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/