2008 Woodie Awards
Too soon to the NBA?
Chris Harris, Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: Torch Online Exclusives
The freshman sensation era has begun due to the National Basketball Association's ruling that a high school player must be one year removed from high school. As a result, the NBA's collective bargaining agreement has already begun to impact both the collegiate level and the pros.
Last year's NCAA player of the year was Kevin Durant, a dominating 6'9'' slender swingman from Prince Georges, Maryland. Durant helped carry a talented Texas team to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in his first and only season playing collegiate basketball. Durant would have easily been a lottery pick in the 2006 draft, but instead he became the poster boy for the newest NBA trend. Durant averaged a conference leading 25.8 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game. The awards came pouring in; he was named the AP National Player of the Year, Naismith player of the year and was a first team All-American selection. After the accolades and a decent finish in the tournament, Durant's next decision would be to consider would be to either pursue his degree or grab the excessive amount of cash that would be thrown his way.
Durant chose the cash and was the No. 2 overall selection in the 2007 draft. He signed a 60 million dollar shoe contract with Nike and is to receive $3.74 million in his first season in the NBA.
Also faced with the dilemma of pursuing a degree or heading to the NBA was Greg Oden, the number one overall pick of the 2007 draft. Oden led the Ohio State with 15.6 points per game and 9.6 rebounds all the way to the NCAA championship. Despite the Buckeyes loss, Oden would cash in. Along with an expensive
Nike shoe contract, Oden signed a three year $3 million-plus contract with Topps
Trading cards.
Three of the top five players selected in the 2007 draft were one-year attendees of their respective universities. None of the top-ten players selected were college graduates. This is an unfortunate fact, because these athletes receive their college tuition for free. Student athletes are constantly labeled as only caring about their athletic careers, and the NBA jump after only a year of schooling may be all the proof that is needed.
Last year's NCAA player of the year was Kevin Durant, a dominating 6'9'' slender swingman from Prince Georges, Maryland. Durant helped carry a talented Texas team to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in his first and only season playing collegiate basketball. Durant would have easily been a lottery pick in the 2006 draft, but instead he became the poster boy for the newest NBA trend. Durant averaged a conference leading 25.8 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game. The awards came pouring in; he was named the AP National Player of the Year, Naismith player of the year and was a first team All-American selection. After the accolades and a decent finish in the tournament, Durant's next decision would be to consider would be to either pursue his degree or grab the excessive amount of cash that would be thrown his way.
Durant chose the cash and was the No. 2 overall selection in the 2007 draft. He signed a 60 million dollar shoe contract with Nike and is to receive $3.74 million in his first season in the NBA.
Also faced with the dilemma of pursuing a degree or heading to the NBA was Greg Oden, the number one overall pick of the 2007 draft. Oden led the Ohio State with 15.6 points per game and 9.6 rebounds all the way to the NCAA championship. Despite the Buckeyes loss, Oden would cash in. Along with an expensive
Nike shoe contract, Oden signed a three year $3 million-plus contract with Topps
Trading cards.
Three of the top five players selected in the 2007 draft were one-year attendees of their respective universities. None of the top-ten players selected were college graduates. This is an unfortunate fact, because these athletes receive their college tuition for free. Student athletes are constantly labeled as only caring about their athletic careers, and the NBA jump after only a year of schooling may be all the proof that is needed.
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