The so-called one-and-done rule is subject to constant discussion, with most of it missing the mark. The rule itself is simple. The NBA has a draft eligibility rule that states that American prospects are eligible to be drafted once they are 19 years old and one year out of high school.
That's it. Yet too many people lament over a few of that rule's side effects. Specifically, they're upset that the NBA's draft eligibility provision "forces" prospects to go to college, and that such players make a mockery of the values of higher education.
Those laments are ridiculous. No one is forced to go to college, and these institutions do not need to admit these players if they are so concerned they will depart before graduation.
That said, the early departure of players from college does have some negative consequences that the NCAA should want to remedy if it is sincere about its academic mission or its stewardship of college basketball. To that end, I believe the NCAA's approach to the NBA draft-entry rule needs to be altered in order to both reinvigorate the on-court competition and better adhere to the NCAA's own emphasis on the academics of its athletes. And it starts by gaining some leverage on the NBA.
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Jay Bilas
College Basketball analyst- College basketball analyst for ESPN and ESPN Insider
- Played and coached at Duke
- Practicing attorney
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jay Bilas
Jay Bilas provides expert color commentary from courtside on college basketball games and serves as a studio analyst and as the co-host of ESPN's popular studio shows "College GameDay" and "College Gamenight." He also writes for ESPN.com and contributes numerous reports for "SportsCenter." Since 2003, Bilas has provided in-depth player scouting and analysis for ESPN's coverage of the NBA draft.
