49 already declared early - CBSSports.com Message Boards

49 already declared early -
nekco Reputation:92 Level:All-Star Since:Jan 28, 2007
	April 27, 2008 4:15 am Score: 92
	According to this site, 49 underclass men are declaring for the next NBA draft. I think there is going to be some big disappointment for many of them. Not only are they, as individuals, going to be battling the other 48 under class men for spots on rosters, but they are also battling the seniors, who stayed the four years and improved their game, the players who are already on the NBA teams and also the players who have improved their play by playing in "overseas" leagues. In order for one of the ones declaring to get a spot on a NBA roster, someone will be leaving and there are always more young men willing to enter the NBA than there are veterans who are ready to retire. I would have to take a good long look at the average length someone plays in the NBA as a player before I give up a scholarship which would provide a better guarantee for my future than the gamble to become a NBA star.
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49 already declared early -
synopsisav Reputation:96 Level:Superstar Since:Nov 7, 2006
	April 27, 2008 2:58 pm Score: 87
	I would have to take a good long look at the average length someone plays in the NBA as a player before I give up a scholarship which would provide a better guarantee for my future than the gamble to become a NBA star. I hate when people say stupid stuff like this. I understand the thought process, but I can tell you as a college graduate, the 12th man on an NBA roster still makes more than I do. Guys who play in Europe make a lot more than your average college graduate. IF basketball doesn't work out, he can always go back to school. A college scholarship is worth usually $10k -$20k a year. Nearly all of the guys coming out early will make triple that or more even if they do not make the NBA, because they will get a shot to play internationally or in the D league, and make more money. Most pro teams will also pay for a player to attend class, if they so desire, so they would still get their "scholarship." The only question for an aspiring pro player is "will my draft stock improve next year." IF it won't, then there is no reason to stay. It gets you another year of earning real money if you leave earlier, and cannot put yourself in a better position by staying. . Now with that said, many of the guys who declared could probably improve their draft stock by staying, but getting a degree is not the primary reason. The tired cliche of "a degree is a better guarantee of future success" is such bullshit, and nowhere close to being true. You guys act like once you leave school, you can never go back, and it's simply not true. If you think you can make it as a pro ball player, max out your skills at college, take full advantage of the time you have as far as collecting credits, but make your move to the pros at the optimal time. If you get a degree then, great, but if not, you can get it don the line, since a degree will not help you get a job playing basketball. Now, to be clear, I do believe a degree to be very importnnt, just since a professional basketball contract at most any level is a six figure income at least, I don't think it is a "better guarantee" of future success.
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49 already declared early -
jasonb Reputation:90 Level:All-Star Since:Mar 10, 2008
	May 11, 2008 7:54 pm Score: 93
	The only reason they went to college is because they have to wait a year to be in the draft. Who needs them in college anyway. It is not like the attend or anything like it. By time there grades come out the leave before they are thrown out or on probation. Let them get go sit on the bench and blow through that 6 figure salary on weed and night clubs. by time they are 28 they will be broke and have no interest to go back to school, because all their lives they been pampered and they believe they are above the rules
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49 already declared early -
Hoopheaven21 Reputation:95 Level:Superstar Since:Aug 20, 2006
	May 19, 2008 1:25 am Score: 89
	Synopsisav, I agree with everything you said. You made some great points. My issue is that most of these underclassmen can improve their stock by staying another year. No question in my mind about that. They are getting terrible advise from "outside sources". This will occur every year because the NBA can't control the "outside sources/influences". But being a 1st round pick guarantees a three year contract and that translates into 5 mil (at the low end) over the life of that contract. The minimum contract making an NBA roster earns you no less than 300k (the 12th man) or go back to early classes & exams. So what choice would most make considering the two options? Not a real hard choice after all. As we all know, the lure of $$$ talk & the rest walk. You just don't turn down that kind of potential earning. The key is knowing you will be a 1st round pick and that's where the gambling begins. There is no "better guarantee" either way but a three year NBA career is a hell of a jump start. And "future success" has many meanings depending on the individual.
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