Here comes the nightmare situation

[Nate]

Young Buckeyes could bolt to NBA <--

The stock of Turner, Mullens and Bufford is rising.  If these kids are tricked by dollar signs, they could leave. 

I think they all are eventual NBA players, but they are not ready yet.   They all need at least one more year. 

[gary194911]

I think the NBA should use the same rule as the NFL. It is much more important for these kids to get their education than to jump to the NBA after one or two years. Most are not ready for that jump to the next level or to even make that decision.

[Nate]

The issue is that the NBA just invoked the one year rule and I don't think it's working either.   Would a 2 year rule be any better?  A little.  At least then teams could prepare for players they think will exit after 2 years.

The problem now is that if Mullens, Turner and Bufford leave, we have no scholarships to give and we have no offers out there.   Plus, it keeps going against our NCAA graduation rate which we've already been punished for having bad numbers there. 

It's just bad.  I'm really leaning toward the NCAA and NBA need to envoke a 3 year rule. 

[ScarletBlooded]

We're in the generation were kids feel ready to make the big jump when they really aren't. Not to mention it hurts the pride of a college when kids just leave early. I remember the big commotion made when Elton Brand left Duke early and in Ohio State we've had many student athletes committed to this college and I felt that was truly important, sadly that trend has hit us too.

Simply put to the student athletes it's more than just heading to the NBA or any other pro sport to make big bucks. No matter how good you are, you NEED a college degree just in case if your career doesn't pan out it'll be a great safety net to make sure you have a good income instead of living the rush of professional fame while it's there because it doesn't last forever. Sometimes perhaps even going to college will build a bigger reputation for you to be taken seriously in the NBA, just ask Sebastian Telfair. (who in my opinion should've went to Louisville instead of jumping ship to the NBA)

I hope Turner, Mullens and Buford stick around for another year at least.

[Nate]

The degree is important.  A co-worker and I were talking today.  I wonder what the average length of a player in the NBA is?  How deep are the NBA rosters? 13?  How many rounds in the draft are there?  3?  How many teams?  32? 

I'm just writing not know facts.  Lets talk hypothetical.  Lets say that a team drafts 3 players every year.  Because of that you have to think that at least that many roster spots per team are up for grabs every year.  So almost 25% of a teams roster changes every year.  There are over 100 new players coming into the league every year.   The average length of an NBA career has to be like 1.5 to 2 years at best.  Most of the NBA players aren't making 5 million a year.  So if you leave college early.  Play 2 years in the NBA, don't get your degree.  Make about 500K for 2 years but blow most of it.  Then your career is over because there are over 100 players in the league better than you and you can't make a team.  Then you have no money, no college degree and no skills to offer other than you can play basketball but not for a living anymore.  Than what?

They invoked the one year removed from High School rule in large part for this reason.  To many kids were jumping right from high school to the NBA, signing with agents and losing their college eligibility at 17 and 18 years old.  I don't think it's enough.  I really think it needs to go to 3 years like football and the NFL. 

For every LeBron, Koby, Oden, etc... there are hundreds, maybe thousands now (this has been going on for years) of kids that can't play in the NBA and now can't go to college because they can't afford it and don't have the eligibility to play on scholarship.

[Dave5]

I love Buckeye Basketball and the NCAA tourny, but I get sick of watching all these one and done players.  I don't blame the kids because I can't say I wouldn't go after the money, but I think it is killing college basketball and pro.  I think it would help the NBA as well if these kids would stay around for 3 or 4 years.  People would see them playing in the conf tourney's and the NCAA tourny.  Kids would make a name for themselves and they would be more interesting to watch in the pro's.  Plus it might weed out some of the thugs in the league.  just my opinion.

[ScarletBlooded]

I love Buckeye Basketball and the NCAA tourny, but I get sick of watching all these one and done players.  I don't blame the kids because I can't say I wouldn't go after the money, but I think it is killing college basketball and pro.  I think it would help the NBA as well if these kids would stay around for 3 or 4 years.  People would see them playing in the conf tourney's and the NCAA tourny.  Kids would make a name for themselves and they would be more interesting to watch in the pro's.  Plus it might weed out some of the thugs in the league.  just my opinion.

Agreed, I've already been turned off a bunch of times by the mannerism of pro basketball...and I LOVE basketball, especially when the Buckeyes are on the hardwood but even the clean reputation of college basketball has been soiled now mainly due to players who just stick around for one year and jump ship to the NBA. It's one thing to see a legit college player go for one year and then go pro, but now we're seeing several players that you KNOW they're gonna go pro the instant they finish their freshman season. I've seen it in Greg Oden, I've seen it Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Michael Beasely, Jerryd Bayless, O.J. Mayo, Eric Gordon...way too many to count.

I also definitely one in Brandon Jennings had he went or been eligible to be in Arizona, his road in Europe has been rough so his plan of forgoing college hasn't been too successful. These kids are giving college basketball a bad rep and I don't want those 3 falling in the same group as well.

[AutoModGod]

I'm just writing not know facts.  Lets talk hypothetical.  Lets say that a team drafts 3 players every year.  Because of that you have to think that at least that many roster spots per team are up for grabs every year.  So almost 25% of a teams roster changes every year.  There are over 100 new players coming into the league every year.   The average length of an NBA career has to be like 1.5 to 2 years at best.  Most of the NBA players aren't making 5 million a year.  So if you leave college early.  Play 2 years in the NBA, don't get your degree.  Make about 500K for 2 years but blow most of it.  Then your career is over because there are over 100 players in the league better than you and you can't make a team.  Then you have no money, no college degree and no skills to offer other than you can play basketball but not for a living anymore.  Than what?

Nate, I don't disagree.  However, I don't think these talented young men should be denied the chance to pursue their dreams and make a living.  In the case of our three amigos, they will make millions in a short period of time and it could be their only chance to cash in if the injury bug hits.  If they don't make the most of their newfound financial windfall, then shame on them.

[mjp28]

The issue is that the NBA just invoked the one year rule and I don't think it's working either.   Would a 2 year rule be any better?  A little.  At least then teams could prepare for players they think will exit after 2 years.

The problem now is that if Mullens, Turner and Bufford leave, we have no scholarships to give and we have no offers out there.   Plus, it keeps going against our NCAA graduation rate which we've already been punished for having bad numbers there. 

It's just bad.  I'm really leaning toward the NCAA and NBA need to envoke a 3 year rule. 

Of course in a perfect world every player stays 4 years, gets a degree and all that good stuff.

Reality is money, fame, glamour and all of that allure of the pro lifestyle is enticing. Another thing, a lot of players really aren't college material and use sports as a quick springboard to the big time......if they're good enough.

PLUS this is America, every one has the right to pursue work of their own choosing.

One year rule, good idea. Two year also good. Remember the "Clarett case"? I actually thought he should have won it, if you want to turn pro and can do it, why not?

99.99% of players just aren't ready at 18 or 19......unless you're LeBron.

[Nate]

I was speaking more from a college fan perspective.  I see your points.  It's still frustrating to see this kids leave so early all the time and the school penalize and the NCAA taking scholarships away from them.

However, yes this America but employers are allowed to set what prerequisites they want.  The NFL chooses to have a rule that due to the physical and mental demand on a players body that they require that their players be 3 years removed from high school graduation.  Some companies require 2 years experience or a 4 year degree.   I don't have a problem with rules like that.