One and done: Kansas Basketball by the book
By Stan Unruh
Kansas basketball fans have a difference of opinion on the one and done players. New comments from the NBA commissioner on one and done players are upsetting fans and universities.
I didn’t want it to happen but it was inevitable. Kansas basketball is now among the top spots for one and done players. Kansas basketball is far from doing what other schools like Kentucky are doing. I still don’t like it. Fans barely get to know a player and they are off to the bright lights. I’m thankful Josh Jackson and Andrew Wiggins decided to bless us with a year of their talent. It was great for them and Kansas basketball.
They needed to leave after one season. It was also wonderful watching Ben McLemore for a year. His situation deserved a quick trip to the pros. I’m glad he is performing so well.
On the other hand, we all remember Josh Selby. He had a million reasons to leave Kansas basketball and just as many to stay and improve.
The NBA tweaked their original one and done rule. It prohibits teams from drafting anyone not one year removed from high school. The rule is not going away any time soon.
But Fox Sports Aaron Torres reported recent, unsettling comments NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made on his second thoughts about the rule.
"“I’ll take your point one step further. Even the players, the so-called one-and-done players, I don’t think it’s fair to characterize them as going to one year of school. In essence, it’s a half-and-done. A half a school year, and then they go on.”"
Silver’s comments are disappointing and certainly inaccurate. Ask Kansas basketball players and staff about the team’s Academic Progress Rate.
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In recent year’s Bill Self’s teams have been recognized for the work all the players are doing on their school work. As Torres points out the NCAA rules are in place for a reason. It prevents a one and done player from just attending the University of Kansas or any school just to make the NCAA Tournament. Someone needs to explain the reality to the commissioner.