WHAT I’M THINKING

The prep-to-pro pipeline looks like it’s going to reopen. The NBA rule that a player must be one year removed from high school before entering the draft is expected to end when the league and its players association negotiate the next collective bargaining agreement, according to a report from The Athletic. That’s a good thing, if it’s done right. There needs to be a safety net built in for kids who got bad information or fail to carve out NBA careers for whatever reason. Teams who draft a high schooler could be responsible for up to four years of college tuition. Players who enter the draft but are not selected could maintain college eligibility. The NBA could approve 5-10 players per class to jump from high school to the NBA. The current setup doesn’t do enough. Those who go to college with the intention of turning pro as soon as possible must only worry about one semester or academics before they withdraw from school and turn their entire focus to draft preparations. Others who want to get a taste of the professional game must either move abroad or be offered a contract by one of the two developmental squads in the G League or

gamble on a new pathway like Overtime Elite. The NBA has the means to provide the most appealing alternative to college basketball and should explore new ways to make that route safer for top talents.