One and Done - Dump this rule?

[LIONS90045]

>:(Sorry, despite tomorrow NBA draft, I'm in the summer doldrums with basketball news so here is a new topic to discuss. Not really an LMU issue yet (unless you count Bayno), it is an interesting question for all basketball fans.
The linked ESPN article argues that it's time to be done with this rule, which is based on age I believe and which forces players ready for the NBA to play a year somewhere else, mostly in college. It argues that guys like Mayo and Rose really had no interest in being on campus or the related academics. They have made a reputation and enjoyed allowable perks since youth and really wanted to go Pro but had to pay their dues by playing one more year outside the NBA for debatable reasons.
Because they were indifferent to the college scene, NCAA violations were bound to come as they tried to cash in on their fame and continue to enjoy their perks before reaching the pro scene.
I think there is merit to the argument to dump the "one and done" rule and let the universities focus on the student athletes that are talented and want to take advantage of the schooling to improve their quality of life.
What do others think?
Maybe, and I hope not, this will one day be an issue for LMU basketball.

sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=4277155

[oldestlion]

Why should colleges mess around with supposed student/athletes who only want to use the system? For the coaches the answer is simple, the win-loss record.

For the rest, let the pro-qualified go to the pros immediately. If they have any student potential, they can get their degrees on their schedule and they'll have the money to pay for their education instead of foisting tremendous costs on the universities.

The real soultion is to make the contract situation between the athlete and the university fair to both parties. The parties should sign a contract that says the university willl provide an athletic scholarship, if the athlete remains eligible, four four or five years, with the provision that the scholarship will remain in force if the student is injured.

If the athlete leaves for the pros prior to graduation, he is responsible for reimbursing the university for the costs of his education. Period!

[LIONS90045]

Good thought oldestlion.
I agree that the players from high school who are ready to go pro should do so on their own timetable.
Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are good examples. The rules as they now stand seem arbitrary without any real rationale that will stand up under scrutiny.
I like your thoughts on kids who bolt that they reimburse the university. I recently checked and a year at LMU costs $53,500, a pittance to a multi-million salary of NBA players but significant money to most schools.

[fanblade]

Kids should not be going to college if they do not want to be going to college. I agree that the one and done is ridiculous and the "OJ Mayo" controversy is a great example of it. What good did it really accomplish? Oh, it probably helped fuel USC's donation plate and that is a reason why I can see BCS schools hoping that "one and done" stays around.