NBA rule undermines development of players
Kentucky proved that it was by far the best basketball team in the NCAA Monday night, beating Kansas in the championship game. The successes of the team led by John Calipari are well-documented, as is the controversy surrounding the rule commonly referred to as the “one and done” rule. The rule, adopted by the NBA, allows college players the option to enter the NBA draft after only one year in the NCAA system. While this certainly allows the top talent to move into the professional realm as soon as they can compete on the premier level, it also detracts from the NCAA “team” mantra.
For other sports — notably football and baseball — once an athlete commits to playing in college, they’re required to spend three years in the NCAA system before becoming eligible for the draft. There are various reasons for this, such as time to “bulk up,” mature or learn the complexities of higher-level programs. But one of the indirect benefits of these requirements is that it further establishes players as part of a team that’s in it for the long haul.
For at least three years you see names such as Alshon Jeffery and Michael Roth grow and develop into names revered in Gamecock sports. That development and appreciation is lost with the “one and done” rule for basketball.
You may not need time to develop a basketball team as you do a football team, as coach John Calipari has proven — living and winning by the “one and done” rule. But the intangible attachment and appreciation fans have for the years of dedication an athlete gives to a program is lost when an athete is allowed to leave after just one year.