No More Age Limit

What’s up Yard?! I know I’ve been away for a minute but I’M BACK! I’ve been working out hard and traveling a little bit. I went to DC for a few days to work out and meet my new coaching staff. For all of my Wizards’ fans out there, I hear Gilbert Arenas has lost 20 pounds since the end of the season and is in phenomenal shape –playoffs here we come!

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk about what’s really piqued my interest in the news lately. A lot of attention has gone to the fact that USC coach Tim Floyd has resigned due to the allegations that he gave improper benefits to OJ Mayo. While I don’t know if it’s true and if it’s true it’s definitely wrong, that’s not the real issue to me. The question is – why was he in college anyways? This is a guy whose life-long dream was to play in the NBA and was only in college because of the age limit rule forcing him to go. I think situations like this would be less likely to happen if guys didn’t have to do a year in college or be 19 to play in the NBA. Personally, I think it’s wrong and they should be allowed to play. No one says anything when tennis stars go pro and start making millions of dollars as teenagers.

I don’t think the age limit should be enforced because it also has the potential to take millions of dollars out of these kids’ pockets, especially if an injury is sustained at the college level. Along with Mayo, there’s some controversy over Derrick Rose’s SAT scores. He’s another kid who I don’t think should’ve been in college at all. Even though he had a great NCAA run with Memphis, let’s be honest, we all know he shouldn’t have been playing college basketball – he should’ve been allowed to do what he’s doing now – becoming an NBA star.

Since high school players can’t go straight to the pros and are having a hard time with SAT scores and gaining college eligibility, you have cases like Brandon Jennings where he decided to go millions of miles away to play basketball in Italy instead of playing college basketball at Arizona. This is all due to the age limit – he should’ve been playing in the NBA last season if he was good enough. And now you have a player named Jeremy Tyler who is 17 years old and leaving high school early to go play basketball overseas. This kid is supposed to have the potential to be a number 1 pick in the draft but feels he has to skip his senior year in high school and go millions of miles away to fulfill his dream of playing professional basketball because of the age limit.

The main reason why most people go to college is position themselves to get a good high-paying job. I’m not sure if there’s a better high-paying job out there for a young basketball player than playing in the NBA. Holla at me Yard and let me know what you think!

B

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• truthaboutit said June 12, 2009

  I think it should be more like baseball or football ... you can turn pro out of high school, but if you go to college, you must stay there for at least three years.
  
  But if kids go to the league (NBA or NBDL) from H.S., should they be required to take college courses?
  
  The real problem is the corrupt AAU system. It's almost getting to the point where the best kids don't even play for their high school teams anymore.

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• truthaboutit said June 12, 2009

  Also ... with the legality of the age limit coming into question, wonder what you think of Stern's response to Congressman Steve Cohen that Congress itself has a 25-year old age limit.
  
  Would the NBA be better with more experienced players entering in year one ... like, perhaps, kids out of high school can get drafted and sign a big $$$ contract, but would be required to go to the NBDL for seasoning.
  
  This would also allow for more established vets to keep playing longer in that their roster spot would not be taken by a kid with very little chance of playing (unless the world is going to keep making them like your boy LeBron).

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• AlanaG said June 12, 2009

  I completely agree with you Brendan. I don't see any reason why a high school graduate or 18 year old shouldn't be allowed to play in the NBA. Some people suspect that there is some backdoor deal going on just so the NCAA can be guaranteed some stars. But if anything, the age limit is even more disruptive to college basketball because you have so many one-and-done stars.

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• ShaddixTBell said June 12, 2009

  Good article, and I agree. But I was wondering what you think of David Stern's new plan of making the age limit to 20 or equivalent of 2 years in college before being allowed in the NBA? Obviously the whole age limit rule needs to go altogether, but do you think 2 years in college would help smooth anything out or do you feel its just one more year that these kids have to wait to fulfill their dream?

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  • BrendanHaywood replied June 12, 2009

    ShaddixTBell, I think that making the age limit 20 is a even worse idea than the age limit we have now, Why force kids to go to school that don't wanna be there?
  • DTRIK19 replied June 12, 2009

    If you want that paycheck...EARN it like you did...get your degree. The rest of us have to, why not athletes? It's not like you guy do much work anyway haha
  • Chantelle7 replied June 12, 2009

    dtrik19 - athletes earn their paychecks in countless ways everyday that have nothing to do with going to college and/or getting their degree. why should athletes be penalized because their level of talent does not force them to take the same route as "the rest of us" as you put it? i don't know anyone, non-athletes included, that would've still went to college if they had a multi-million dollar paycheck waiting for them after high school. would you have?
    Brendan - great blog!
  • DTRIK19 replied June 13, 2009

    Well to be honest, I still would have have went to college...but simply for the girls and parties, just probably would have pulled a Van Wilder. How many people, other than athletes, have the chance to make that kind of money with just a high school diploma? Very few. Most trust fund babies have to attend college for their parents to give them that money and also because the degree is needed for the position in the family business they will someday hold. If the NBA had more Emeka Okafors it would be a much better league, at least guys would know what to do with all that money instead of putting 22's on a toaster as Chris Rock would say.
  • Chantelle7 replied June 13, 2009

    why go to college for the girls and the parties when they are SO much better at the pro level? lol. no for real though, they are. thats a terrible reason to skip the huge paycheck and go to college.
  • 2StepsAway replied June 14, 2009

    You know, if someone had offered me a job in my chosen field (which I was not sure of at all after high school graduation) I STILL would have gone to college? Why? It is what was instilled in me by my parents. As immigrants, neither of them went beyond high school. When my brother graduated with his master's degree, my mother sat there & creid. Intially I wondered - ok, what are the tears for? You saw Ericka get her bachelors, pinned her nursing pin on her, you saw me get two degrees, and you already saw Billie get his bachelors - we have been down this path already... But then I saw the look in her eyes - that of pride & accomplishment. None of us would have been able to acheive the things we did w/o the support of out parents.
    
    But perhaps that is where the entire notion of joining the NBA (or pro sports) for the paycheck comes from - wanting to give back to those that already gave us so much....
    
    For me, it was the schooling followed by the degree that says the kids from Brooklyn beat the odds. For those with sports talent, making it to the pros signify that they have beat the odds....
• EazyEagleZ said June 12, 2009

  Considering 3 of the NBA's biggest stars today came straight from High School it should say something about the system. College programs are now being put in positions where they are basically renting NBA players for a year. The NBA should let H.S. ballers get drafted and let them play in the D league if they need to develop more.

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  • wearegetgetgo replied June 12, 2009

    I think the D-League idea would only make sense if there was a better system. The majority of those guys there are Mikki Moore type players. Let the HS players play. We want John Wall in Sacramento now. .
  • EazyEagleZ replied June 12, 2009

    The D league system is bad right now, but I am sure it could be fixed. Let's say an 18 year old can get drafted, but wont be able to play in the pro league until he is twenty. Let him go to the D league for 2 years or until he is ready, but cap the amount of time a team can keep a player in the D league. That will also improve the D league quality of players and level of competition.
  • BrendanHaywood replied June 12, 2009

    Good post EazyEagleZ, I totally agree with you. I thought that was the reason they created the D league anyway.
  • HouseofDread replied June 13, 2009

    I think NBA teams are worried about drafting HS players that end up being busts. What they should do for players that don't want to go to college is let them go to the D-League for one year BEFORE they get drafted.Let them grow up and mature a little and get an idea if they can play or not. Then let them be eligible for the NBA draft.
  • EazyEagleZ replied June 23, 2009

    Imagine if one could see a young Kobe in the D league scoring 40 to 50 a game. Now imagine if every team had a star caliber player in the D league. Attendance would go through the roof. People need to stop looking at the D league as it is today. Lou Williams (from the Sixers) career could have been playing ball in the D league developing his game instead of having to sit on the bench in Philly all those years.
• ESKimo said June 12, 2009

  If you're willing to let them go to the D League, which everyone agrees is horrible and needs improvement, then why the hell is going to college such a bad thing?
  
  I've never understood this argument...
  
  http://spencerkyte.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-is-nba-age-limit-to-blame-here.html

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  • BrendanHaywood replied June 12, 2009

    ESKimo, college isn't a bad thing. I don't think anybody is saying that, but why deny a kid his dream? If he is ready then let him play. If not then don't draft him. The only reason this rule is even in place is because NBA gm's started drafting guys who had no business being there, and praying that they turn into lebron or jermaine o'neal.
  • ESKimo replied June 12, 2009

    B: it's not denying a kid his dream as much as it is postponing it for one year. Brandon Jennings will be a better pro next year for having not been in the NBA this past season. Same with Blake Griffin. Same with 95% of the kids who spend some time in college.
    
    What I`m saying is that most of these kids aren`t truly ready to step in right away and contribute. Only the upper echelon of one-and-done kids are able to contribute right away. When you say don't draft them if they're not ready, what then does the player do? Look at guys like Korleone Young and Taj McDavid.
    
    You sign with an agent, there goes college. More of these kids have people around them selling them the dream than being realistic. The average NBA career is something like five years if I'm not mistaken. What happens if you're not the next LeBron? Even JO who you mentioned rode the pine in Portland for a couple years as an 8th or 9th man before getting a chance. Those three years could have been better served being in a major program (say UNC ...) learning from a terrific coach and improve your game.
  • BrendanHaywood replied June 12, 2009

    ESKimo, you keep using brandon jennings as a example of a kid who benefited from not going straight to the pro's but how do we know that? Most of us have never even seen the kid play before? Im a firm believer that you getting better by working in your field. And in the NBA you have more free time to do so, if a kid is not getting minutes his 1st couple of years in the league and he shows up early to lift weights and work on his game and then stays after practice for even more work, I guarantee he will improve! Trust me on that. The problem is that many of them don't want to do that. This is were the teams must require there young players to do so and have somebody assigned to making sure they continue to develop.
    
    You also asked the question, what happens if there not good enough or if there not the next lebron. Im not sure what happens to them, I hope they saved there money while they were in the league. But I know one thing that wont help them if they don't make it, and that is a semester of college? What kind of job can u get with that? Not a very good one! I would rather be in my mid 20's looking for a job with a couple mil in my pocket, wouldn't you?
    
    
  • ESKimo replied June 13, 2009

    B - I would have rather gone to college and gotten a degree so that when I'm out of the Association, it don't matter what money I have...
    
    Money doesn't solve everything. Does it make some things easier to handle? Sure, but it also brings all kinds of other problems... though I don't know for sure because I have a university degree and a sketchy jumpshot...
    
    What you said about kids not wanting to put in the extra work is all the more reason - to me - to promote going to college. You think Coach Smith would have let you not do the extra drills you needed? You think Coach Williams doesn't get on kids that need to keep improving, star recruit or not?
  • dominp replied June 18, 2009

    ESKIMO - "Even JO who you mentioned rode the pine in Portland for a couple years as an 8th or 9th man before getting a chance. Those three years could have been better served being in a major program (say UNC ...) learning from a terrific coach and improve your game. "
    
    I dont agree with that at all. I think the reason JO is great is because those 3 years WERE spent playing everyday against pro athletes in practice and getting coached by NBA coaches...instead of playing against some player in college who more then likely is not NBA material and getting taught by some assistant coach at a University.
    
    The experience he got going up against Clifford Robinson, Rasheed Wallace and Arvydas Sabonis in practice everyday was so much greater then anything he would have gotten in college.
• CoachScott said June 12, 2009

  We just finished 3 days of MLB drafts. Kids were drafted that will not sign with their MLB parent. They will go to college because it will put them in a better bargaining position later or because the money they will make is insufficient to live on with such a low probability of ever making it to the big leagues. This probably wouldn't be quite as effective in the NBA because of the limited number of teams in the "minor" leagues. Baseball has 30 clubs and each club has at least four farm clubs. That combined with the larger roster makes it better suited to draft more players. I think it is wrong for kids to be forced to go to college if that isn't what they want. I also think it's wrong that they lose their elgibility when they declare for the draft (I know they can pull out at some point). The players, whether in college or high school, should be able to see where they will be drafted without being forced to give up their other options. This is also true, in my opinion, of football players. Still, it's different with baseball because of the #'s.

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• Poppalaw said June 12, 2009

  The NBA rule is not about the player, it is about the leauge and having a farm system in place. That is all it is about.

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  • BrendanHaywood replied June 12, 2009

    Poppalaw, I couldn't agree more. The main reason they want these kids to go to college is so that they develop a fan base that they can carry over with them once they enter into the league. Ncaa is free advertisement for the nba
  • DTRIK19 replied June 12, 2009

    College basketball...especially now, is 10x more entertaining than the NBA. If you want to argue a stupid rule, why not go after the dress code? The D league is no better than the CBA right now...attendance is weak for both leagues.
• speedwell said June 12, 2009

  Wow Brendan, you're absolutely right. College is a sham. Your 4 years at UNC taught you that the distance from California to Europe (specifically Italy) is "MILLIONS OF MILES". The answer is actually 6385 miles. The purpose of a higher education is not just to "make lots of money", it's to better enrich your life and help you to develop critical thinking skills.
  
  The age limit is not the reason why USC's basketball program is in shambles. It's the backroom, secret envelope deals and the imminent post-season sanctions that USC will undoubtedly face that cause the recent player/coach exodus next door to the Coliseum.
  
  I'm honestly surprised that we haven't seen more guys like Leon Smith, or even Swee'pea Lloyd Daniels -- guys who never went to college and were unprepared for life in general, much less the pro ball game. But because the only honest sports experience, untainted by money, is only going to be found in women's collegiate level sports, most high school programs, or the black top we have what we have.

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• webkid30 said June 12, 2009

  I like the 19 year old limmit. If someone gave me tens of millions of dollars when I was 18 I'd probably be the next coming of Lindsay Lohan or Ms Spears...and that happens a lot in the NBA. Take Kwame Brown; you can only wonder whether spending a year out of the NBA would have given him more maturity. From the team's perspective, seeing Kwame compete against players above a high school level would have given NBA teams a better shot to get it right.
  
  So there's the NBA's reasoning and they really don't have to answer to anyone. College coaches breaking NCAA rules to get recruits can't be blamed on the NBA not allowing them to compete for a year.

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• webkid30 said June 12, 2009

  "Limit" - sorry, no amount of education could teach me to spell.

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• BrendanHaywood said June 12, 2009

  Webkid30, is there really a major difference between the age's of 18 and 19? The answer is not really, If your not mature at 18 chances are you won't be a 19 either. You also mentioned that kwame brown would have been better evaluated if he had went to college. But to me that wouldn't have mattered, the college game and NBA are totally different. you can dominate college and still not be ready for this league, see jj reddick and adam morrison for examples.

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  • ESKimo replied June 12, 2009

    There is a huge difference in terms of life knowledge gained potentially. Like I said earlier, I will guarantee that Brandon Jennings is a better pro now after going through what he went through this season than he would have been had he gone right to the NBA last year. You learn that you have to work for things and earn them, as opposed to having them given to you. Playing in the NBA is a privilege, not a right, no matter how good you may or may not be.
  • DTRIK19 replied June 12, 2009

    Reddick and Morrison aren't good examples man...neither one has what it takes to be good NBA players, add Hansbrough to that list this year. Great college players who we could tell didn't have what it'd take to make the jump...though most were fooled by Morrison. All I got to say is KWAME! C'mon man, we would have seen him go up against some talent and be exposed. He probably still would have been good, but not #1 pick good. The main problem with the NBA is they draft on potential which is why Thabeet will go high...he'll suck in the NBA for at least a couple of years, if not his whole career. My boy D-Blair owned him...wouldn't find that matchup in high school.
  • grard23 replied June 14, 2009

    webkid, thank you for finally bringing that point up. I am at this point in my life, I just finished my freshman year of college playing football and running track at a D3. Admittedly, I've never fathomed signing a multi-million dollar contract. Yet, the maturity I've gained in the past year through my education and experience, without the presence of a multi-million dollar contract, is the best way I could have spent my time. B, it may not have been the case for you, but it's no secret that most serious high school athletes don't hesitate to put their academics on the back-burner for their athletic pursuits.
    
    Personally, I don't care how atheltic you are and how ready you are for the pro game. If your ego isn't prepared to handle the pressures and high-risk life decisions you'll have to make you have no right making that move.
    
    One of your own teammates, Deshawn Stevenson, is an example that has always caught my eye. I don't mean to personally attack the man, but from what I know about him, based on how the media has perceived him, he wasn't prepared for the pro game and lifestyle. He has had numerous misdemeanors and gained a reputation for being a more than outspoken player. As far as his skills are concerned, it also took him 8 years to become the scoring threat that he was originally intended to be. I feel a few years in college would have given him the work ethic and maturity to avoid a lot of this adversity.
    
    There is no golden rule. Some "LBJs" are ready for the league and some busts aren't. Bottom line is that when you step into the spotlight of being a professional athlete, millionaire and role-model you need to be prepared to properly handle it.
• bballmom4ever said June 12, 2009

  I agree, no age limit should be required. Hell, look at how much money Hannah Montana is making, how old is she? At 18 your old enough to die for your country, but you can't earn a living playing ball. Look how many older folks win the lottery and can't handle the money! Maybe there should be an age limit with movie stars, rock stars, and being on the Disney Channel!!!

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  • Chantelle7 replied June 12, 2009

    ya i agree. awesome argument!
• BrendanHaywood said June 12, 2009

  bballmom4ever you made same great points! just so you know, i'm gonna steal some of them to strengthen my arguement

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• DTRIK19 said June 12, 2009

  The current age limit is stupid and just flat out pointless. It's great for college basketball as we get to see a lot more talent than in year's past, but how does it benefit the athletes? It certainly helps NBA teams since they get an additional year to to evaluate a player's talent against better competition before forking over millions of dollars to him. I think there should be a requirement and it should be like football's. Be out of high school for 3 years...then go pro if you want. Brendan, I'm sure you can attest to the value of a 4 year education since you graduated from UNC and still got drafted in the 1st round. I know you've had your share of injuries...what would have happened had you not graduated and one of those injuries was career ending? Also, most of the players that used to come out of high school took years to develop...why not let them do that in college instead of sucking up a roster spot and millions of dollars? If a player is that talented, the money will come...of course they would have to change the pay structure...but thats for the NBAPA to worry about.

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  • BrendanHaywood replied June 13, 2009

    DTRIK19, You had some very interesting post. So you don't think athletes do much work, huh? That is false my man, I can only speak for myself but I take pride in my job. That means i'm constantly working to get better and to stay in the best shape possible. That includes weight lifting, cardio, and court work. But the average fan doesn't see that. You just see us showing up on game days. You don't see the injuries we play through, stress we go through, or the constant strain we put on our bodies. We may not log 9 to 5 hours like the rest of the world but please don't get the misconception that we don't work hard. our work is just different.
  • DTRIK19 replied June 14, 2009

    Work in the gym and on the court? Absolutely. In a college classroom? Thats very few and far between at schools with major programs. Trust me, we don't think you just show up, run up and down the court for 48 minutes and put the ball in the hoop.
• 2StepsAway said June 13, 2009

  Uhm.... I am an elemetary school teacher & aim to always be a life-longer learner...
  
  When I think of high education, I do not only equate it to being in a better position to acquire a good paying... For me, it is about the experience that the knowledge can bring to your life. Look at how many young people have life-long dreams of playing professional sports - just how many actually make it? Now, I see that you are referring to those that have the proven skills (now that they are in the NBA), but what about those that need that experience of growing up a little bit more? Now of course, a 22 year old can make the same bad choices that an 18 year can make, but putting a CHILD in such a situation can negatively impact their careers.
  
  Mentioned also are the teens that particpate in tennis (& golf I amas sure!) pros. When you see one of them, you see their parents right beside them. Does the NBA (or NFL, MLB, etc) allow for such guidance & assistance from the parents? Nope. I read in the latest issue of SI about the 16 year old baseball player that is thinking of getting his GED so that he can start junior college early so he will not have to wait an additional year to enter the baseball draft. Seriously??? Someone also mentioned above that perhaps these players can take college courses (btwn seasons). Now that I can cosign!
  
  Perhaps it is b/c I am a teacher or that I have an unnatural attachment to school (I went from preK straight through to my Master's degree THEN right into the classroom) - Education is something that can never be taken away.... So many did not have the opportunity...
  
  *sigh*

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  • BrendanHaywood replied June 13, 2009

    2StepsAway, I agree with what you are saying. And education is a great thing and something to be cherished but some people don't value it as much as others. These kids that Im talking about are only in school for one reason and that is to turn pro as soon as possible. some of them don't even go to class after the 1st semester because they know they won't be back next year. I don't think one year of elective class's is helping these kids.
    
    You also asked why you don't see the parents around as much in bball as you do in golf and tennis. The answer is this, those are not team sports. Those are individual sports so the parents can be more hands on, but in a team setting the parents have to work more behind the scenes or else these young men would be known as babies in the locker room environment. The good parents are never to far behind there children. But some of these young men don't have good parents and that is were the problem comes into play with some of them. They lack structure and discipline. As a teacher I know you sometimes have to deal with that
• SMH12289 said June 13, 2009

  Just great like I really wanna see a league with a bunch of raw 17,18 & 19 yr olds traveling, double dribbling and going of on coaches because they can't play the whole game...College Basketball is just more than bringing fans..It's about developing a player not just on the court but off the court..Every once in a while you'll get a LeBron James or Keving Garnett but on the flipside you'll get a Kwame Brown or Sebastian Telfair...Nobody is denying anyone a paycheck..Last time I checked the NBA is not planning to fold anytime soon..And what if that high schooler doesn't get drafted? He'll be playing in the D-League and overseas for the for the next few years to develop what he could have in college. Going to college may get you more money then not...Even if you don't make it in basketball at least you have a college education to fall back on...Sometimes It's better off being patient and getting there the old fashion way then going all in

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  • BrendanHaywood replied June 13, 2009

    SMH12289, I think you don't get what I'm saying. Im not saying draft every high school kid with a hoop dream. But the really good one's don't need it! Guys like kobe, lebron, garnett, amare, al harrington, dwight howard, rashard lewis, and andrew bynum didn't need college! I don't think guys like derrick rose, oj mayo, and kevin durrant needed college either. They were already ready. All Im saying is that the kid's should have a choice.
    
    If a team knows a kid needs 4 yrs of work don't take him! pass on him and take a kid more ready to contribute right away, unless you have the time to develop him. Kevin martin and Mike Redd are poster boys for what happens if u work hard and develop. They got better and they got paid!!!!!!! That type of development doesn't happen to often in college. Between class, practice, and study hall when do these kids have time to improve? In the nba you got all day to hone your skills! especially if you are not getting major minutes.
    
    And another thing you said was that the nba isn't denying these kids a paycheck, because you said that the nba wasnt folding anytime soon. That's false brother, Oj mayo was the 3rd pick in the draft and made 4 mil this year, the year he played in college for free he could have got paid for. The NBA just took 4 million off of his basketball career. That's a pretty hefty price to pay for college if you ask me!
• foneal said June 13, 2009

  Brendan, I hear you on your article, but I beg to differ. I don't think these kids should be paid millions of dollars to play in the NBA when they are not ready. I think there should be some sort of developement league as in baseball where they could transition if they choose not to go to college. There they could hone their skills and become more mature mentally. I admit there are those rare instances when a player is ready to play but those instances are far and few between. If I wanted to see high schoolers play, I could go to a high school game and not have to pay the amount it cost to see a NBA game. As a fan, I don't want to pay to go to a game to see a player develope. I expect the players to be ready to play at the highest level and that isn't happening. There are a couple players on the Wizards team who were just not ready to compete mentally or skill wise. They still have a ways to go and that showed quite a bit this pass season. Hate to say it but it is true. They drove me crazy! Even the guy who went to Rome to play mentioned how his playing there helped him for the NBA so in a sense, it was a development league for him. I think college or some sort of other development league will help these players in the long run and also put a quality NBA product on the floor that fans don't mind paying to see. I have followed the Wiz since I moved to this area and last year was the first year that I did not attend any games. I could not stand to see the way we played in person. They were stroking me out last year! I thought I was going to have a hear attack :-)

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  • BrendanHaywood replied June 13, 2009

    foneal, sorry for last season! We did suck! I watched every game from behind the bench and it looked even worse when your that close. I watched every game like it was a bad movie and I couldn't wait for it to end. But as long as me and agent zero are healthy that won't happen next year! believe that!
    
    As far as you saying the young guys on our team weren't ready, that is true but at the same time your strengthening my argument. All those guys went to college ! So how is college really helping if the young guys still aren't ready? Exactly my point! One year doesn't make that big of a difference.
• foneal said June 13, 2009

  I forgot to mention that Brendan Jennings also mentioned that he learned how to take care of himself while playing overseas. IE, eating right, working out , getting the proper amount of rest etc. We both know that there are a couple Wiz kids that still haven't gotten that down. At times, they acted as if they were playing in college instead of professionally. And again, they should get millions of dollars for that ????!!!!! I think not! If you begin to lose fans because the NBA has become inferior, then that affects ALL players including you :-) if the fans refuse to pay to see these games. I don't agree with you but you are still the man :-)

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• steiny31 said June 13, 2009

  Brendan, Maturity is also i huge factor here. Kids need to grow up in college in that makes them ready for the NBA.

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• steiny31 said June 13, 2009

  - Steiny

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• satchmore said June 13, 2009

  I agree that for someone with OJ Mayo's basketball skills, it seems absurd to have to go to college to get to the pro's. But the problem is, OJ Mayo is not like most players: most players don't get into the NBA. For the hundreds (thousands?) of players who have NBA aspirations who never make it, college makes sense. I'm sure their parents would agree. A separate but related question: should college players get paid? Lord knows, universities in the bigger divisions make a lot of money from athletics.
  
  Hey Brendan, speaking of college: I recall that you were at one time the all-time shot block leader in the ACC. Do you still hold that record?
  
  
  
  

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• bearschamp2008 said June 13, 2009

  You can always go back to college and get a degree later in life.

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  • grard23 replied June 14, 2009

    When they are bathing in hundred dollar bills why would they?
• foneal said June 13, 2009

  True that Brendan. All I know is there are a lot of players in the NBA right now that everyone keeps saying wait until he develops. I mean I would love to make a million or two and not totally know my job, however, I am being paid for what I know now and not what I will be later as I get more experience. I still believe an 18 year old with no basketball IQ other than what they recieved in high school is not good enough to be rewarded millions of dollars.
  
  Now, as for next season, I can't wait. I am one of Gil's biggest fans and yours too! I will most definitely be back in the house next season. I am tired of how everyone has been picking Gil apart and undervalued your services but just wait. I am also sick of people wanting to trade Jamison away. They just don't relaize h is value. How, I can understand for dude carried the team last year and played pretty much every game! The games we did win, he played a big part of. I can't wait to see you guys prove the naysayers wrong. It is going to be on and poppin!

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  • BrendanHaywood replied June 14, 2009

    Foneal, I got to disagree with you again my man. You said that at your job you get paid for what you know and not what you will be later. And that these kids shouldn't get paid to learn on the fly. Well the funny thing about most good jobs is that they take you through a job training course were they teach you what they want you to do and how to perform your job, and if i'm not mistaken I think your paid while you go through these training sessions. Just look at there 1st year as on the job training and maybe it won't offend you as much.
• ShaylaGreen_21 said June 13, 2009

  Hey Brendan, Sheila Here. Besides the age-limit, how do you feel about athletes going pro with no college education?
  
  They know how to play the game, but aren't mature enough to understand the business side of the game. High School athletes are so young, and will take them years to grow up(e.g. "L.J.")

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• grard23 said June 14, 2009

  Shoot, I made over $3,500 last summer and what did I do with it? I spent all but $15 dollars at school this year. Tell me all these kids gettin; drafted aren't doing the same, just at a MUCH larger scale.

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• BeltwayBoy said June 14, 2009

  I agree with you. The NBA should go back to the way it was, where kids coming out of high school could enter the draft. MLB allows teams to draft kids right out of high school so why is the NBA penalizing kids for that one year? I understand that it is extremely difficult for a teenager to make the jump from H.S. to the pro game, but it can be done. At 18 our kids are old enough to go to war, but not the NBA? Can someone please explain that to me?

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• foneal said June 15, 2009

  Exactly my point Brendan. They should go to some type of developmental league if they do not attend college. And, even on my job, I am not offered top dollar until I am trained in areas that are more complex. So basically, I am being paid for what I know coming in the door. As I gain more experience, my pay is reflected as such even if I have to go to another company to get that increase. By the way, I'm female :-)

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• foneal said June 15, 2009

  Oh and by the way, I am not offened, I just don't want to pay my hard earned dollars to see a crew of high schoolers. Sorry, but that is the way I feel. I am a Wiz fanatic and I want to see some quality games played. I don't go to games just to go, I want to win! :-)

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• hockeychick23 said June 15, 2009

  I think athletes should attend college, just for the pure fact that they might injure themselves at the pro level and have nothing to fall back on. However, that does not mean they have to attend college straight from HS and miss going pro. Tons of athletes attend college while they are pro. I know of football and hockey players, not to mention mma fighters who do that. I have a different view I think because, for rowers, they're most successful as college athletes. Our U.S. Gold medalist rowers were all college girls. But that's besides the point. As long as they have a plan for themselves just in case they fail or get injured at the pro level, they should be able to attend. And Steiny, I have to disagree with you. College does not make you more mature. If that was the case, I wouldn't have to worry about walking on campus and running into a bunch of drunken idiots.

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• jasminefaronbi said June 15, 2009

  But for every one player thats good enough to go pro their are thousands more who actually need the college experience for their physical and mental game. Think about it, how many of the top picks actually turn out to be busts?

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• razah12 said June 16, 2009

  Anyone should be able to turn pro no matter what age. This is America people! BUT, I think going to college first is beneficial if you surround yourself with the right people. Remember, these are usually 18 to 10 year old kids. After having lived through my twenties, I realized I was not as grown up as I thought I was. These players are still young, they get in trouble because they are still in the 'get in trouble' years. I hope and believe that there are colleges and coaches who can instill maturity into a young player. Don't get me wrong, high school players who go to pros can be just as mature, but why not visit both options. Go to college for FREE, get an education to fall back on, learn to follow the rules even if your coaches don't, and improve your abilities. Your talent is your business, it is your corporation, take some business classes.

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  • razah12 replied June 16, 2009

    correction: "18 to 20 year old kids". But how cool would it be if there was a 10 year old playing in the NBA.
• hockeychick23 said June 17, 2009

  Oh but that HS baseball protege or w/e, leaving HS to go get his GED so he can go play baseball at some CC is just wrong. A 16 yr old should finish HS. I feel like he's going to miss out on a lot of things in HS and regret his decision.

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  • BYOBooyah replied June 17, 2009

    Also, I would be shocked if he doesn't get seriously injured before his big league career even starts...
• SDeemerLA said June 19, 2009

  I think that the NBA would be a much better product if the "rookies" were older. College seniors coming into the league have a much better impact on their teams than teenagers. There are a couple exceptions, but for the most part, we fans, are having to wait 3-6 years before these young players develope. They are being paid on potential and so few of them really live up to that potential. What would really make the NBA great, which will never be done, is to downsize the number of teams, and the number of games. Go back to the days when you had 6-8 really solid NBA players on most teams. I would never pay to go see a game that involved a team that was on the tail end of a brutal road trip. They are almost always horrible games with no energy. I love basketball and can watch it all day, but I think that the Rookies coming in need more development before being "hired" by NBA teams. You can't compare tennis players and NBA rookies. Tennis players are paid by winning, not on potential. If they don't win, they fade away and leave the tour. I think the best Idea I heard was allowing them to get paid to play in the Developmental League. There they can also get the coaching they need to make an impact in the NBA.

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• SDeemerLA said June 19, 2009

  I think that the NBA would be a much better product if the "rookies" were older. College seniors coming into the league have a much better impact on their teams that teenagers. There are a couple exceptions, but for the most part, we fans, are having to wait 3-6 years before these young players develope. They are being paid on potential and so few of them really live up to that potential. What would really make the NBA great, which will never be done, is to downsize the number of teams, and the number of games. Go back to the days when you had 6-8 really solid NDA players on most teams. I would never pay to go see a game that invoved a team that was on the tail end of a brutal road trip. They are almost always horrible games with no energy. I love basketball and can watch it all day, but I think that the Rookies coming in need more development before being "hired" by NBA teams. You can't compare tennis players and NBA rookies. Tennis players must win to get paid.If they don't, they fade away and leave the tour. I think the best Idea I heard was allowing them to get paid to play in the Developmental League. There they can also get the coaching they need to make an impact in the NBA.

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• Heelwalker23 said June 20, 2009

  Ok, this talk about no high schoolers in the NBA is ridiculous. The best players in the NBA today, and by best I mean marquee, did not attend high school or they only stayed in college a year or 2 max. If they have the talent, they should be able to go. This foolishness about staying in school for 2 or 3 years is asinine. A lot of folks reference the baseball rule because it "focuses on education more" BS!!! Facts don't lie, only 26 of current baseball players have a college degree. 26, thats not even 1 per team. Let talented individuals play, remove the rule and lets stop allowing the NBA to allow the NCAA to be its farm league. Maybe the NBA can start to really invest in a true minor league system that would be good for everyone. And now I will step off of my soapbox!!!

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  • EazyEagleZ replied June 25, 2009

    If a team does not think a kid is ready to play in the NBA, then they should not draft him.
• EazyEagleZ said June 25, 2009

  Why is considered a big deal for NBA players to go to college when hockey players all over the world start professional careers as young as 16 or 17? Future Olympians start training and forgo full time schooling as young as 9 in some places of the world. An 18 year old baseball player who can throw a 90 mile an hour fastball will not be attending college trust me.

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• bballmom4ever said July 17, 2009

  I'm stiil reading these comments and some are crazy. Education is important, but mostly depending on what career you are into. You don't need to know x + y2 = 15 - 8 to know how to play basketball. I have a niece who went to college for 5 years, got a degree in a businees major and now has a job making only $14 an hour with a $100,000 college school debt to pay. A lot of people think pros don't deserve what they make. Maybe it would be nice if they made 1/2 the amount and ticket prices were 1/2 off so a family could afford to attend the events, but hey, tickets are selling and if the money is rolling in, they deserve it. Are talented singers who become national recording artist required to take professional singing lessons? Hell no, if you got the talent and someone out there is willing to pay you money, why be forced to go to school and learn something you have no interest in. Come on, aren't you an adult at 18? Go join the army, fight in Iraq, but don't you dare think about dribbling that ball down court until you go to college! Get Real!

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