Stay in School Until They're Ready

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

December 1999

As the National Basketball Players' Association decides whether or not to file a grievance against the Dallas Mavericks on Leon Smith's behalf, I've begun to once again contemplate the pros and cons of young men declaring themselves eligible for the NBA Draft following their senior year of high school or as underclassmen in college. As a result of the sad circumstances surrounding Leon's life before and after being drafted, many people have spoken out in favor of an age limit imposed on players in order to declare. Why? Smith's case is an isolated incident of, most likely, the worst possible scenario of what can happen if a high school senior (who has no business doing so) declares for the Draft. His case is the exception not the norm.

Personally, I believe players should stay in school until they're ready for the NBA. Therefore, based on that belief, who can say when a player is ready for the NBA. (After all, there are players currently in the NBA who aren't ready for the NBA.)

A few years ago, I wrote an article titled "Who are these Guys?" which mentioned four high school seniors who were contemplating whether or not to turn pro. Those four young men were Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Ronnie Fields, and Tim Thomas. Of the four only Fields is not playing in the NBA. He's in the CBA struggling to keep his dream alive to make it the glitz and glamour of the NBA.

Of the remaining three, it's very safe to say Garnett and Bryant have become stars (if not superstars). Thomas has been drafted by New Jersey; dealt to Philadelphia; and then dealt to Milwaukee. He's in his third year in the league and hopes to test the free agent market next summer.

Tim went to Villanova University for one year while the others went straight to the pros. Fields committed to DePaul University; but, discrepancies arose about his academics; so, he decided to skip college.

Today, high school players cite the success of Garnett and Bryant as one of the main reasons for them to skip college and declare for the NBA.

Dick Vitale has trumpeted the merits of going to college and staying all four years for the good of the game in general and the young men in particular. Vitale proudly proclaims the successes of NBA stars Tim Duncan, Keith Van Horn, and Grant Hill as players who benefited tremendously from staying in college for four years.

However, many people (Dickie V included) don't mention Danny Ferry and other NBA players who stayed all four years and have had less than stellar NBA careers. Going to college for four years doesn't guarantee a successful NBA career nor does it guarantee a successful career in the real world. Conversely, attending college for 1 to 3 years or not all doesn't guarantee failure in the NBA nor failure in the real world. Not having a college degree makes it more difficult to earn a good living; but, it isn't impossible.

Leon Smith has been a ward of the state of Illinois for the majority of his 18 years. His life has been very difficult and troubling; but, he shouldn't be the poster child for an age limit nor should Garnett or Bryant be the poster child for going pro.