re: If Players Aren't Going to Make It In the NBA, Why Not Stay?

Gray, I am actually not young nor dependent upon my parents. And I know that plumbers make a decent living. But let me ask you this: if your son was on a full ride scholarship that had his room, books, housing, meals paid for and was half way through to getting his degree and he said, you know I think I want to stop now and go be a plumber, would you not try to talk him out of it.

I would. He can start being a plumber in two years. Enjoy college, finish your education particularly since you are not paying for it. While he may not use the courses in his day to day fixing of pipes, certainly knowledge about accounting and economics and marketing can help him be more successful in his business. And, if he turns out to not being a very good plumber, he will have more options outside of plumbing with a college degree.

Remember we are talking about kids who are more likely than not not going to make it in the NBA. They are leaving LSU to play for pedestrian salaries overseas, hoping to catch the eye of a scout and get a shot. It's not like NBA scouts will not see them playing in the SEC. Their "chance" is just as great playing in college as it is playing in Europe. So this is a question about whether it is worth getting a paid for education or getting an ok salary for a few years and then having no college degree.

I am of the view that getting a degree is far more valuable in the event of not making the NBA then two or three years of an okay salary and no degree.

Perhaps I overvalue education but I have been very successful in part because I became educated and had a degree that opened up career opportunities for me. And I can't even dunk.