THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, April 8, 1996 TAG: 9604080153
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
Selfish. Myopic. Unreasonable. Out of touch.
Today's subject is college basketball players who give up two or three years of eligibility to turn pro.
Are they selfish, myopic, unreasonable and out of touch?
Not necessarily. Truth is, the adjectives best describe the coaches, media and fans who slip into their graveside faces whenever a big-name player so much is rumored to be leaving school early.
Did I say ``early''? Even the concept of basketball players leaving school prematurely is misleading. It's an example of how we've all been brainwashed by the NCAA.
Is a 20-year-old pitcher who goes from Double-A ball after two years to a spot in a major league rotation characterized as leaving the minor leagues early?
Do editorialists fret that the hard-throwing phenom is socially unequipped for the jump to the big time?
Do the media pretend that the minor leagues are such a wonderful experience that every athlete should stay for at least four full seasons?
Of course not.
So why the caterwauling when a college basketball player decides he wants his millions now?
For the future lottery pick, college is the minor leagues. For a few, it is a welcome experience. For most, it is a necessary step before they can realize their dreams.
When the subject of Allen Iverson turning pro came up a few weeks ago, Georgetown coach John Thompson attacked the vultures he sees circling superior talent, tempting them with their money.
Thompson's outburst was convincing only to those who believe that big-time college coaches don't stalk prep talent even more relentlessly.
A year after Joe Smith, Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Garnett went to the pros, college basketball now must absorb the loss of Georgia Tech freshman Stephon Marbury.
Meanwhile, Iverson and UMass star Marcus Camby, as well as Mississippi State's Dontae' Jones, Kansas guard Jacque Vaughn, and Connecticut's Ray Allen are said to be entertaining thoughts of slam-dunking their remaining eligibility.
In the narrow world of sports, you can see why this would be big news. It is not, however, bad news.
People who express disappointment over the exodus to the NBA of other people's children should be prepared to speak out against golfers who leave college early to join the PGA, or tennis players who drop out of high school. Or, for that matter, the music major who leaves school to hook up with a band.
The reality is, most of the alarm over the early hoop defections can be traced to the selfishness of college coaches, fans, the NCAA and the media, particularly TV.
At the Final Four, Syracuse's John Wallace was characterized as a ``role model'' because he stayed all four years. As if he had much of a choice.
The hype sold better than the true story: His return to Syracuse was the equivalent of a rookie being sent back to the minors to learn how to hit the curve ball.
It's not surprising that TV would do most of the hand-wringing over the premature loss of the finest college talent. Ratings for the NCAA tournament have leveled off, and the Kentucky-Syracuse final was the least-watched prime-time title game ever.
Would concern for the welfare of these aspiring pros be so intense if the NBA's minor league didn't serve up major entertainment for millions?
I think we know the answer to that. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Sophomore Allen Iverson soon may bid Georgetown adieu.
by CNB