Do you think that players should have at least two years of college prior to joining the NBA?

Question

I think that players would be better equiped to deal with the NBA if they spent at least two years in college. They may have the skills, like Kobe, etc, but college teaches them other things about the game, like teamwork. Luke Walton is an example. What say you?

Answer 1

i think it should be like the nfl. you have to be at least 2 years removed from high school. with the exception of lebron james i can't recall any player that had an immediate, considerable impact on his team after coming straight out of high school. kobe bryant toiled in anonymity until shaq came along. kevin garnett played for several years before he was a big time player. and many others have come out and been mediocre contributors at best.
i understand the attraction of the big payday but i think it would do these kids so much more good long term to have a couple years of college where they can mature as an athlete and a human being so they can also learn to take care of themselves after basketball.
remember, they'll only be playing b-ball for about 15 years at the most. so what do they do when they reach 35 and they have no idea how to manage their money, have no other marketable job skills, and still have more than half of their life left to live?

Answer 2

I say no minimum age requirement but at least 2 years of college experience.


Not for maturity issues or anything like that (going to college for a year or two won't help in that area...just look at Ron Artest, he went to St. Johns) but because having these kids come in the league that aren't ready to play hurts the overall product and what we as fans PAY FOR...the best in the world TOP play on the court.

I'm tired of watching a sorry rebuilding product year after year by so many teams that have to waste picks on guys that "could be" this or that. It's part of the reason why most of these teams have never won a thing.

You get a guy like a Kwame Brown who gets drafted FIRST overall!! from high school but turns out to be a complete bumb. Had he played in college, NBA scouts would have seen the many flaws in his game and he may have been a late second rounder at best.

It hurt the product the last 10 years letting these guys come out of high school. Thats why the NBA changed the rule. Every decision they make is based on money, nothing more nothing less.

Answer 3

It would help the league because the players would have stronger fundamental skills and experience in playing team ball. It would help the players because they'd have a couple of years to develop physically, mentally and emotionally- it's good to have spent time dealing with the challenges of living on campus and sucessfully managing your time for classes & practice etc before becoming a professional player. And just the exposure to the different types of people would be good for many kids coming out of high school.

But the economics are different now- the reality is that few players will spend more than a year (if any) in college.

Answer 4

I think two years should be mandatory. There have been exceptions to people who never went to college or stayed in one year. But not only is it better for them to get more of an education and to le them grow up a little and mature, it allows them to get stronger. I remember seeing a study that sayed a player will make more money if he stays in college longer than a player who comes right out because that player iwll be more apt to injury. That's just my two cents. But I know that if I was a basketball player and I had the opportunity to go pro, no matter how old or how long I had been in college, I would want to go.

Answer 5

I personally disagree for three basic reasons

1. Players themselves should have the freedom to play in the NBA if they have the skills

Players such as KG, Kobe, Lebron and lot more came out of college and became phenomenal players. Of course that is not to say that players with fundamental basics such a Tim Duncan sucks because he went to college. Duncan is a player that plays to the basics, but that is not because he went to college, but because that is his style. Phenomenal players should be allowed to join the NBA if they are qualified.I don't think players staying in college would have helped them anymore then not staying in there. Why? (next question)

2. They can learn in the NBA.

I mean staying in colelge forces them to compete in lower level competition. Where else in college can you find competitions at the level of NBA? There are veterans, yong players and more who are fantastic players. They can play with them, play against them, and learn from them. Competition in college is lower, and it isn't challenging enough for great young players. Coaches in NBA are better, and more knowledgable as well (many might disagree with me). They can be coached by great form legendary coaches! Not to put down college coaches or anything, but they don't suceed in NBA. NBA level is just higher.

3. Shaun Livingston

This opinion circulated around the web after Livingston's freakish accident and I agree with it - If Livingston went to college and his knee blew up, where would he be now? That is not to say that playing basketball is anymore dangerous then other sports or even other physically straining occupations out there. It is just that someof these guys who play a sport all their life to get here! What if something happens to them before they reach the NBA? They don't have much left. At least if they were to get drafted and receive a contract they will have some money to work with. They can go to college after if they want. Let thesekids make the choice themselves. They have a lot riding on it.

Answer 6

No i think this is ridiculous why don't you let them make the decision for themselves, why should they give up making millions of dollars for learning teamwork and risking their careers by possibly injuring themselves. This sounds like colonialists colonizing other countries because they think its better for them. If you 18 and could go risk your life fighting in Iraq I think you should be able to drink and play basketball in the NBA if you wish to.

Answer 7

Michael Beasley

Answer 8

I think the age rule. Age 20 would be good. It would help college basketball and would be better for the NBA...

Answer 9

well i think 19 and 1year out of high school is fine but being 21 and 3years out of high school is the best idea for some1 to make because if your 19-20 and you win the championship you cant celebrate with champagne after unless you win in toronto

Answer 10

no...