In the aftermath of more underclassman foregoing college and
declaring themselves eligible for the NBA -- as well as high
school players skipping college altogether -- many writers are
commenting on the long-term impact of the NBA and the young men
themselves. On Tuesday, when Kentucky's Antoine Walker announced
he was leaving school, KU coach Rick Pitino said he believed both
the college game and the NBA are in "serious trouble."
REAX: In Milwaukee, Dale Hoffman writes the NCAA has lost
"lucrative star power" with the defections, adding, "This has the
makings of a ratings disaster, which translates into the NCAA's
least favorite kind of problem, one that costs money and has no
solution in the courts." Hoffman calls the NBA's new rookie cap,
a "good idea gone bad" as it encourages young players to get in
their three restricted years before becoming free agents
(MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 5/8). In Phoenix, Lee Shappell
writes those connected with the NBA worry about the effect young
players "will have on the game, on its quality and its image"
(ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 5/8). In Toronto, Craig Daniels writes the
trend is "probably damaging college basketball beyond repair"
(TORONTO SUN, 5/9). Hornets GM Dave Twardzik: "We're going to
have to start budgeting for more day-care workers -- not just for
the players' kids during games" (Rick Bonnell, CHARLOTTE
OBSERVER, 5/9).
