NBA Draft Freshman Laiden

What does Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo, Kevin Love, Eric Gordon, Jerryd Bayless, Anthony Randolph, JJ Hickson, Kosta Koufos and Donte' Green have in common? Instead of heading back to class this fall for their sophomore year, they will be getting an education of a different kind. They will be beginning their careers in the National Basketball Association.

After watching the majority of the NBA Draft last night, I was amazed to see the number of players selected with only one year of college experience. The NBA has always drafted on potential, but some of these guys looked as if they were still in high school. I certainly do not blame the players for leaving school. If given the opportunity, I certainly would. No one has the benefit of a crystal ball, who knows what the next college season will bring. Will the player have a bad year, dropping next years draft status; or will the player blow out a knee or hurt an ankle, potentially ruining any chance of professional career.

The NBA's high school + 1 year, in my opinion, has done nothing but harm the college game. These players should be allowed to enter the NBA draft coming out of high school. They are old enough to vote and old enough to serve in the military, they should be old enough to make millions of dollars playing a game that they love. The NBA should emulate Major League Baseball, giving players the option of declaring for the draft after high school or after completing his third year in college.

The NBA marketed the high school + 1 year as a help to the college game. It would stop players from jumping straight from high school to the NBA. But what it did in effect, was give the NBA scouts the ability to watch these players, for an extra year, against tougher competition and in a different social setting. My guess is that most of the 10 freshman drafted last night would have declared for the NBA draft last year, given the opportunity. The NBA really needs to revisit the high school + 1 rule.