Names like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Tracy McGrady are widely known throughout the basketball world. These players are considered some of the best to ever play the game, but the one thing that makes them even more unique? They went pro straight after high school and decided to skip college as they felt they were ready for the size and maturity of the pros. While there is a long list of players from leagues like the NHL, and MLB only a select few find long term success in the pros.

The NBA requires at least one year of college or players be at least 19 years of age before entering their name into the draft. The NFL, on the other hand, requires players to have at least 3 years of college experience before entering their name into the draft. The NBA does allow players who are unsure whether they want to or can make it pro to enter their name but not hire an agent. Once a player hires an agent they are no longer eligible to return to college. The same applies to the NFL, the main reason being that a college athlete is not allowed to receive money in any sort of manner.

Unlike Brandon, I believe that these rules are necessary and that a player should be required to play at least one year in college before going pro. The level of high school competition is completely different from that of the pros. Yes, every once in a while you would come across a generational talent like LeBron James (NBA), Mike Trout (MLB) and Connor McDavid (NHL) who have all won an MVP award in their respective sports. In the pros, athletes are a lot more competitive, stronger, faster, bigger and for the most part more matured. I believe these rules are part in place for both the safety of the athletes and the overall quality of life. Adjusting to a professional athlete lifestyle can be hard for even those that completed all four years of high school. You don’t just have to worry about going out and competing, you also have to worry about your financial management, owning a place, and in some cases even providing for a family.

All in all, I do believe some players are physically and mentally prepared to go pro but I find it in their best interest to go to college which is designed to prepare athletes for professional play and life. Recently, star basketball player Zion Williamson of the Duke Blue Devils was injured not even a minute into the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels. This once again brought up the issue of players risking their careers for college. As well it brought up the issue of college athletes not being paid as the cheapest ticket for the game was $2,500, but that’s a discussion for another time.

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