| 
The NBA, College or Overseas By Lance Walton
06.30.2008 - Updated on 06.30.2008
|
Former basketball shoe company recruiter Sonny Vaccaro retired last year, but he made it very clear that he wasn’t just going to sit back and let young players be taken advantage of by the NCAA. Some of the players to have attended his basketball shoe camps went to the pros right out of high school, and others went to college but didn’t stay very long.
Now he wants to start a new trend since the NBA wants to enforce being nineteen years old or out of high school for one year. Sonny wants to help American-born players bypass the college experience and go overseas to play. The first player he may help do this is Brandon Jennings, one of the top high school players in the country. He made a commitment to Arizona, but his SAT score may not be high enough to get into college. Even if it is he still may consider playing ball overseas instead of being a one-and-done player at Arizona.
Many say Brandon could make $200,000 to $600,000 per year overseas, and a shoe deal and other possible sponsorships could push his per-year salary between $800,000 and $1 million. At Arizona his financial package for tuition, food and board would be less than $50,000. Obviously, that is a big difference.
Renardo Sidney, Jr., a 2009 incoming college freshman, may also consider going the overseas route. His father Renardo Sidney, Sr. said "For us it’s definitely an option." He also said "Brandon’s decision will have an effect on the younger kids." So after these players play one or two seasons overseas,they’ll likely enter the NBA draft if they produce solid seasons overseas.
The NBA once again will probably sit down and evaluate the situation, making a decision on what they’ll do with young prospects. Whether they get rid of the rule, increase a college commitment until a player’s junior year or improve their minor league system.
The NBA age rule bothers basketball legend Oscar Robertson. He said "I think that’s illegal to be honest. If you you can go and fight in Iraq at 18, why can’t you play basketball? This is something concocted by the NBA and the NCAA. It seems like it benefits both. It benefits college more than anybody. If you can go fight in a war, why can’t you play basketball? Tennis players do it. Baseball players do it. So why not basketball?" He also said "They’re not like where LeBron is. Some are not going to do well. Some will. That’s just the way it goes, and I wish the best for them. I hope they’re ready to play."
As I have said many times before, I’m in favor of young players playing in college. However, they should be allowed to make the choice without being forced into one.
Let HoopsVibe viewers know what you think about this issue. I’m sure this debate will carry on for a while. |
| | |
Posted by
MR Cranston Smith Sr.
on 11.3.2009 | We all judge, but it’s the self, that has to believe, Thats where all greatness start,but it stops when you listen to any one who say you can,t. I tell my son Cranston smith Jr.19 ,just gaduated 2009 ,from slidell high school its your life, your dream , don’t listen to any one who says you can’t go to the NBA and be a star, go get your dream and live with your choice.Be a man about your decision, which ever road you choose to get there, just give it 110 percent. . | Posted by
Todd Beckman
on 10.26.2008 | I hear David Stern is gonna press to the CBA in 2010 that he will want international players to have an age limit of 20 before entering the draft. He wants to close that loophole ASAP, before this becomes a popular trend and still throws things out of wack. He’s a control freak . | Posted by
Nuthin But A Brotha
on 10.21.2008 | If he is successful in this expierment this will become a trend for sure, unless Big Brother NBA steps in where they don’t belong again . | Posted by
Future Scout
on 08.5.2008 | Maybe you’ll be the next Keith Brambaugh marc . | Posted by
Marc Hollis
on 07.22.2008 | My name is Marc Hollis I’m 6’9 going kings borough community college I just came up from Trinidad to play ball. Come take a look at me . | Posted by
India Schaffer
on 07.3.2008 | In the the workforce world, they are a lot of silly rules. I work for a large grocery store chain that, has a rule that as long as I work with their company and I cannot work with one of their competitors at the same time. If the NBA says they want you to be a certain age, oh well it is what is. It’s not gonna kill a kid to wait one year. If it means that much to them to play in the NBA they’ll take advantage of the opportunity when they get the chance. If a kid wants to make money overseas do it. If a kid wants to at least get a jump start on their post-secondary education than go to school. If a kid doesn’t really care about education and wants any old degree, and wants to focus on hoops play somewhere pro until they can enter the draft and do the university of phoenix lol! . | Posted by
D $
on 07.1.2008 | It is all about race. Basketball is a sport that is majority domianted by african americans, and they are being told that even though they are adults they do not have the right to earn a living untill they have made millions for the NCAA. To top that off where do you think you are going to get into the most touble in college or the NBA? Once they are in college they are looked at with a fine tooth comb to see if they are recieving a single dollar. It is all B— S--- if you ask me and it should be illegal. . | Posted by
Young Rome Is Burning
on 07.1.2008 | The guy below me makes perfect sense. Even if it is just basketball, if they want you be 19 or older, than that’s they’re rule. If you don’t like than don’t play there. We all have choices to make, and requirements to meet, sometime or another in our life. These young kids are learning that this is what adult life is like. making choices. Brandon sounds like he wants it both ways, and have everything on his plate at the same time. Don’t eat too much you can’t swallow. Or be careful what you wish for. I’m out! . | Posted by
Common Sense 2003
on 07.1.2008 | Brandon Jennings is not ready to go overseas. He said it himself that he’s not really ready. He needs the right team,an american coach, and a comfortable situation. Hmm... that sounds like something college coaches do, spending time developing players and having more personal time. If you’re "pro material" than you should be ready to be in a situation without someone needing to your hand.He just wants to rush his time and cash in. Say he goes overseas and doesn’t do well. That could basically kill his chances over there and here, so then what, he’s probably back at step 1 again. Hopefully he’s thinking about the pros and cons, long-term and short-term. People say the NBA-rule is unfair, so what that is life. All occupations have certain requirements, whether it’s basketball or being a fortune 500 CEO, deal with it. If a job wants to be a certain, then wait until then. If a job wants you to have a certain about of experience and qualifactions, then wait until you meet those needs. I would expect adults to know this is hwo things work in the real world. Things aren’t always handed to you, some times you have to work hard for what you want,without taking short cuts . | Posted by
E Daniels
on 07.1.2008 | They would get a very good learning experience as young adults being in another country. Making a very good living. If they’re smart with some of the money they make. Put some aside for school. just in case it doesn’t work out. I see nothing wrong with that . | Posted by
Rosanna
on 07.1.2008 | Sonny made money of these kids as well. I believe he had his own interest as well. Just as Stern and Brand do. These guys don’t care whether these kids succeed or fail, and as long as the money keeps rolling in. The kids should look out for themselves as well. Hopefully Brandon and other players try it and see how it goes . | Posted by
Jay from DC
on 07.1.2008 | These kids should go overseas, play, and live there. And they’ll get an EDUCATION too. Education is about learning and living. What better way to do that than to go abroad, immerse yourself in another country, and be forced to live on your own. College students who did study abroads will tell you the same thing. And what the hell do you learn in your first year of college anyways. One year overseas is a better EDUCATION. . | Posted by
fight the power!
on 07.1.2008 | David Stern is a crook, Myles Brand is a crook. They’re businessmen looking to cash in, and wanting the kids to be broke and with hold money from them as long as possible. I hope more players do go overseas, and stick to the man. . | Posted by
altomanx
on 07.1.2008 | From the comments listed is get the feeling none of you understand how DUMB this rule is. Fact There is no such thing as a 4 year scholarship! All scholarships are for 1 year and at the end of 1 year (each) year they will review you performance on the court and decide if they will give you another year. THANK GOD for Sonny Vaccaro!! This is just one of 100 DUMB rule. Created to control about 10-20 players and as much as I hate to say it enslave them for a year. GO THE EUROPE and back the brake of this dumb unfair rule. If the rule is not changed you will also Lance Stephenson (2009) go to Europe. . | Posted by
James Cotton
on 06.30.2008 | It’s hard to say what’s the best decision. Look at the terrible freak accidents to Jay Williams, Shaun Livingston, and others. Your career could end in a second. So do you go for it while you can, or prepare in case you fail, then try. Looking at Bill Walker he figured he’d rather get paid and take a chance on being hurt, then being in school and not making money if he got hurt. It just depends on how that individual wants to leave their life. As long as your 18, it’s time to make tough decisions. For me I played all for years and it was worth it. My NBA career didn’t last long, and my pro career wasn’t what I expected, but at least I was ready when things didn’t go great . | Posted by
Sally Ramsey
on 06.30.2008 | The rule should be even older if you ask me. Learn to be a person first, and a player second. It’s ridiculous to give teenagers 6 and 7 figure deals. I understand some have struggled financially growing up and want to get out of it. But struggling early as a young adult is a good learning process. Now don’t get me wrong just because you turn 21 doesn’t make you any mature, but you’re definitely gonna take more learning experiences than going right into the fast lane. . | Posted by
Got Paid?
on 06.30.2008 | I hope this trend develops quickly for the sake of the young players, so they can earn money the beginning. NCAA are basically stealing from young players, they bring in millions, while only giving the young players a few thousand, that doesn’t even go into their pockets to spend. Many of the young players don’t want to pursue a serious college education, so why force them to go. Let them get started on their careers. As Mr. Robertson said, hopefully they’re ready, because some will make it and some won’t. The ballers will stack they’re paper and the fallers will fail, that’s life . |
No profanity or inaproppriate remarks. All i.p. addresses will be saved and abuse/hate posts will be reported to providers and authorities as part of the anti-spam act of 2003, thank you for posting comments on the articles only. | | | |
| | | |
|  | | | | | NBA Features | | | | | | |
|
|
