By Darrin Nelson Posted April 27, 2016
College is a place where young athletes to develop their skills, mature, and possibly get drafted by a professional team. And for some, the only reason they are in college is to get to the pros. Some student-athletes aren’t really students; they are majoring in athletics.
Most college athletes are around the age of 20 and are looking to catch the eyes of a scout. If a college athlete is performing at a level that could allow them to go pro they have the choice to stay in college or leave.
The name for the athletes who one to move on to the next level after only one year of college is “one and done”. One-and-done players apply to mainly basketball, for football players to be drafted they must be at least a junior in college. Baseball players can be drafted right out of high school as Bryce Harper was; although he did play one year of junior college ball at the age of 17.
Many college basketball players leave after one year to go pro so they can get paid. Some examples are Jhalil Okafor, D’Angelo Russell, Carmelo Anthony, and Kevin Durant to name a few. There are many others, however, who have not enjoyed the same success as these players.
Should they be able to leave after one year? Some people think they should have to stay longer while others don’t think they should have to attend college at all; think Kobe or Lebron. Why shouldn’t a player who wants to try the NBA right out of high school be able to do so?
Yes, some of them will fail miserably. At least we wouldn’t have to experience what LSU went through this year with Ben Simmons. He was a great player but on all accounts was only there to serve his one year so he could enter the draft. After announcing for the draft he actually withdrew from school. Thus he didn’t really attend college for a year, but a season.
