In 1962, Reggie Harding became the first player drafted
into the NBA straight from high school when he was selected by the Detroit Pistons. Though he didn’t enter the NBA until 1963, he did play four seasons and averaged nine points and nine rebounds. Darryl Dawkins was perhaps one of the more popular players to be picked straight out of high school. As a star at Maynard Evans High School, Dawkins was considered by many as the best high school basketball player ever. He made the decision to forgo his college career and begin earning a paycheck at the age of eighteen. In 1976 he signed a seven-year contract and made enough money to send his siblings to college. Between 1976 and 1995, no high school players went straight to the NBA. A few enrolled in, but never played in college. It was just something that wasn’t done. That is until 1995. Kevin Garnett was the first to go against conventional wisdom and give up college for the fame and fortune of the NBA. He has been very successful. Many others have not.
Starting in 2005, the NBA initiated a rule that states a player must be one year removed from high school and at least 19 before the draft to earn eligibility to play in the NBA. This ended the thought of going straight to the NBA from the SATs. This rule has been highly discussed from all sides. Some call it a sham, and others laud it for allowing players to “grow up” for an additional year.
If my car ever breaks down and I need it fixed, and the only person I can find is an 18-year-old high school dropout who knows everything about cars, would I ever turn him away and wait for someone else perhaps inferior? The answer is obviously, “no”. I would gladly pay his fee, thank him for his work, and drive away. Perhaps I’d recommend him to friends. The NBA states, however, that regardless of talent and experience, a player must spend a year away from high school before playing with the “big boys”. This rule also diminishes an intelligent high school student who takes advanced classes, graduates at 17, and can drain the three-pointer better than Larry Bird. He’ll have to wait two years. Go ahead. Find the logic in that one.
The rule was put in place because too many high school players were skipping college, which deteriorated the collegiate game. The NCAA has enjoyed the talent pool added to its game. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said recently that if a student-athlete does not enroll in core college classes towards a degree, then it is a sham of the system. Many believe this is true – on both sides. The University is giving up a scholarship for a player who will be there for only one year, admitting they care more about athletics than academics. The player is wasting a year utilizing his talent without the benefit of a salary. People point to the scholarship as a payment, but if no real courses are taken or aimed for a degree then the scholarship and its money are pretty much wasted.
Two of the more recent examples of the negative image of “One and Done” players are O.J. Mayo, who played for USC, and Derrick Rose, who played for Memphis. Mayo played one year before turning pro and earning over $4 million a year. He also left a storm of controversy behind him, which may lead to fines and sanctions for the university. Was it worth it to spend one year attempting to make hoops relevant in a football town? Mayo spent a year in Southern Cal, catapulted his stock in the draft, and is now making his money. What has USC gained? Rose had a one-year stint in Memphis, taking his team to the brink of a national championship. He then went pro, and Memphis was investigated and found guilty. The school is now paying the punishment. In these two examples, the players benefited while the school paid the price.
How about if a player gets hurt and never steps foot on an NBA floor? Greg Oden has been hurt ever since he played at Ohio State. He did gain a nice paycheck, but what if he never played for the Buckeyes and earned an extra year playing for the Blazers? He had the talent and skill, but the league said he didn’t meet its eligibility.
The “one and done” rule will be debated for a long time, and it’s doubtful there will ever be a clear winner or loser. John Calipari may be the biggest winner. He has recruited players who are highly regarded as “one and done” participants (Rose and John Wall). These players win him games, bring him and the school pride, and move on. Calipari was honest when asked about Rose going pro: “If he wants to do what’s best for my family, he’ll stay at Memphis. If he wants to do what’s best for his family, he’ll go pro”. Calipari knew what he was getting with Rose. Other coaches want these types of players, but how can they face their school president and basically admit they are hiring a player for just one year?
Wall and Damarcus Cousins are teammates at Kentucky this season. If they had their chance, they’d be in the NBA already. Next year Calipari will have to replace those two spots with other players, perhaps more “one and done” recruits. Does that benefit the University’s reputation, or can they sacrifice that for a shot at the title? Integrity is at stake here, but it’s up to the individual player, coach and/or university president to determine how much integrity they can give up.
Email: Luke.Adamo@classactsports.com
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