It is certainly arguable to what extent the “student-athlete” label still applies to athletes in any major college program. But as long as the NCAA maintains an outward commitment to the education of its participants, the “one-and-done” system cannot continue to be rewarded.
In 2006, the NBA ruled that players must be at least one year removed from high school before they could declare for the draft. This left college basketball with a small, but significant group of players who enter college with no intention of staying long. In order to be eligible for one year of college ball, student-athletes are required to enroll in just six hours of Fall classes and many skip the Spring semester entirely.
A simple, fair rule would be to make all scholarships given to future professional players four-year commitments from the school. If Coach Cal wants to continue to pursue Final Four appearances with amateur Derrick Roses and John Walls, he can. But when an athlete leaves early for the NBA, his scholarship won’t become available to a new player until after his class’s graduation date.
