Proposed NBA Age Limit - min 2 yrs

[cincibuck]

Originally Posted by mooktarr

Too bad, I liked the idea of keeping them here for another year

Why? If I thought they would gain something beyond basketball, add something to the school besides basketball. Right now the NBA is simply using college ball to relieve tham of the need for a minor league.

If a kid wants to prove himself as an athlete and has no interest beyond that, why make him suffer with school and why make schools into prostitutes?

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

espn.com

Olson won't pursue 'one-and-done' players at Arizona, report says

ESPN.com news services

Updated: July 11, 2008, 2:23 PM ET

Former Arizona signee Brandon Jennings' decision to play in Europe may have sparked a fundamental change of heart in coach Lute Olson.
Jennings, who wasn't certain to play for Olson, announced his intent to begin a professional career in Europe on Tuesday.
Two days later, the 73-year-old Hall of Fame coach all but turned off his program's radar for top-tier NBA prospects.
"It's a situation now that if someone's a 'one-and-done,' we're not going to pursue them anymore, no way," Olson told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday.
Jennings was expected to be the starting point guard for the Wildcats after Jerryd Bayless left for the NBA draft. Bayless, the 11th overall pick who landed with the PortlandTrail Blazers in a draft-night trade with the Indiana Pacers, played one season at Arizona, averaging 19.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and four assists.

Continued......

[ScriptOhio]

Re: Olson won't pursue 'one-and-done' players at Arizona, report says

1. Does anyone really believe that? Or do you really think he tell someone of Greg Oden's ability/qualifications that "we don't want you here at Arizona"?

2. Even if it is true, it is impossible to be be 100% accurate on who is a "one-and-done" player. Ex: During recruitment did anyone think Mike Connelly would be a "one-and-done" guy"?

['BusNative]

Originally Posted by ScriptOhio

Ex: During recruitment did anyone think Mike Connelly would be a "one-and-done" guy"?

Who?

[LitlBuck]

cbf40 thought Mike Conley Jr. would be a one and done when not many others thought the same thing. Of course, 40 things that everybody who was recruited by Thad is a one and done

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
High schoolers might choose overseas route
Playing in Europe instead of in college worrisome to coaches
Sunday, July 13, 2008 3:27 AM



FROM WIRE REPORTS
Brandon Jennings is considered one of the best point guard prospects of the high school class of 2008. His ball-handling and his ability to lead the fast break made him a prized catch for Arizona and coach Lute Olson.
But Jennings, it seems, will never suit up for the Wildcats. It remains to be seen whether he'll best be known as a trendsetter.
Jennings, who is from Los Angeles and played the past two seasons at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, announced last week that he will bypass college and plans to play in Europe next season. It's a move that could cause a ripple effect for other high school players.
"If it turns out to be successful, there would be more (players) going," Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun told The New York Times. "It will not just be your eyes as a reporter and my eyes as a coach watching. It will be all the eyes of basketball, particularly the eyes of young people saying, 'Is that a great way to get experience?' "
It also could be a way to make money. Professional teams in Italy and other European clubs have expressed interest in Jennings, who most likely would get a minimum of $300,000, including salary and endorsements.

Continued.......

[LitlBuck]

"If it turns out to be successful, there would be more (players) going,"

They really need to implement some type of rule to prevent this from happening and I am not sure if the two-year minimum rule would prevent it. I still think they need to implement the baseball rule or, even, the one that governs football.

[ScriptOhio]

LAS VEGAS - After chatting for two hours on Monday with Brandon Jennings, Sonny Vaccaro, Kelly Williams and Kacey Jones ? the teenage basketball star and his handlers ? I'm even more convinced Jennings made the right call by choosing Europe over the University of Arizona.
We met inside my small hotel suite at the New York-New York casino, cameras rolling and rollercoaster whizzing outside my hotel window. Jennings, who is in Vegas meeting with prospective European teams, came dressed looking like the typical 18-year-old ? white T-shirt, matching white shorts, sneakers and an oversized ball cap. He was shy, a bit nervous, very soft spoken and articulate.
Dumb? Not to my eyes and ears. Whatever trouble he may or may not have had with the SAT ? the NCAA red-flagged a score of 1,300 the second time Jennings took the test ? was probably a result of indifference, immaturity and lack of preparation.
More than anything, Jennings struck me as determined and resolute. He knows there are people hoping he fails in his bid to go from high school All-American to European professional success to NBA lottery pick in a calendar year. He wants to make those people look foolish and evil.
"No, I'm not nervous," Jennings said about playing overseas, though he's never been outside of the country. "I'm not scared at all. It's basketball. I've been doing this my whole life."
Why demonize a kid for pursuing his dream? We don't do it to baseball players who join the minor leagues for relative peanuts straight out of high school. Why basketball players?
That bothers some, including Jennings.
"This is something we've always dreamed about ? playing in the NBA, taking care of our families. When we see other kids going pro at 13, 14, 15, it bothers us. We're doing the same thing they're doing."
Regardless of his score on the SAT, no one can say that Brandon Jennings is trying to hurt anyone by approaching his basketball career in a more honest fashion than Lute Olson and the NCAA administrators who protect a morally bankrupt system.
Jennings is going to spend the next year developing his basketball skills.
"It's not about money," Jennings said. "It's about developing. Getting better. Playing against better competition. I'll be playing against professionals. ... Some guys over there should be playing in the NBA." For better or worse, Jennings isn't going to waste time putting on the charade of being a college student. At this time, he has no interest in a formal, traditional education. He wants to learn basketball.

Entire article: FOX Sports on MSN - COLLEGE BASKETBALL - I'm even more convinced Jennings made right move

[LitlBuck]

Brandon Jennings has probably set a precedent that the NCAA and the NBA will regret it in just a few years.

This now will be a road for high school basketball players who just are now want to go to college regardless of their test scores. The NCAA needs to make some sort of change and either go back to letting kids go directly to the NBA out of high school or setting a two or three-year rule.

[billmac91]

It is beyond ridiculous that the NBA allows foreign teenagers into the league, but keeps out American teenagers. The rule states 1 year of college or year after your high school graduation (something along those lines).

Brandon Jennings is 19 and going overseas.

Dannilo Gallinari is 19 and entereing the NBA as a first round pick of the Knicks.

That doesn't seem right. If the NBA wants an age limit, that's fine, but the agenda between college and NBA basketball is so transparent it's ridiculous.

Sonny Vaccaro on the Rome show a few weeks ago said he expects high school sophmores and juniors to start leaving for professional European teams soon so they can take advantage in the same way Gallinari and other Europeans have.

[LitlBuck]

Sonny Vaccaro

You know that he does tell these kids how good they are no matter the front that he puts up.

Maybe a sophomore or high school junior will take the NBA to court

[akronbuck]

Originally Posted by billmac91

It is beyond ridiculous that the NBA allows foreign teenagers into the league, but keeps out American teenagers. The rule states 1 year of college or year after your high school graduation (something along those lines).

Brandon Jennings is 19 and going overseas.

Dannilo Gallinari is 19 and entereing the NBA as a first round pick of the Knicks.

That doesn't seem right. If the NBA wants an age limit, that's fine, but the agenda between college and NBA basketball is so transparent it's ridiculous.

Sonny Vaccaro on the Rome show a few weeks ago said he expects high school sophmores and juniors to start leaving for professional European teams soon so they can take advantage in the same way Gallinari and other Europeans have.

I agree with all of that. NBA makes me sick the way they change the rules every year .

[ScriptOhio]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

You know that he does tell these kids how good they are no matter the front that he puts up.

Maybe a sophomore or high school junior will take the NBA to court

They would lose. The case of Clarett vs the NFL is the precedent. If it is part of the labor agreement (i.e. was negotiated by the league and the players union), which it was; it won't be overturned.

[Oh8ch]

Brandon Jennings has probably set a precedent that the NCAA and the NBA will regret it in just a few years.

This now will be a road for high school basketball players who just are now want to go to college regardless of their test scores. The NCAA needs to make some sort of change and either go back to letting kids go directly to the NBA out of high school or setting a two or three-year rule.

True - the only people who benefit are - the players.

If these kids have the talent to make money why should the NCAA and NBA stand in their way? The primary reason to force kids into college for a year or two is to increase revenue for the NCAA and name recognition in the NBA.

I know, there is always the argument that any kid benefits from a year or two of college. Well, maybe they do. But this is where I really feel strongly about a one or two year rule and about "second chances" for kids across the spectrum in BB or FB.

There are only so many scholarships available in these sports. For every athlete that jumps to the NBA or goes to Europe that scholarship is made available to someone else. As the more talented players pass on those schollies the next kid in line is arguably one who will benefit more from that same ship. Same argument underscored for kids who have off the field issues.

Bottom line - we can come up with all these arguments on how to keep amateurs performing on college teams without pay, but it is all about greed. The NCAA, the pro franchises - and the fans.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by ScriptOhio

They would lose. The case of Clarett vs the NFL is the precedent. If it is part of the labor agreement (i.e. was negotiated by the league and the players union), which it was; it won't be overturned.

Originally Posted by Oh8ch

True - the only people who benefit are - the players.

If these kids have the talent to make money why should the NCAA and NBA stand in their way? The primary reason to force kids into college for a year or two is to increase revenue for the NCAA and name recognition in the NBA.

I know, there is always the argument that any kid benefits from a year or two of college. Well, maybe they do. But this is where I really feel strongly about a one or two year rule and about "second chances" for kids across the spectrum in BB or FB.

There are only so many scholarships available in these sports. For every athlete that jumps to the NBA or goes to Europe that scholarship is made available to someone else. As the more talented players pass on those schollies the next kid in line is arguably one who will benefit more from that same ship. Same argument underscored for kids who have off the field issues.

Bottom line - we can come up with all these arguments on how to keep amateurs performing on college teams without pay, but it is all about greed. The NCAA, the pro franchises - and the fans.

While I agree with what you guys are saying, the NFL does not have any kids who are 18 or 19 years old playing in their league. I think if the kid has a talent he should be paid for his talent but I guess that's an entirely different issue and one that has been hashed and rehashed.