Post by NCHoya on Jan 26, 2018 12:08:07 GMT -5
As for the other debate, neither one is an NBA player, for all the reasons that have been mentioned. However, both can make money playing basketball. While I think Jessie should stay put, get his degree and continue to learn from a legit NBA big-man coach; I can understand he may be itching to move on in life and begin a new journey.
I especially don't get the allure of going to Europe when it likely means (a) you'll never play in the NBA and (b) you won't get your degree. I get that guys probably undervalue the degree, but look at someone like DSR. He had thought about leaving after junior year, he didn't, got his degree, and then only a year or so into professional basketball he had to stop playing. You bet he was probably glad he had his degree at that point.
I also think the pure monetary calculation isn't as close as some people make it seem. Your senior year of college is worth what, $50-$60K based solely on tuition, etc.? When you consider it gets you the degree on top of it, the "value" is likely higher than that. Let's say you were going to make $120,000 in Europe instead. While staying in school "gives up" that salary, you are gaining the value of getting the degree (and getting the degree likely means higher earnings post-basketball). Thus, even in pure monetary terms, to me, it's not so clear cut that leaving when you're not going to make an NBA roster makes much sense.
It would be an interesting study to take all the guys who have left college before senior year, without being drafted, and see what happens to them. My guess is a low percentage ever make the NBA.
Not sure it is even about making the NBA, for some, it is about making a paycheck while doing what you love to do. So many players are willing to play years or even a decade abroad knowing the NBA is not knocking on that door.
And while I agree with your well-thought out, perfectly rational assesssment, I am not sure a 20 something year old thinks this way. Does he really want to entertain the possibility he will not make it and will need that degree to work a boring "regular" job? Who knows what value certain things have to different people at different ages and different life stages?