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 Would You Skip College To Get Paid In Europe? - Jun 24, 2008
posted by: Josh
Arizona basketball recruit Brandon Jennings may become the first top-level recruit to skip college to play professionally in Europe. Because of the NBA's rule that prevents anyone younger than 19 from entering the league, elite high school seniors have been heading to college for at least one year. Jennings, however, has struggled to qualify academically, and seems to prefer the idea of compensation. Because this is a fairly unique circumstance (that could become more common), it merits some discussion about Jennings' potential decision, as well as the landscape of basketball for elite prep players. There are some folks who have criticized the NCAA for not compensating its high-profile athletes, and those same people will likely mutter under their breaths that if the NCAA paid players, Jennings would choose to come to school. But here's the deal: a scholarship is more than enough compensation. There are thousands of kids struggling to pay their way through school and a full scholarship is certainly sufficient. It's important to reiterate that love it or hate it, the 19-year-old age limit is imposed by the NBA, not the NCAA. The league decided that it wanted a more mature base of players and doesn't allow 17- and 18-year-olds on its rosters. What are the options for those elite players? Well, Jennings has the option to play in the NBDL or head to Europe, which seems to be where he is going. While the contracts in Europe don't compare to the rookie deals in the NBA, it's likely that elite high school players would warrant low six-figure salaries, certainly nice compensation for an 18-year-old without a college education. It doesn't matter that the NBA offers higher salaries - Jennings isn't eligible for that league, so his choices are to go to school on scholarship or accept the salaries that are available to him. There are plenty of 18-year-olds who would prefer the working world over higher education and there's nothing wrong with that. But as the vast majority of us know, not every organization wants to employ us, and the NBA doesn't want anybody under the age of 19. They also don't want people who can't run, shoot or jump. So forget about criticizing the NBA for not opening its doors - the organization, like all others, has choice about the individuals it employs. If Jennings does elect to go to Europe, he will be taking a significant risk. If he goes overseas and doesn't play well, or gets hurt, he could find himself without a career in the NBA or anything to really fall back on. Once he plays a professional game, his amateur eligibility will be a thing of the past, and college basketball would never be an option again. He could enroll in college, but there wouldn't be any scholarships waiting for him. The truth is, this is an irrelevant discussion for 99.9 percent of the basketball-playing population, but it warrants thought because that minute percentage of elite players gets a lot of attention. Jennings and other top prep players have difficult choices to make, often more difficult than traditional high school graduates, and it's important for them to understand the impact of the decisions they make at this young age. So let's have it - should Jennings go overseas? What's a better choice for an 18-year-old - a college scholarship or $100,000 overseas? What do you think? 
CommentsOverseas would be tough - contracts are structured differently and who could get locked in there without the opportunity to the NBA. It is very risky and depends on which country he plays and level etc. Another option could also play juco for a year and they declare for the NBA. There is no score he has to meet to play juco. One thing I would like to note though is that a full scholarship isn't necessarily more than enough compensation. Say it's worth $30,000, most of that is a right off in the books for a school if they live on campus and have a meal plan. There isn't much cash getting paid out. I don't think they should get paid because there is no way to keep this regulated. A school like Winthrop that qualifies for the NCAA tourney almost every year couldn't pay an athlete like U. of Florida could. But don't think that a scholarship for one year is great compensation. Overseas ball, in this instance, is like drinking a Red Bull first thing in the morning: An immediate high, followed by the crash. For most athletes that choose this route versus investing in a college education at some level, they are trading the long term healthy benefits of an enriching college experience that would give them the life skills, professional skills and maturity to have a successful life for the immediate cash and playing time offered by an overseas team. For some, the risk is going to be worth it. They'll stay healthy, have everything go just right, and transition into a lucrative NBA career. For the vast majority, they will flame-out and have nothing to fall back on. They will struggle in their post-career world, and become fodder for the next ESPN "Outside the Lines" special report on kids that made the wrong choice. I'm not faulting him for making the decision; everyone has that right to follow their own course. It's just not the decision that I would make, nor one that I would recommend to any 17 year old kid (no matter how good he or she is). JM, I take issue with your statement, "don't think that a scholarship for one year is great compensation." When I left school I made $32,000 a year and had $600 a month in loans to pay back. I would have LOVED to have a full scholarship. Besides, education is a far greater gift than a simple dollar amount can express. If the NBA doesn't work out, at least the kids who earned a degree will have something to fall back on. Honestly, I'm still a little ticked that the NBA doesn't want me: a five-foot, four-inch woman who regularly has her butt kicked at horse... MHL - College is not the only avenue to being educated. Also I believe the original post talks about an athlete that is not making the scores so you are pretty optimistic that they will graduate from college. This post seems to be talking about that 1% that has the ability to go pro. One year in college will not make them scholars. Hey I would have loved a full ride also but I wasn't equipped with the skill to get one oh well. I am not sure of your situation but I have recruited kids to play basketball in college that lived in very destitute situations that had to take the Greyhound to get to college. Trust me when they got out they still had bills just like you but for different reasons. I think this will be the beginning of a true minor league system and an end to the NBA draft we currently recognize. This year's first round will be remembered as The One and Done Draft. I suspect soon we will have a system closer to college baseball and MLB where players commit to one option or the other. However, I see the D-League as the likely destination as opposed to Europe. Post a Comment |
  
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