This article features a story about up and coming NBA star Brandon Jennings who decided to play in the European league right out of high school.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=dw-jenningsbucks110209&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
I thought it was a very interesting article based on our class discussion about this rule yesterday. The writer glorifies Jennings for not taking everyones advice to go play college ball for a year. As we discussed, some people know exactly what they want to do right out of high school and they should have the right to do it. Sometimes we all have to do stuff and put in time and efforts to things that we do not want to do. For instance, we all have to take General Education courses at school in order to complete our degress, but why? Why should I have to take an art or theater class if it has absolutely nothing to do with my major? The rules of society tells us that we need to be well rounded individuals, citizens of society; but why should I have to do things I don't want to just like the arguments of why players should not have to wait one year to go pro.
Another thing we really didn't get to discuss yesterday is the fact that a lot of times, men are more developed anatomically to be able to contend in professional basketball straight out of high school. An eighteen year old body is not likely to be able to compete in the NFL or MLB, because of the lack of muscular build which contributes to the power they need to be able to contend with their competitors in their sport. So an eighteen year old wanting to play in the MLB right out of high school will still be sent to the minor leagues for a while to develop anatomically, not skillfully. The same for football players. They will spend a few years in college to be able to allow their bodies to continue to develop to full potential. Remember that these sports are more likely to have athletes on steroids and human growth hormones, whereas it is a visibly less common problem in basketball players.
The argument can fall either way. In the case of Jennings, it worked out best for him to be able to pursue his basketball career right out of high school. Others may not be so lucky. How can you standardize a rule though when it really comes down to the fact that each individual is different?
Michelle Silva
KIN 332I, Sec. 3, T/R 12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m.
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