastics and such. And, of course, the communists used this approach to great success. The developmental league should extend their grip to elementary school prospects and pay those future ballers enough to relieve the welfare rolls of their families. Everybody wins and no one has to get bogged down in education and stuff.

Brown Control to Major Applewhite...

by bfaut86 on Jul 1, 2008 11:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm in the party....

Two choices: declare for the draft right out of high school; or, if they don’t, they must go to college for a minimum of 2 years.

by BigTexBD on Jun 30, 2008 10:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I doubt it will become a trend.

besides the money mentioned above, these are 18 year old kids, You think a kid gets homesick living in Austin? The actual pay may not be that good, either. Whereas an NBA budget is $100 million, most europena team budgets are about 10 million. Most of which are going to “stars”. I don’t think most unknown High School kids would be a draw. Finally, the european tems have zero incentive to develop the player, knowing he will be gone in one year. NCAA coaches know a 1 and done can elevate his program during the year the player is there and have NCAA tournament incentive. Also how well a player develops in college will be a factor in the decision of the next 1 and done. Do you think the next guy would rather go to Texas and follow KDs example or a&m and Follow Deandre? (And before Beergut jumps in, I know the difernce between Deandre’s and KD’s development may have nothing to do with the coach, just that is how a 17 year old kid might percieve it).

by billb on Jul 1, 2008 7:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Age limit

I believe we discussed this a bit here http://www.burntorangenation.com/2008/6/9/548530/morning-coffee-endorses-to.

What I pointed out is that at the end of the day, if people want this changed, they have to go directly to the NBA. Someone may make very good cases how it’s “unfair” for the 18 year olds, that it’s not good for college ball, that it drives the players to do illegal things ala O.J. Mayo, etc. However, none of this matters, because the NBA instituted the rule because they felt it would eventually be a detriment to their league. Not only were teams starting to gamble on high schoolers in a mad dash to find the next Lebron (and were scared to death they would miss the next Lebron), the NBA is more interested in seeing production now then waiting for superstars to develop. Remember, only Lebron came straight out of high school and made an immediate impact (not Kobe, not KG, and not Tmac).

Furthermore, there are good arguments to show that it is NOT bad for the kids or for college basketball. The NBA benefits from “free marketing,” but the colleges benefit from having a star for at least one year. You think Ohio State and Texas are thankful to have had Oden and Durant? What about USC and Mayo (minus the controversy)? I think so. Plus, some may argue that, even if they don’t understand it, the extra year gives the high schoolers more time to mature and improve for the NBA, particularly in the physical development; the reason Lebron was successful early was because he had a 24 year old body, which is incredibly rare even among superstars. Kobe and KG came into the league freakin’ skinny.

At any rate, until someone makes a case to the NBA that it’s bad for their league and damages their bottom line to have this rule, they have zero obligation to change it. Only Congress and the Players Union can make them change it, and I just don’t see any legal case to be made. The Players Union doesn’t seem to mind too much. Thus, sports pundits, the NCAA, and university presidents are nearly powerless.

While the Finals itself was lackluster as the Lakers and Celtics didn’t play good basketball (still drew in good ratings), the season as a whole was a huge success for the NBA. It’s a tall order to convince them what they’re doing is wrong.

by TheElusiveShadow on Jul 1, 2008 9:26 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Keep the rule as it is

College Basketball really benefits from this rule because top recruits are filling up Division 1 rosters instead of jumping to the NBA. The Oden and Durant recruiting class was the first class under the rule, and it made college basketbal better and more fun to watch. No one knew an 18 year old freshman from Maryland can average 25 points and 12 rebounds in his first year in college.

It also really benefits the players too. It gives them atleast one year to mature and develop their game for the NBA. Some successfull guys who benefited from this were Melo, KD, Brandon Roy and many others.

i hope we win a championship soon

by Da Jrich tribute on Jul 7, 2008 5:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs