Jump straight to the NBA, or go to college? OK, now let's say there's an age restriction from the league's new CBA. What school do you choose? Personally, I would go to college either way. It's mostly because I'm a big fan of the college game, but it's also as Julius Hodge said when asked why he didn't go pro after his junior year: "The NBA will still be there next year." That's the thing, you only have one chance to go to college and experience all that magic. You could always get hurt and ruin your career, but that's very unlikely and at least you'll have a degree to fall back on. I would try to do one of those three year degree programs like Duke has. Yeah, it's probably a pretty crazy thing to do, if you're LeBron James good. But that's the way I'd go. I wouldn't go to Duke though. I wouldn't want to just go to some power school that's good every year. If I want to a major conference, I would go to Ohio State, since that's my team. But not only do I prefer smaller schools (I went to one), I would rather lead a more out of nowhere team, even though it might mean we can't go all the way. A midmajor but a place that's a good school. Maybe a school in the Patriot League or even an Ivy. In the end though, I might choose George Washington. Most of the PL teams are in crappy cities, and an Ivy would be a little much. But it would come down to GW and Penn, I think.
I would definately go to college because the NBA is a ton of work, and you might as well enjoy it while you're still in school and have no worries, of course if that is possible via financial point of view.
I can only say this because I don't have $100 million staring me in the face, but I would go to college for the minimum years. Not only that, I wouldn't go to a powerhouse. I'd either go to Youngstown State (horizon league) or Texas Tech to play for Knight.
I would go pro. Some say go to school so you have a degree to fall back on, but who here would realistically stay at school for four years if you had the talents of LeBron? Plus who needs a degree to "fall back" on when you will have millions of dollars in guaranteed money right after you get drafted? Doesn't sound like I would need anything to fall back on if I busted out of the NBA or if I were to receive a career ending injury.
Liars!! You can all sit here and say how much you would love to go to college and play a few years because of how great it is but that is, pardon my french, bullcrap. NONE of you would turn down financial security for life to go to college. None of you would choose college over an 100 million dollar nike contract. You can say it now but if you ever had the real offer in front of you, you would choose the pros.
If I had the money like him, I think I'll go to college and get an education and not dissapoint the folks!
I can honestly say I would choose college, probably Stanford. Nothing compares to the experience of being in college. Learning to live on your own and grow into a man is something college gives you. The best thing college gives you is independance and freedom to do things are your own. Having a college degree is something no one can take from you. The 4 years goes by fast, and I'm sure if you are a collegiate athlete it goes by even faster. There's a reason why a lot of pro players spent all 4 years in college when they could have declared early. The money and the NBA will always be there. You will enjoy and appreciate making $100Million a lot more at age 23, than you would at age 18. But trying to go back to college later in life will never give you the same feeling it does when you go after high school. I'm sure a lot would take the money, but when their career is over and the hype dies, they will live in regret of passing on college. I wonder if these kids ever think about their parent, parents, or guardian in the decisions they make. They always say they do, and want to get their parents a big house, new car, and plenty of other materialistic knick knacks they think their parents want. But in reality a parent would be more proud to see their son or daughter graduate and receive a diploma. A lot of these parents sacrificed to put their kid in these situations in the first place. Giving their kid a chance to get the education they never had a chance at. Buying their mom a house or new car is great, but getting your education and getting her the house or car in 4 years is better.
im sorry <div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">I can honestly say I would choose college, probably Stanford. Nothing compares to the experience of being in college. Learning to live on your own and grow into a man is something college gives you. The best thing college gives you is independance and freedom to do things are your own. Having a college degree is something no one can take from you. The 4 years goes by fast, and I'm sure if you are a collegiate athlete it goes by even faster. There's a reason why a lot of pro players spent all 4 years in college when they could have declared early. The money and the NBA will always be there. You will enjoy and appreciate making $100Million a lot more at age 23, than you would at age 18. But trying to go back to college later in life will never give you the same feeling it does when you go after high school. I'm sure a lot would take the money, but when their career is over and the hype dies, they will live in regret of passing on college. I wonder if these kids ever think about their parent, parents, or guardian in the decisions they make. They always say they do, and want to get their parents a big house, new car, and plenty of other materialistic knick knacks they think their parents want. But in reality a parent would be more proud to see their son or daughter graduate and receive a diploma. A lot of these parents sacrificed to put their kid in these situations in the first place. Giving their kid a chance to get the education they never had a chance at. Buying their mom a house or new car is great, but getting your education and getting her the house or car in 4 years is better.</div> I will answer this with a quote from Chris Webber (prior to deciding to leave college after his sophmore year) "Yeah I will miss college, I mean I already have the Duke game next year circled on my calender but forty million can ease the pain, you know?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting JWohl:</div><div class="quote_post">I will answer this with a quote from Chris Webber (prior to deciding to leave college after his sophmore year) "Yeah I will miss college, I mean I already have the Duke game next year circled on my calender but forty million can ease the pain, you know?</div> You just supported my argument, at least Chris Webber played college ball for 2 years and experienced college life at 18 & 19. The money was still there for him, just like it would still be there for LeBron.
you really can't blame anyone if he choses to go pro. with that much money, you can just live off the interest for the rest of your life... college is really important, especially for the high school players thinking that they can be the next lebron james. not every high school player who declares for the draft can land a huge contract. also, basketball isn't for life. your education is. also, there is nothing like playing for an alma matter. it's not watered down like the NBA where players play for the money. it gives you a sense of purpose, like every game really mattered. actually, i'm not sure cause i'm not pro. but watching ncaa games, they just have more drama, like the games actually mean something. But, if it was just me, i'd go pro for a huge contract that i can live off for the rest of my life. anything less than that, i'd go to college.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">I can honestly say I would choose college, probably Stanford. Nothing compares to the experience of being in college. Learning to live on your own and grow into a man is something college gives you. The best thing college gives you is independance and freedom to do things are your own. Having a college degree is something no one can take from you. The 4 years goes by fast, and I'm sure if you are a collegiate athlete it goes by even faster. There's a reason why a lot of pro players spent all 4 years in college when they could have declared early. The money and the NBA will always be there. You will enjoy and appreciate making $100Million a lot more at age 23, than you would at age 18. But trying to go back to college later in life will never give you the same feeling it does when you go after high school. I'm sure a lot would take the money, but when their career is over and the hype dies, they will live in regret of passing on college. I wonder if these kids ever think about their parent, parents, or guardian in the decisions they make. They always say they do, and want to get their parents a big house, new car, and plenty of other materialistic knick knacks they think their parents want. But in reality a parent would be more proud to see their son or daughter graduate and receive a diploma. A lot of these parents sacrificed to put their kid in these situations in the first place. Giving their kid a chance to get the education they never had a chance at. Buying their mom a house or new car is great, but getting your education and getting her the house or car in 4 years is better.</div> I disagree with the bolded points for the most part. Sure a college degree is something that no one can take away from you, but so is the experience of being a number one pick and being in the N.B.A., period. The money and the N.B.A. will not always be there for you because like so many of the other "pre-Lebrons" and "next-Jordans" they bust out during their college years and don't even get to experience the dream of playing at the biggest stage. I disagree with the last point the most. A parent just wants to see their kid succeed regardless of how it's done (speaking in terms of legality that is) and would be proud of any success.
I dont kno wat i would do? probably college so there wouldn't be pressure but if I were the next lebron i'd look at what happened to lebron when he went pro
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting sunsfan1357:</div><div class="quote_post">I disagree with the bolded points for the most part. Sure a college degree is something that no one can take away from you, but so is the experience of being a number one pick and being in the N.B.A., period. The money and the N.B.A. will not always be there for you because like so many of the other "pre-Lebrons" and "next-Jordans" they bust out during their college years and don't even get to experience the dream of playing at the biggest stage. I disagree with the last point the most. A parent just wants to see their kid succeed regardless of how it's done (speaking in terms of legality that is) and would be proud of any success.</div> I'd agree if we were talking about a majority of high school players making the jump, but the example of LeBron James was used and there is no doubt in my mind he would be a success in college. LeBron James would not be a bust in college and I still think he would be selected if he played 1 to 4 years there. I agree, a parent wants to see their kid succeed regardless, but there are several cases where parents want their children to succeed in education before they succeed in their careers. A recent example would be Vince Carter, he made a promise to his mother he would get a diploma and he went back to Carolina so he could graduate for her. Being able to make your parents proud by being an educational and career success is the best of both worlds for them. Of course success is defined differently by everyone, but generally speaking education and career are common criteria used to measure one's success.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">I'd agree if we were talking about a majority of high school players making the jump, but the example of LeBron James was used and there is no doubt in my mind he would be a success in college. LeBron James would not be a bust in college and I still think he would be selected if he played 1 to 4 years there. I agree, a parent wants to see their kid succeed regardless, but there are several cases where parents want their children to succeed in education before they succeed in their careers. A recent example would be Vince Carter, he made a promise to his mother he would get a diploma and he went back to Carolina so he could graduate for her. Being able to make your parents proud by being an educational and career success is the best of both worlds for them. Of course success is defined differently by everyone, but generally speaking education and career are common criteria used to measure one's success.</div> Well the thing is that, especially in this era, the parents of these basketball progidies are the ones that push their children to work on their game in order to make the big jump to the league. Most of them do have the condition that they do EVENTUALLY want their children to get a college education but that usually entails that they would prefer the children to get the money first. Now that I think about it the relationship between teen-sport progidies and their parents usually turns sour so in the end if I were the next LeBron I probably wouldn't care what my parents had to say
Yeah... I would go to college where there is a massive booster program. Take the money and run. If I'm caught, go pro. Seriously, if I was a Lebron caliber player, I would go professional. Sure, a college education would be nice. Once in a lifetime experience that can't be replicated by anything else. But, $100+ million will provide security for the rest of your life. You can do a lot of benevolent things with that money. In reality, if you can go pro and get $100+ million, you don't need an education. The degree won't help you, and you don't need something to fall back upon if you get $100+ million. Many people ignore college if they have an opportunity to make a lot of money. (ie. Bill Gates, dropped out of Harvard)
Who wouldn't go pro with that kind of skills?? It would be a sin if you doesn't show the world what you've got!
I'd go to college for 3 reasons: 1.I believe college is a fun experience that no one should skip simply for money or fame. 2.College is a chance to learn and improve your skills, which could get me drafted higher. 3.Getting more exposure to NBA scouts.There's always gonna be more scouts at the Final Four than at a state championship game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheBlackWidow:</div><div class="quote_post"> 3.Getting more exposure to NBA scouts.There's always gonna be more scouts at the Final Four than at a state championship game.</div> Not true. If you are LeBron-like the same scouts that would go to a Final Four would go to a state championship game. The venue doesn't matter, they're there to scout.
What If? It depends on what you value. If I or my family had a serious financial problem that could not be avoided or subdued until further notice, I would say pro. If I was greedy, egotistical and wanted to enjoy the finer things in life, I would say go pro, due to the salary that 99% of all professions will never make in their lifetimes, and the perks that go along with the territory(glory, fame, women, etc.) If I valued my own personal growth as a human being, physically, intellectually, and spiritually, I would go to college, if possible, a program like Duke, UNC, Kentucky, etc. You will be well taken care of, receive great coaching, play against exceptional competition everyday in practice and pickup games on campus, and enjoy being a student studying a major of your choice. Athletes, especially at schools like Duke are treated like demi-gods anyway, so if you like fame and glory, you can still get a lot in the college game before you get to the pros.
I have to agree with Shape,I'd go to Stanford at least 2yr,Being twice as smart and "only" getting $50 million,if that's the case,ain't bad. If I was the next Lebron,or Gerald Green,or OJ Mayo,I'd hopefully understand that a bit of maturity,wisdom and class will help me make the most of the $,and 2 yrs of college ball will mean my game is solid,not just playground skills. If that makes me a better player over a 10-15 career the cash will more than even out. After a couple of years college,I'd pay my own way toward a degree,while pursueing that NBA career
