Blog 5

 Written by Josh

Edited by Ray

Do these NCAA Programs Care About Injuries to College Athletes?

Many collegiate athletes are injured for some period of time during their tenure on a team. We are here to explain and educate why these highly touted prospects should be able to skip college due to contemplation of injuries from past prospects. 

Zion Williamson: Duke vs. UNC 

Zion Williamson was a five-star internet sensation, maybe one of the most hyped high school players since Lebron James. Zion was given this recognition due to his size, athleticism, and skill on the basketball court which is a reason why Duke University recruited him to play for their team on a full-ride scholarship. Everyone in the country knew Zion was going to be one and done, which brought fans out from every college to come to watch him play in a sold-out arena.  The team would trend online because of the highlights Williamson and the Duke team were making in the layup lines and throughout the game. Later in the season, Duke played against a rival school, the North Carolina Tar Heels. This is a very special game in the ACC, especially for these two teams, because it lines up for the ACC tournament.  This game became a memorable game for future prospects, fans, and Nike because of the shoe split Zion suffered 30 seconds into the rival game. This had a hopeless prospect who had his eye on being a projected number one draft pick worried about his future. Zion suffered a Grade 1 knee sprain which sidelined him for three weeks. This injury caused major concerns and disputes in the basketball world regarding the NCAA one-and-done rule. We could have witnessed a star player’s career cut short in a collegiate game while playing for free. Informing these young athletes about how much NCAA can deter their careers due to them just wanting their skill and name to bring in revenue.

In regards to the Zion injury, many NBA players commented about what needs to be done with the one-and-done rule. Isaiah Thomas stated, “Let these kids go straight out of HS!!! Too much on the line to be messing with college if you got a legit chance to turn pro. One injury can change somebody career,  Zion sit yo ass down lol and we will be ready for you in the big boy league.” While others argued for Zion to sit out or change the rule, Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz, expressed how these kids are bringing in revenue to the college/NCAA while they get no money from it with the possibility of an injury.  Many of these colleges will have/allow young athletes to compete while having concussions, sprains, or muscle strains. 

              

                                Myles Powell: Seton Hall 

Myles Powell who was a college basketball player at Seton Hall experienced this naive action resulting in Powell suing Seton Hall, coach Kevin Willard, and a staff member. The lawsuit states that they failed to diagnose a knee injury that occurred during his senior season causing Powell to suffer severe physical and financial damage(ESPN). Myles Powell was a stud during the 2019-2020 NCAA season, he was amongst the best in scoring for the NCAA and is the third all-time leading scorer at Seton Hall. Myles' suit is alleging it was a misdiagnosis as an ankle sprain which really was a lateral meniscus tear to his knee. Powell was projected to be a late first-round draft pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. NBA teams discovered the injury which impacted him tremendously resulting in him going undrafted. During the 2019-2020 season, Powell allegedly kept telling the coach and staff member his knee was bothering him, but they indicated it was a bone bruise leading Powell to believe he still can compete. 

Although Powell was not a highly touted prospect out of high school many young players can understand how the NCAA/college programs are a cash cow for the name of these players when they are succeeding. Some of the players have the ability to become millionaires in less than a year. However, if an injury occurs during their collegiate season, they can be impacted financially for the rest of their lives. The damages that occur from a star athlete missing time for an injury are not quantifiable. If these kids have the potential and want to bet on themselves, then the option to enter the draft should be available. The outcomes of a college season with no pay are very inconsiderate/ selfish to these young talents because they can change the lives of their families. Realizing that these one-and-done athletes aren’t there for school for those nine months should come to realization for the NCAA to understand that if the credentials are there then they should go to the league! 

Evans, J. (2019, February 21). Zion Williamson blows apart sneaker, heads to locker room with game-ending knee injury. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/acc/2019/02/20/zion-williamson-shoe-blows-apart-apparent-injury/2934508002/

Morris, J. (2020, November 22). New York Knicks: Myles Powell was the perfect signing. Retrieved from https://hoopshabit.com/2020/11/22/ny-knicks-myles-powell-was-the-perfect-signing/

Podcast:Get Paid

 https://youtu.be/q6u_M9ppQdY 

Overseas Ballers

 Overseas Ballers

Written by Ray, Edited by Josh.

Over the last decade, there has been a steady increase in the value of overseas talent and experience. You often see an international prospect taken in the first round of the NBA draft that the average fan has never heard of. And yet, these NBA draft stock evaluations place these 19-year-old international players ahead of many high-level American prospects. The success of these international players over the last decade is a testament to the alternative route of going to college for a “One and Done year”. 

Some examples of successful international players over the last decade are Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Kristas Porzingis, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. These are some of the biggest names in basketball at the moment. These athletes played for professional European basketball teams before moving to the NBA. They were playing at the highest level possible in their respective countries before the age of 19. This age of 19 is relevant because it is a requirement by the NBA for prospects in each draft having to be at least 19 years old, and one year removed from high school. 

These International stars have had the chance to make money before being drafted in the NBA to support their families. This may be life-changing in certain instances like the last two MVPs of the NBA having been international players, in Nikola Jokic (2020-2021) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019-2020). The international route has been more prevalent over the past decade, enticing some American-born players to play their year after high school overseas. The most famous example of this was when Lamelo Ball decided to play basketball in Lithuania. He was able to go overseas and play against professional European basketball players, and get paid to do it. He was then drafted third overall in the draft, even with the decision to not go the conventional route that the average American basketball player would go.

Lamelo Ball

The level of play in international basketball leagues was always a concern for the average fan when evaluating international prospects. The last decade has broken the notion that the college route is the only option for young American players looking for the highest level of play. More often than not, the average fan believed that the American players held much higher draft value simply based on the fact that they played college ball instead of being in an overseas league.  These international players are actually often more advanced in their transition into the NBA’s style because of the experience possessed by their year(s) overseas. 

Take the Houston Rockets’ most recent draft class for example. The Houston Rockets drafted 4 19-year-olds that had different routes to the NBA. Their first pick, Jalen Green, went with the new G-League route. Their second pick, Alpheren Sengun, played basketball through the Turkish basketball system. Their third pick, Usman Garuba, played basketball through the Spanish basketball league. And their fourth pick, Josh Christopher, played basketball at Arizona State University. The Rockets decided to take 4 19-year-olds that took the 3 most common routes available for draft prospects. The four athletes will be immediately evaluated on how well prepared they are as rookies, and more often than not, the overseas players transition the quickest to the NBA systems. It is not often you see an NBA team get 4 first-round picks, and use them to take players with 3 distinctly different paths to the draft. 

There are three main career routes to an NBA draft that prospects usually take. The first was graduating from High School and attending one year of college before declaring for the NBA draft. This is the most common route for high-profile players in the United States. The main route for international players is to play basketball in an academy until they are ready to play at the professional level in their country. This evaluation is not set by an age requirement, they can play professional basketball when a team feels that they are good enough to play for their team. This is a value I believe that the NBA should adopt, if an athlete out of Highschool wants to forgo college in his dreams to play in the NBA, then the NBA teams should be allowed to draft the player if they feel he is good enough to be drafted. The third route established is the alternative to forgoing college at this current point and playing in the NBA’s G-League. This professional setting allows players to get professional experience, and get paid without being drafted or going to college. It is an alternative, but is not a solution to the prominent issue at hand that is the “one and done route”.

Wright, Michael C. “LaMelo Ball Says He Was 'Born' to Be Overall No. 1 Pick.” NBA.com, NBA.com, 18 Nov. 2020, https://www.nba.com/news/lamelo-ball-says-he-was-born-to-be-overall-no-1-pick.

Psuarez. “Rockets Acquire Four Players in 2021 NBA Draft.” Houston Rockets, NBA.com/Rockets, 26 Aug. 2021, https://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets-acquire-four-players-2021-nba-draft.

"Cash is King"- the investigative vlog

 

Why Should One-and Done even be a thing?

 Why should One-and-Done even be a thing?

Written by: Joshua Gibson

Edited by: Ray Barrera

What if I told you that your paycheck, for the work you performed for an organization, will never be given to you? Yeah, exactly. Your first reaction would be to not show up ever again or dispute it with your boss. Now think of how college athletes have not been compensated for their countless hours of hard work. Many college basketball athletes decide to play only one year, which depending on the prospect can generate a lot of revenue for the university. So why doesn’t the player receive any money from the viewership, fans, and revenue they bring in? 

The University of Memphis has recruited one of the most prominent prospects, Emoni Bates, who was projected to be the number one NBA draft pick out of high school if the NCAA ruling (One-and-done) would have changed, allowing him to forgo college in 2022. Personally, I am excited to watch him play against the University of Houston Cougars with expectations of a sold-out game. Bates' name is going to bring young supporters (middle school and high schoolers) and alumni who have watched him or heard about him from across Texas to watch him play, including NBA scouts. While most college basketball fans are often concerned about their chances to watch a young star play in person. The NCAA is hitting the jackpot because this will happen to not just Houston, but all the teams Memphis competes against. When thinking of the revenue the NCAA will receive because of him others fail to realize the other perspective of maybe these players are being used. Some of these players' families are struggling and they are the “Lottery Ticket” to a prolific lifestyle.

 

Emoni Bates, Memphis Recruit. Photo: Emoni Bates Instagram

The one-and-done rule is something that needs to end because of how talent is blossoming amongst this generation of athletes creating more exciting entertainment. Even though athletes out of high school are now given the option to go to the G-League Ignite, the maximum a player can make is $500,000 for the year. While this is reasonable, they are still not receiving the full amount of money their talent is worth. As shown in the previous history many athletes stay in the NBA for an average of 5 years. Depending on the player and the contract received, any extra year can change their lives and families. 

G-League Ignite starting 5. Photo: NBA G-League 

A notable young basketball player named Jalen Green was the first high schooler to choose between colleges, overseas, and the G-league Ignite team. Green chose the G-League Ignite where he was paid $500,000 for the year and also provided a one-year program outside of the minor league team structure. The players participating in this team are playing against professionals while getting guidance from former pros. This has been the new trend for the last year and now many more organizations are leaning towards this option. The Ignite team route obviously helped these athletes because three out of the five were drafted: Jalen Green, Houston Rockets,  Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors, and Isaiah Todd, Washington Wizards. Now, they are eligible for a rookie contract and incentives which are better than nothing for a year in a college setting. 

If I was a highly touted prospect with these options I definitely would choose the G-League or NBL due to the fact that I can immediately help/impact my family while getting the proper readiness for the NBA. In conclusion, knowing that these young athletes are just going to school for one year to become a Professional why stress them on and off the court because in one year you can’t become a doctor or lawyer. 

 

The one-and-done rule can be seen as a selfish rule made for the NCAA’s benefit. The NCAA structure is such of an autocratic style because there is no negotiation with their rules or appeals. Decisions made by the NCAA are set in stone once in place and there is no room for suggestions or opinions. College and high school athletes are in a position where their opinions can’t be expressed for the one-and-done rule, which forces them to believe that the NCAA is a cash-cow business. This rule has been a controversial topic to fans for many years with little response from the NBA commissioner and NCAA regarding a change. 

Bibliography:

Bates, E. (2021, August 26). Emoni Bates Decision. Retrieved September 22, 2021, from https://www.localmemphis.com/article/sports/local-sports/emoni-bates-memphis-penny-hardaway-memphis-basketball-college-basketball/522-d7656bd9-0a2a-4a8a-81ef-d9355b5730d1

NBA G-League. (2021, February 4). G-League Ignite. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/nbagleague/posts/10158839210695289