Fresh out of H.S. and into the Fire 12.19.2007 - Updated on 12.19.2007
 | | | | | | | | | | The NBA changed the age limit from 18 to 19 (or one year out of high school) a couple of years ago, but there is still debate in the hoops world as to whether this is a good idea or not. Many look at previous players who made the jump from H.S. and say the pros have outweighed the cons. I have heard many people say if a young teenager can go from high school and into a war, then why can’t they have the same opportunity to play the game of basketball? Many say if a kid has an opportunity to make 6 or 7 figures instantly they should take it instead of struggling with a minimum wage job in school. Others have said a higher level education is one of the most important things you can recieve and the transition from high school to college gives a kid structure and direction in their adult life. Many also say when you play ball in college, your game can develop physically and mentally.
Personally, I loved the school experience. I had some of the best times and memories, making many friends, going to different parties, and being involved in different organizations and activities. I got a better sense of direction and I learned a lot. I didn’t have the opportunity to jump from high school to the NBA, though; my thing in the latter years in high school was broadcasting and I stopped playing ball. But I did have the opportunity to go straight into the work field, and do some broadcast work at ESPN at a nice salary. It is definitely rare for an 18-year-old to get an opportunity at a top-level network like ESPN, but I chose to go to school instead. Looking back at that decision I don’t regret it one bit. I went to school and I still made it to my ultimate goal a few years later. I now have my own multimedia company, I’m doing what I love, and the experience I went through along the way is unforgettable. Even being flat broke and living on Ramen Noodles and mac and cheese for like two years was a great experience for me.
Although LeBron James had instant success and enough money to pay for everthing he can ask for, I still think he missed out on some things by going straight to the NBA. A good education, a good sense of mind, and going through the transition from high school to college or trade school is always valuable. So for me I like the one year out of high school rule that makes kids go through the transition to college. It may not be for all four years, but the things a kid goes through during that time is a very helpful experience in their young life. Some players do go back to school to finish during the offseason, and that’s good. But it’s so much different when making the high school to college transition. Patience truly can be a virtue, and waiting in the process can still give you many rewards. It would be nice to see players just making that decision on their own without having a rule enforced. So I have shared my feelings on this issue, and I’m curious to see how you all feel about the draft entry rule. But since some of these players did make the jump, here is a list of my top 12 best and worst players that went to the NBA out of high school, as well as 13 players I think are very solid. (Best) 4. Shawn Kemp 1989-03 5. Moses Malone 1974-95 8. Darryl Dawkins 1975-89 9. Jermaine O’Neal 1996- (Worst) 1. Leon Smith 2001-04 2. Ricky Sanchez 2005 3. James Lang 2006-07 4. Korleone Young 1998-99 5. Ndudi Ebi 2003-05 6. Jonathan Bender 1999-06 7. Robert Swift 2004 8. DeSagana Diop 2000- 9. C.J Miles 2005- 10. Darius Miles 2000- 11. Kwame Brown 2001- 12. SebastianTelfair 2004- (Current Solid Players) 3. Andrew Bynum 2005- 4. Al Jefferson 2004- 5. Josh Smith 2004- 6. Monte Ellis 2005- 7. Martell Webster 2005- 8. DeShawn Stevenson 2000- 9. Gerald Green 2005- 10. Louis Williams 2005- 11. Shaun Livingston 2004- 12. Amir Johnson 2005- 13. J.R. Smith 2004- * Not in any particular order |
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Posted by
Dr. jay
on 05.13.2009 | i agree to buddy..! . | Posted by
Lydia
on 01.31.2008 | I like this article, very good! I agree with your views Lance, as well as the others who made comments who agreed with you. They all valid points, I can’t think of anything else to add. . | Posted by
Dr. Richard Thomas
on 12.29.2007 | Too many kids are picking up basketballs instead of picking up books. Basketball is not everything, learning is way more important. It’s better to get the education early than to do it later. I don’t see why they don’t make them wait longer. Great players have come from H.S. But I’m still think going through college is better. . | Posted by
A. Hakim
on 12.27.2007 | I think the one year rule is good for these you kids. Going through that process is good experience for them at that age. Yes schools are making millions, but most of these athletes are getting their education paid for, the average studen gets in a debt there first year in, so the athletes have an advantage. It’s not going to damage a players life for them to wait one year, while they attend school. Heck most professions you can’t just climb to the top like that, so these players should be grateful it’s only one year and not longer than that. Most would bypa-------school if you didn’t force them to go. It’s like giving my kids the choice to choose eating their veggies or eating dessert. They’re going to choose dessert 99% of the time they’ll go with dessert. So I have to make them eat the veggies first or atleast make them try, before I offer them the dessert. Making these kids try is good, don’t just hand them million dollar opportunities right out of high school, make them work for it a little bit . | Posted by
steve M.
on 12.25.2007 | People decide their futures in regard to their personal issues, characters and social backgrounds. I agree with many about the importance of going to college and all its benefits. however, I believe that those adult men should be able to make a decent living if their talent allow them to do so without having to attend a campus.Countless statistics have shown that the NCAA is racking millions and millions of dollars every years on the back of those young athletes. Most of them will never join the NBA or enjoy a quality education because of the requirements of training and traveling. What about these kids then? What about their sacrifices and efforts? Most of these kids who jumped straight out of HS to the NBA did it because they had families to support and nobody can blame a man who is seeking a better life for his kins. Monta Ellis, Jermaine O’neal, lebron and others seem to be quality men but they have never attended an university! How many players have had a shiny college career but couldn’t succeed at the higher level? I don’t think going to the NBA straight out of high school is an issue at all if the young man is well educated and supported by good people; However I believe that anyone who works hard and is focus, disciplined and talented will succeed. The age limit hinders quality players from earning money from their work while filling the pockets of the NCAA and colleges. Leave those kids alone, this is America! . | Posted by
Trojan Man
on 12.21.2007 | I’m in my frist year of college at USC, and the high school to college transition has been very valuable. O.J. Mayo is in one of my classes and he has said that he has been beneficial for him to go to school vs jumping straight to the pros. He admitted he has already discovered and learned alot of things in school, that he probably would have never came across had he beable to jump to the pros. I’m not sure how long he will stay, most likely if projected as a lottery pick this will be his only year, but even this one year has helped him in his young adult life, as with me. I’m looking forward to seeing what the second half of the school has to offer. Being able to see O.J. at USC and how it has helped him personally, I support the nba’s rule, it has good effect when players take advantage of it . | Posted by
J. Wallace
on 12.20.2007 | As a former college player and pro player. I think the one year rule is good. Players need that transition process even if they don’t plan on staying the whole time. The Pro experience is very fast paced for a young player. They get much instruction from a playing stand point, verses being thrown right into the pros. Your game can develop alot smoother in college than the pros. Even players as good as LeBron could have benefited atleast one year in school. Also like the some of the others touched on, the people, projects, and classes you experience in school can be great! Believe me you may not think even one year makes a big difference, but it can have an effect on you more than you know, you may not even realize it right away. Personally I feel the NBA should have been a little more Stern with it, and be like the NFL where a player has to stay through his junior year . | Posted by
J.B.S.
on 12.20.2007 | I agree with all the comments, except Eric. Everyone is entitled to their views, but to me it seems like he hasn’t went through the process yet. Sometimes there are things you may think you will hate in school and it turns out later you will like it and you learned many things from it. Atleast you got a taste of the many different things, when you hear Greg Oden or other players who went for atleast one year, alot of positives came out of it for them. He and many others said that having to do the one year transition process was very valuable to them, and was very gald they did. I like the one year rule, and I hope players take advantage of it, and just don’t try to cruise through classes until the draft. . | Posted by
Grad Student
on 12.20.2007 | Well obiviously different people are going to act different ways. College doesn’t guarantee you’ll act smart for the rest of your life. But I see what Lance is saying. When making the transition from H.S. to college young is, a great experience when you use it right, example some of the classes you make take, the professors you interact with and the list goes on. I think for 90% of the people who did higher education, will definitely understand this more than a young kid you hasn’t did it yet, or someone who has never did it. To say being in college gives you X amount of years to be immature is not true, many students have to work ,do school, pay bills, etc... Some I know may even have kids or get married in that time frame. And I good sense of mind is common sense, which again develops on each individual no matter what, many of these players don’t have it, but some do. Also it doesn’t necessariy matter what degree you’re majoring in, because that’s not the only cla-------you take, you learn many different topics and subjects. The point is just going through that process can be good, if you use it right. Again you have to stay if it’s not for you, but it’s good to try starting out . | Posted by
Eric
on 12.20.2007 | Good education? You gotta be kidding! Look at the majors that basketball players have. It’s a joke. Football players are even worse.The reason so many people love the transition period between highschool and college is because it allows you to act immature longer. You get to put off being a grown-up for another six to eight years. And are you really suggesting that a "good sense of mind’ can only be aquired thru the college experience? If that’s true how do you explain Steven jackson, jamal tinsley, Ron Artest, Stephon Marbury, or even Isiah Thomas You don’t need a college education or experience to have a "sound mind" just some common sense and scruples. And those you get from home not university x. . | Posted by
Baseball-Guy
on 12.20.2007 | I always felt the NBA should do what the MLB does and have an amateur draft. That way a team can still draft a player, hold on to their rights, and a player can either join the minor league system and work their way up for awhile. Or go to college play there as well as get an education and when a player is ready they already have a team to go to. The team pays for the player to go to school with the signing bonus. I think this is the most effective draft system in sports, because it’s a win-win for both sides . | Posted by
Eddie Paul Williams
on 12.20.2007 | I agree that it would be nice for the kids to make that decision on their own, without a rule having to be enforced. I admit I have been on both sides of the fence with this issue for awhile. Sometimes I feel yeah just let them come right out of high school and play, because many have done very well. But then I look at the players from a different scope like J.R. Smith, the success went into his head real quick. He’s always in the press for negative things, his crew gave him the nickname youngrich: because he’s young and rich. I have heard him boast about having so much money, and has said he is too good for college and to go through that college lifestyle even for a second. He should be grateful that he made it. I have heard a few others do similar things like CJ Miles, Andray Blatche, Sebastian Telfair. But I’ll stop there. I know most of us in the world would like the chance to have instant millions, but waiting a year or two, I don’t think would kill any young person. I guess I’m just old fashion, I like to see people work hard to get to the top, it gives you a since of well-grounding, otherwise you start your young adult life like my example JR Smith, and that mentality becomes a bad negative habit of thinking. I hope he has attleast set money aside for school or made a good investment, you never know when your nba career could be cut short . | Posted by
Jessica S
on 12.20.2007 | Yeah I thought it was cool to see lil Romeo get a scholarship to USC. He has a worth like $50 million, has fame up the ying yang, but yet still wanted to be a positive example of still wanting to go to college, to boarded his education and young life experience level. I hope my fellow youngsters will atleast make a good effort to get on the higher education experience, before jumping into the big life too quick . | Posted by
TJ
on 12.20.2007 | I’m starting to see more stars wanting to go to college, even if they already have had success, because they don’t want to miss out on that transition experience. For instance teenage actors and young music artist. I think it’s cool to atleast check out college right of high school, cuz atleast you tried it, and got your feet wet. . | Posted by
Carlos Martinez
on 12.19.2007 | I’m in total agreement Lance. I loved the college experience, and I personally feel it something every young person get after high school. I’m sure life in the fast lane in the nba is great as well, but everyone that I talk with about life after H.S. loved the higher education transition . |
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