Longer career = more moneyAlways a demand for young

talentExposure to big-time coaches

and scouts

The Downside: Why The Downside: Why Athletes Should Athletes Should NotNot Go Go

Directly to the ProsDirectly to the Pros

Student athletes need extra time Student athletes need extra time to develop their skills before to develop their skills before going progoing pro

Lacking fundamentalsLacking fundamentals

Focusing on academics Focusing on academics develops a stronger athletic develops a stronger athletic opponent opponent

Second Issue: No DegreeSecond Issue: No Degree

Injury will result in no fall-back job

Most well known players received a degree before entering pros, such as Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson

More effort placed on sports and not on school

Wannabees will give up on studies

Only one in a million chance of making it to the NFL

Players could be receiving great college experiences and having quality playing time in college

Instead players are sitting on the benches in their early years of the NBA

For example…

Tyson Chandler: graduate from Dominguez HS skipped over the college level and headed straight for pros.Sat the bench in his first couple years as a pro & also missed half of the season with toe and ankle injuries.

Players physically and mentally Players physically and mentally unprepared for professional levelunprepared for professional level

HS athlete who would want the HS athlete who would want the physical demands of an NFL physical demands of an NFL player would need the weight player would need the weight room day in and day out with no room day in and day out with no time for studies or funtime for studies or fun

mentally unprepared

StressFans, media

How is an average 18 year old supposed to deal with all this stress and still perform up to his highest potential?

Talk to student athletes about the Talk to student athletes about the situationsituation

Help them to avoid a regrettable choiceHelp them to avoid a regrettable choice

If you’re lying, I If you’re lying, I will know…will know…