My April 5 column from CBS Chicago …
(CBS) Should Duke’s Jabari Parker go pro? Should Kansas’ Joel Embiid? What about Kentucky’s Julius Randle, or any of the Wildcats’ other fab frosh?
Well, if they’re sure-fire lottery picks, the answer is probably yes. You don’t gamble on that kind of money.
But as a college basketball fan, do I truly want any of them to go pro? No, I can’t say that I do. And, really, I wish that they weren’t.
Ever since high school basketball players were required to spend one year in college before becoming eligible for the NBA Draft – thanks to the NBA’s 19-year-old age limit – I’ve lamented the impact that the rule has had on both kids and college hoops.
I don’t really think it does much positive for either.
Recently, new NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has indicated a desire to raise the NBA age limit to 20, essentially requiring athletes to spend two years at the college level before joining the pros. His argument is that the influx of younger players who have never had a chance to lead has had a negative effect on the league.
Continue reading at CBSChicago.com …