Jeremy Tyler going to Europe–Bravo let’s hope this is the beginning of the end of the one and done

Below is a post I put on the NCAA Double A Zone in response to NCAA staffer Greg johnson. There has been much said about Jeremy Tyler leaving high school to go play in Europe and earn a ton of money instead of staying in high school and being forced to play college ball for one year allegedly to get an “education.” Greg states that someone needs to explain to him why going to college for a year is the worst thing that can happen (in fact these kids rarely stay much past the first term, and saying they are actually going to college is debatable).

Greg–please. It is not a prison sentence and Sonny has never even alluded to that. He is saying what is obvious to anyone out there, even to those who purport to think this one and done is some educational panacea. Simply put Greg–for those of us who were or are in the trenches, this rule is simply a way to control the athlete, keep a free farm system, keep the money for the members of the association and the highly paid coaches, and limit someones right to earn a living when their skills are most marketable. There is no education about it when a kid is shepherded through courses to pass those “tough six hours” only to see them drop out after the national tournament once those millions have been earned for others. What’s the rush–you only have so much time to market athletic skills. Who are you to say he can’t do it when he is 17??

There is no exposure to college with the one and done, there is no educational benefit to the athlete, but there is tremendous benefit to others who don’t want to lose their cash cow. It is a travesty to those who work hard in college sports to do the right thing and push education when this is simply a way to hoard money and pacify the NBA. What is the worst thing that can happen–he earns millions and decides to go to college at 30 or even if he doesn’t ever go to school–is that the worse thing that could ever happen Greg, or are you just worried that 6 billion dollar contract might be a little lower if our best players start going to Europe? If we truly care about “education” let’s adopt the baseball model, have the NBA start a developmental league, for that matter the NFL. Stop letting kids leave their senior year to participate in spring football, etc. but you know what–it is all about the almighty dollar and the one and done is the poster program for exploitation of athletes.

So yes finishing high school may be great for you, and no one and done does a “year in college” (it is a semester and a half at best)but it might not be the best for Jeremy and last I heard we live in America and we have choices, plus he is going to continue his studies. If this turns out to be a bad choice for Jeremy, then he must pick himself back up and move on to the next thing. That is life and he can go to college at any age–if he wants to. Personally I think he will be very successful, earn millions that he controls, not the TV networks, institutions, and overpaid and overhyped coaches who talk education but walk a completely different walk.
Bravo Jeremy I hope you have started a trend that will force this one and done into the trash heap once and for all and let all athletes test the free market (like these coaches do)–Good luck!!!