Alternative to NCAA

[natedagg]

i think this is going to become more prominent. This highly rated prospect from the US is going to play abroad instead of going to the NCAA. This is, situationally, a better fit than the NCAA for high level prospects, in my opinion.
If you are NBA caliber, then nothing beats starting your career and spending every day on your basketball development (including time devoted to professional fitness, practice, and nutrition), in my opinion. If it isn’t working out for whatever reason, it’s reasonable to assume this young man can still play D1 on a scholarship in a year or two. Thoughts?

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...90/hampton-skips-college-new-zealand-pro-ball

 

[bigfoot5415]

If you are a projected lotto pick; then there is no reason to play college ball. Limited practice, have to focus on school, no paycheck & injury risk. Not to mention 95% of the college season you will likely be facing inferior talent.

Glad to see RJ Hampton bet on himself.

 

[Cassity14]

I thought Brandon Jennnings did the right thing when he did this those years ago. He didn't have a long NBA career, but I thought his pro experience really helped him carve out the career he actually did have.

Had he not gone pro, I don't think he'd have lasted 3 seasons.

 

[bigfoot5415]

I thought Brandon Jennnings did the right thing when he did this those years ago. He didn't have a long NBA career, but I thought his pro experience really helped him carve out the career he actually did have.

Had he not gone pro, I don't think he'd have lasted 3 seasons.

I thought there was an eligibility issue with Jennings, but I cant find anything. Smart move IMO. He made $1.65M in salary + $2M in UA endorsements, plus some I am sure. Not to mention Euro clubs usually pickup the cost of living. Hell he was #1 in his class if I recall.

Came in very ready, but maturity and work ethic prevented him taking the next steps. I actually really liked his game coming into the league.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

This makes a lot more sense than trying to start some kind of high-end minor league in the U.S.. Not enough high-end players or enough of a fan base to support it.

 

[adam81king]

As much as I love people empowering themselves and maximizing their income, I don’t think it’ll truly take off until you see folks taking that path really succeed.

If Brandon Jennings is the best outcome so far, you’re not gonna tempt the kids with the greatest possibility for success. Even Jennings lost some of his luster and didn’t gain extra benefit (in terms of skills/longevity/etc) from the move. Not sure he *lost* anything by going overseas, but it hasn’t made anyone actually *better*, or last longer I’m the League. Let’s hope Hampton proves me VERY wrong.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

This makes a lot more sense than trying to start some kind of high-end minor league in the U.S.. Not enough high-end players or enough of a fan base to support it.

Why not just let anyone turn pro, at any age, like in Europe and South America, with basketball and soccer?

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Why not just let anyone turn pro, at any age, like in Europe and South America, with basketball and soccer?

Anyone can - just not in the NBA.

And the NBA limits that for two reasons: 1) it is against the self-interest of the current players in the players association, and 2) it could lead to a race to the bottom in terms of teams signing young players who will reach the end of their first contract before being meaningful contributors. That likely would lower the quality of basketball.

Also potentially huge liability issues with minors.

 

[2 For The Brew]

Why not just let anyone turn pro, at any age, like in Europe and South America, with basketball and soccer?

Because unlike Europe and South America we stink at developing professional talent within the professional system. Kids elsewhere in the world are training in soccer academies as young as six years old (Ajax Amsterdam). They are bought & sold as young as 14. The major clubs develop kids into pros. Training academies get compensated if they sell kids to larger clubs.

Meanwhile our country of over 300 million has yet to develop a field player that can star in the UEFA Champions League. Tiny nations like Trinidad & Tobago kick our ass. I know a kid that Liverpool or Chelsea or some other team wanted to relocate to their academy but Mommy wanted her boy to finish HS and go to college, thinking he can turn pro at 22. WAY too late for soccer.

The Joker signed his first professional contract at age 17 and saw some minutes with the senior team his rookie season. In Serbia they have junior teams so they can properly coach young players and develop them. Watch Jokic for five minutes and it's obvious he has been WELL coached for a long time. But that's Serbia -- obviously they have far more resources than your average NBA team, right?

Our professional sports teams leave that to high school and college and AAU teams. Coaching is uneven to say the least.

The NBA would have a much better product IMHO if they had a serious junior league (i.e. G-League) that took kids as young as 16 and developed them under excellent coaching. But with the NCAA around I don't think that will ever happen. Plus the NBA has trouble finding 30 good coaches as it is.

BTW Baseball used to have many more minor leagues (D, C, B, A, AA, AAA) and all ballplayers went through them until around 40-50 years ago or so. Players spent years honing their craft as professionals before going to the majors -- a LOT more years than they do now. But we have high school and college baseball now (although some players skip college and there are foreign players of course). Many old-timers believe the quality of baseball has suffered as a result.