In the past, the only way to play professional basketball was to go to college and spend three years gaining experience. However, that is not the case anymore. Thanks to the rise of online recruiting, there are a variety of ways to get into the NBA without going to college.
LaMelo Ball’s view on college
LaMelo Ball is one of the NBA’s most talented young stars. His path to the league, however, was unconventional. Rather than following the conventional path to the NBA, he decided to skip college and play professionally overseas. In the process, he became the youngest American player to play professionally overseas.
Despite LaMelo’s accomplishments, he is not the first player to take the unorthodox route to the NBA. Some other standout international players have done the same. And now, LaMelo Ball has finally taken the time to speak out about his decision.
In an interview with GQ magazine, LaMelo Ball spoke out against the need for higher education. He believes that it’s unnecessary for most people and that he made the right decision for him. But there’s a lot of debate about the benefits of a college degree, and whether or not it’s necessary for elite athletes.
It’s a common misconception that a college degree is necessary for anyone to be successful. However, a growing number of young talent is choosing to forego the traditional college pipeline in favor of playing overseas.
One of the biggest questions about the NBA is whether or not a player who foregoes the conventional college route can still achieve success. Athletes like Lonzo Ball, who has earned significant money overseas, believe that the NCAA should make more monetary options available for elite athletes.
For a player like LaMelo Ball, skipping college may actually improve his draft stock. In fact, he would have had a much harder time competing in the NBA as a college student because of rules that prohibit players from becoming eligible until they’ve completed a full academic year at a university.
LaMelo Ball was a star in high school and he was a top recruit, but he chose to skip college to play abroad. Now, he’s a member of the Charlotte Hornets. During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists.
While he’s clearly not going to be able to earn tens of millions of dollars in the NBA, LaMelo Ball is a superstar who has demonstrated his skills as a perimeter scorer. If you’re a scout, he could be a top pick in the next NBA draft.
Brandon Jennings’ move overseas
Brandon Jennings’ decision to bypass college and jump straight into the NBA was the first of its kind. His story has left a lasting impression. The high school player was a highly-rated recruit from Compton. He also led Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, averaging 32.7 points, 7.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds.
A few years after graduating from Oak Hill Academy, he signed a professional contract in Italy. After one season overseas, he was selected 10th overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks.
The NBA’s age limit required players to be at least 19 years old. In the 2006 draft, the rules changed. Players had to be one year removed from high school graduation. This invigorated the college game. Stars such as Kevin Durant and Hasheem Thabeet had the opportunity to experience college life before entering the league.
While the rules were changed, it wasn’t easy for the younger generation of stars to get a chance to play in the league. David Stern emphasized that young players needed to wait a year.
When he was a teenager, Jennings’ decision was groundbreaking. Europeans weren’t used to welcoming American teenagers. It wasn’t the path to success, however.
Despite his early accomplishments, he was criticized for his immaturity. But his family and support system helped him overcome the setbacks.
Jennings returned to California to work out on his own. He then opted out of his letter of intent to attend Arizona to play in Italy.
The move to Europe didn’t set the world on fire. Instead, it raised questions about whether future high school players should take their talents overseas.
Though Jennings was the first to go overseas, there have been other high school players who chose to pursue their careers in the NBA without going to college. Some, such as LaMelo Ball, chose to play in Lithuania before entering the league. Other players, such as Jeremy Tyler, have skipped their senior seasons to play professionally in Israel.
Considering the NBA’s one-and-done rule, a future high school player would likely want to play abroad before making a decision on a career in the NBA. Depending on his situation, he might have the opportunity to earn a six-figure salary while gaining exposure and exposure in a different market.
Kevin Durant’s answer to college questions
Kevin Durant has been a fixture in the basketball headlines this season, but there are plenty of non-basketball topics he’s been tasked with dealing with. From rumors about his alleged relationship with Knicks’ owner James Dolan to questions about Kyrie Irving’s leadership abilities, the NBA superstar has been forced to deal with a lot more than basketball.
As a college player, Kevin Durant was an impressive athlete. In his freshman year, he led the Big 12 Conference in scoring average and rebounding. He was also the first freshmen to be named Naismith College Player of the Year.
While in college, Durant was an All-American in his senior year. He also took home two Olympic gold medals.
During his senior year, he was the only freshman to score over 32 points per game. In addition, he led the conference in blocked shots. During his junior and senior seasons, he had the second-best scoring average in the league.
One of the biggest questions in the league is how Ben Simmons fits into the equation. If Durant trades for Simmons, the question becomes, does he bring enough of the same to the table to make the trade worth it?
Clearly, Durant has a competitive edge, and he enjoys the attention. However, he doesn’t want to impose his will on everyone. His behavior on the court is a reflection of that.
One of the most interesting questions in the league is whether or not Durant will play for the Knicks on days off. Some observers are surprised that such a move would be permitted. The league is looking into it, and he may well be playing for his hometown team in the future.
Kevin Durant was a member of the United States men’s national basketball team in the Olympics. He was also a part of the University of Texas Longhorns, which defeated New Mexico State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
One of the most memorable moments of his career was being selected as the best player in the world. Kevin won two Olympic Gold Medals, and earned a spot on the NBA’s best players of the decade list.
Zion Williamson’s popularity in the NBA
One of the most popular players in the NBA is Zion Williamson. He has received a lot of attention in the past few years. Whether it’s through his exploits on the court, his social media accounts, or his endorsements, there is a lot of hype surrounding this player.
In his first four years in the league, Zion Williamson has had a lot of injuries. It has been a struggle to stay in shape. But he has been performing well for New Orleans and his team has a good record.
As a child, Williamson played soccer and football. Then he became interested in basketball. Although he did not get a scholarship to Duke, he still put up impressive numbers.
After his freshman year, Williamson was selected as a consensus five-star recruit. His size and explosive athleticism caught the eye of several teams. For the past two years, he has been a part of the Pelicans’ roster.
At age 5, Williamson had one ultimate goal: to be a professional athlete. He had the athleticism to go for a triple-double and he wanted to be a star.
Zion Williamson is currently leading the Pelicans in scoring, with an average of 25.2 points per game. This has helped the team tie for the best record in the Western Conference.
He has been getting to the hoop consistently and has had a number of 30-point games, including three this season. If he can make these numbers continue, he could very well win the MVP award.
Despite a successful rookie season, there are plenty of question marks about the 22-year-old’s physical form and overall commitment to winning. While his body holds up, he needs to decide if he’s ready to make the necessary sacrifices.
Williamson has the skills to help his team win, but he must also prove himself if he wants to be the face of the franchise. A combination of strength, quickness, and an understanding of angles can help him become one of the best scorers in the game.
With his explosive athleticism and uncanny knack for making opponents pay, Williamson is one of the most exciting young stars in the NBA. His versatility on the defensive end and ability to create space on the offensive end will make him a superstar.