In 2006, the NBA implemented an age limit of 19, ending the era of high school basketball players going directly to the pros.
While this rule has treated the fans of college basketball to the likes of Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose and John Wall, the truth is that the rule hurts the growth and quality of college basketball.
This is why I propose the NBA change its age-limit rule and follow the lead of the NFL and MLB by mandating that if a player chooses to attend college, he must stay three years.
However, if a player wants to enter the NBA straight out of high school, he should be allowed to have that choice.
The aforementioned names had no business playing college basketball. Instead, they should have been in the league in which basketball is a business — the NBA. The fact is that it was in the best interest of these superstars to get to the NBA as fast as possible, not only because they had NBA-ready skill sets but because they would have been high draft picks.
Chances are that Kevin Durant did not vastly improve his jump shot during his brief stint at Texas and I doubt John Wall will learn the art of the pick and roll in what will likely be his only year at Kentucky.
In fact, many players who spend just one year in college end up being more trouble than they are worth.
Early last month, USC announced it would penalize itself by forfeiting victories and money, forgoing postseason play and limiting recruiting in response to allegations that former player and current NBA star O.J. Mayo received improper cash and gifts during his only year as a Trojan.
Last August, the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions declared that the University of Memphis must vacate its ‘07-‘08 NCAA runner-up finish and 38 wins because Rose was ineligible, thanks to an invalid SAT score.
Apart from attracting serious NCAA infractions, the so-called “one-and-dones” have put college basketball programs in quite a bind. Ohio State is no exception.
The last three seasons, Ohio State has lost three big men to the pros, each of whom spent only one year in college. The defections of Oden, Kosta Koufos and B.J. Mullens have left a major void in the post for the Buckeyes this season. Adding insult to injury were the departures of freshmen guards Mike Conley and Daequan Cook after Ohio State’s run to the National Championship Game in 2007.
While it is true that coaches make the decisions on whom they recruit, the fact is that with my rule coaches would not have to choose between a potential “one and done” or a four-year player. Coaches could convince their high-profile recruit with potential “baggage” to come to campus, thereby securing the player for three years. Or, they could recruit a guy like Evan Turner, and watch the player potentially blossom from role player to National Player of the Year candidate.
Not only does my rule improve college basketball on the court, but off the court as well. Forcing players to stay for three years would almost certainly increase graduation rates since most college basketball players take classes year-round, allowing them the opportunity to graduate in three years instead of four.
Last March, for the first time in as long as I can remember, the consensus amongst my friends and I was that the quality of the NCAA Tournament paled in comparison to the NBA playoffs. By putting my rule into action, college basketball can improve as a whole and fans of both the NCAA and NBA can enjoy a better brand of basketball.
