The first thought that came to my mind after Kentucky won
the national championship Monday was: What is the NCAA going to do to keep
Calipari and Kentucky from dominating for years to come?
The outspoken coach has let it be known that he’s willing to
accept any kid that’s just looking for a ‘one-and-done’ situation for his
college basketball experience. He has set up a breeding ground for the NBA and
he’s drawing top recruits because of it.
Let’s be honest, most 18-year-olds are looking to make money
as soon as they can. They want to get out from under their parent’s roof and
live a better life. Calipari sales these kids on the fact that they can come to
Kentucky for a year, win a National Championship, get great exposure and be a lottery
pick.
If a coach came to my home when I was a senior in high
school and promised me these things I’d ask where the dotted line is and when
can I start. The sooner you can get to the NBA, the sooner you can start making
big bucks, which is all a young kid sees after having none his entire life.
That’s not to say that Calipari is the only coach preaching this
philosophy. I’m sure other coaches are telling kids that they can come in, play
a year and then jet for NBA and money if that’s what they want. But Calipari
has that arrogance and cockiness that comes along with a talented teenager
whose dream is instant success. He has the same mindset as them and can easily
connect with his players.
I’m also not implying that all players that go to Kentucky
are looking for a quick exit to college instead of focusing on their education.
But as I watched that team handle a veteran group of Kansas players I witnessed
a lineup that is ready for the NBA and who will undoubtedly be selected early
in the next draft.
Kentucky also has a history that goes along with the school
that in itself will draw the attention of a young kid looking to be in the
spotlight. Other coaches have to be furious with Calipari’s actions as a coach.
Their main job should be to further the kid’s education. So what can be done by
the NCAA?
I think eventually you’ll see either an age limit or another
year of college added. People hate to see the success the SEC is having and
they hate even more that a guy with the character and past of a Calipari is
finding a way around the system to dominate the sport.
In college baseball and football a student is required to
attend school for at least three years before entering the draft. Basketball
players out of high school are more prepared to compete in the NBA than other
sports, so making them stay somewhere they don’t belong for an extra two years
seems a unfair.
Ultimately I don’t disagree with the system or the way
Calipari is exploiting it. I just know outrage is going to be coming from other
conferences and coaches asking for a rule to be put in place that will stop him
and others from making a mockery of this sport by bringing in NBA talent for
one year just to win national championships.
You can follow Jake on
Twitter at: @j8a1k0e or on his MLB Braves blog at: http://bravesandmore.mlblogs.com
No comments:
Post a Comment