On Friday morning, Jon Solomon of CBSSports.com reported that several commissioners believe they should discuss possibly bringing back the freshman ineligibility rule.
The proposed discussion appeared on a 10-point list Pac-12 presidents and chancellors sent to the other Power Five schools last May, according to Solomon.
“I’ve had conversations with several commissioners about (freshman ineligibility), “Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott told CBSSports.com. “We are pushing, and I think you will see much more serious conversations about it in the coming months and year.”
Making freshman ineligible, a rule that was changed in 1972, is an attempt, albeit a bad one, to solve the one-and-done if trend if the NBA and the NBA Players’ Association fail to raise the age limit.
This seems like a drastic move for something that doesn’t affect the majority of freshmen college basketball players. Twelve freshmen (not including Emmanuel Mudiay) are projected to be drafted this June, according to DraftExpress.com, 11 going in the first round, getting a guaranteed contract. Obviously, that all can change. Players might stay while other players declare early. But the point I’m trying to make is that a dozen players deciding to leave school early should not be a call to make all freshmen sit out their first year.
Kentucky head coach John Calipari sounded off of the topic later on Friday (via Kyle Tucker of the Courier Journal).
“Every decision we make, which we hadn’t for 40 years, should be about these kids,” he said Friday. “Now, is that the best decision for these kids? Or are we worried about individual programs?”
But for some of the commissioners supporting this idea, they won’t have to answer Calipari’s question because some of that those top recruits will answer it for them by simply not showing up.
What’s better for you’re an incoming freshman with the potential of being a lottery pick: sitting out a year from high-level competition and possibly regressing as a player, or going pro (either overseas or in the D-League) and at least playing in games and earning a paycheck?
By all means have the discussion. I just don’t think you’ll like the answer.