A High School Junior super star in California figured out how to do what he wanted to get to the NBA and make money along the way. To me, this kid is just being practical, unlike the NCAA who has no one who makes rules that has apparently ever been in the real world. This kid wants to make money playing basketball, not being a sham student at some college.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/sports...tyler.html

The most disturbing part of the story to me is Fran Franchilla lamenting that the kid could have stayed here and illegally made $200 K:

“I think it puts in serious jeopardy the academic and social growth of a high school kid to skip out,” said Dave Telep, the national recruiting director for Scout.com. “I hope it doesn’t have long-term negative effects.”

Fran Fraschilla, an ESPN analyst who covers college games and analyzes foreign players in the N.B.A. draft, noted that if Tyler played in the second division in Spain, his competition would be former college stars like Wayne Simien (Kansas), Taylor Coppenrath (Vermont) and Danya Abrams (Boston College).

“He’s going to have to be mentally and physically tough,” Fraschilla said.

But Fraschilla added that he was certain Tyler was not going to Europe for the money. He said he could easily earn $200,000 in the United States.

“He could pretty much get that money illegally, either via a college or an agent, willing to funnel his family the money,” Fraschilla said. “I’m hoping this is a savvy move to really improve his game.”

(04-27-2009 11:50 AM)PTJR Wrote:  A High School Junior super star in California figured out how to do what he wanted to get to the NBA and make money along the way. To me, this kid is just being practical, unlike the NCAA who has no one who makes rules that has apparently ever been in the real world. This kid wants to make money playing basketball, not being a sham student at some college.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/sports...tyler.html

The most disturbing part of the story to me is Fran Franchilla lamenting that the kid could have stayed here and illegally made $200 K:

“I think it puts in serious jeopardy the academic and social growth of a high school kid to skip out,” said Dave Telep, the national recruiting director for Scout.com. “I hope it doesn’t have long-term negative effects.”

Fran Fraschilla, an ESPN analyst who covers college games and analyzes foreign players in the N.B.A. draft, noted that if Tyler played in the second division in Spain, his competition would be former college stars like Wayne Simien (Kansas), Taylor Coppenrath (Vermont) and Danya Abrams (Boston College).

“He’s going to have to be mentally and physically tough,” Fraschilla said.

But Fraschilla added that he was certain Tyler was not going to Europe for the money. He said he could easily earn $200,000 in the United States.

“He could pretty much get that money illegally, either via a college or an agent, willing to funnel his family the money,” Fraschilla said. “I’m hoping this is a savvy move to really improve his game.”

Everyone is lamenting the fact that he won't get his high school degree or go to college. Isn't the reason kids go to college is to develop a skill or knowledge that will allow them to have a career in the real world? He wants to be a basketball player, not a brain surgeon. Why should he go to college if there is another path to his goals that is more lucrative and very possibly more beneficial to his developing his career skills? If he was 17 and Hollywood wanted him to star in a movie and make a few million bucks who would be crying about his not getting an education? Only people who are crying are a few college coaches who thought they could sign him.

Everyone is lamenting the fact that he won't get his high school degree or go to college. Isn't the reason kids go to college is to develop a skill or knowledge that will allow them to have a career in the real world? He wants to be a basketball player, not a brain surgeon. Why should he go to college if there is another path to his goals that is more lucrative and very possibly more beneficial to his developing his career skills? If he was 17 and Hollywood wanted him to star in a movie and make a few million bucks who would be crying about his not getting an education? Only people who are crying are a few college coaches who thought they could sign him.
[/quote]

BINGO !!!!!!

(04-27-2009 12:02 PM)PTJR Wrote:  Everyone is lamenting the fact that he won't get his high school degree or go to college. Isn't the reason kids go to college is to develop a skill or knowledge that will allow them to have a career in the real world? He wants to be a basketball player, not a brain surgeon. Why should he go to college if there is another path to his goals that is more lucrative and very possibly more beneficial to his developing his career skills? If he was 17 and Hollywood wanted him to star in a movie and make a few million bucks who would be crying about his not getting an education? Only people who are crying are a few college coaches who thought they could sign him.

BINGO !!!!!!
[/quote]

The NBA and NCAA worst nightmare is Vaccaro and they thought they could end his and others influence with the top prospects by changing the age limit. Vaccaro has connections overseas and in the past said he intended to get players to go play ball overseas and get paid while developing. So far, he has gotten 2 top prospects to go overseas.

If the NBA was smart they should let the kids get drafted and require them to play 1 or 2 years in the development league...sort of like baseball does with their farm league.

If the NBA was smart they should let the kids get drafted and require them to play 1 or 2 years in the development league...sort of like baseball does with their farm league.
[/quote]

Bingo #2. Kids that don't want to go to college don't need to go. College shouldn't be a developmental league for marginally academic kids who have no interest in being there for academics in any form or fashion.

I couldn't agree more. Attending college should about getting an education. The only downside of having the high school guys go straight to Europe is that it diminishes the opportunities for guys that do go to college and want to play after their eligibility is up. Which includes a lot of former UALR players. Would Europe just create more leagues..?

(04-27-2009 08:45 PM)Scotto Wrote:  I couldn't agree more. Attending college should about getting an education. The only downside of having the high school guys go straight to Europe is that it diminishes the opportunities for guys that do go to college and want to play after their eligibility is up. Which includes a lot of former UALR players. Would Europe just create more leagues..?

I don't think that's much of a concern. There are hundreds of professional teams in Europe, Asia, South America, etc.

I guess the up side is that for every one that goes to Europe opens up a slot for a real STUDENT-athlete. I do think it dimenishes the opportunity for the older players. There is a finite number of teams, even if it is "hundreds".

" I do think it dimenishes the opportunity for the older players. There is a finite number of teams, even if it is "hundreds"."

Not catching on to what you mean by this. Please educate me.

(04-28-2009 08:27 AM)PTJR Wrote:  Not catching on to what you mean by this. Please educate me.

Nothing earth-shattering. It's just that there is (I assume) a finite number of teams playing basketball, meaning there is a finite number of players. If the really good high school guys that have no interest in college, decide to go there instead of college (probably a good idea), they take up space in that finite pool of available spots. Because they will likely end up in the NBA (why else do this), they are just buying time. Therefore, there are not as many spots available to those that finish college and want to play more, but will never make it the NBA.

Now if Europe has an infinite number of teams, no problem. Everyone who wants to play, can.

(04-28-2009 12:57 PM)Scotto Wrote:  

(04-28-2009 08:27 AM)PTJR Wrote:  Not catching on to what you mean by this. Please educate me.

Nothing earth-shattering. It's just that there is (I assume) a finite number of teams playing basketball, meaning there is a finite number of players. If the really good high school guys that have no interest in college, decide to go there instead of college (probably a good idea), they take up space in that finite pool of available spots. Because they will likely end up in the NBA (why else do this), they are just buying time. Therefore, there are not as many spots available to those that finish college and want to play more, but will never make it the NBA.

Now if Europe has an infinite number of teams, no problem. Everyone who wants to play, can.

I think I'm getting what you are saying about the older guys now. But as MJS points out, it is amazing how many pro teams there are in foreign countries. Take a look at this link just for European teams:

http://eurobasket.com/

And here's a link that will take you to a lot more:

http://socalhoops.com/internat.htm

The good thing about this trend, if that is what it is, is that kids who want to play college ball and actually get a degree will have more opportunities to get their college education paid for and be successful in something other than basketball. As you put it, it would place the emphasis back more where it belongs on the "student athlete".