Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwight Howard are some of the most popular modern day athletes that went straight from high school to the NBA. With the changes in the rules, players like Brandon Jennings could not do the same. Instead Jennings went over seas to play in Europe and then come to the NBA to fulfill his dream of going pro.
Going pro in other sports is different. The NFL has a 2 years of college requirement. Nobody really talks about major league baseball as many players have gone lost in their 3 divisions of minor leagues. The big fuss these days is Austin Rivers, son of Boston coach Doc Rivers, played one year at Duke and now believes he should go pro. Now discussions are the NBA should have a 2 year requirement of college before allowing a player to be drafted by the NBA.
The NBA is trying to protect players, teams and fans from getting less than the best games. I believe they should take it a step further to have an age requirement of 21 for all sports. This would make each sport an adult league. After all, the players have adult parties, go to adult clubs,… where liquor is served. How many times would a club kick out LeBron James for drinking before he turned 21?
NONE!
If a team were to win a championship with a star player under 21, are they going to exclude him from campaign?
NO!
If the professional sports would like to hold themselves out to the elite athletes, then make professionals for adults only. As athletes have shown in the past, going to college does not guarantee they will finish or get a degree. It also doesn’t prove that they will use it if they do get a degree. Experience comes with doing different things and age.
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