re: Is this what basketball has come to?

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obtaining an education is a joke to most of these kids. Wish they had better advisors/role models.

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Even playing ball in Europe will pay better than almost anyone else's first job out of college, and the degree will still be there if they want to finish it at a later date. A lot of people aren't cut out for college, and wouldn't be there at all if someone hadn't offered them a scholly. The linkage of athletics and academics in this country is really a nonsequitur, and developed by accident. It doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. Talented individuals in other countries join junior club teams as teenagers or even younger, and progress up through the ranks. Their educational endeavors, if they choose to pursue them, are separate from their athletic pursuits.

You can say that the level of fundamentals being taught is inferior now, and that some are turning pro too early instead of staying in school and polishing their skills. And you'd be right But in general, I never fault a guy for leaving school to pursue what he thinks is a better opportunity-be it Jordan Mickey or Steve Jobs.

You almost never hear this in connection with guys leaving college for the MLB draft.