Anfernee Simons, projected as a top 10 recruit in the high school class of 2018, is “strongly considering” bypassing college and entering the NBA draft, reports Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Simons would be eligible because he is in the middle of a post-graduate year at IMG in Florida, which amounts to a fifth year of high school. The 6’4″ shooting guard graduated from high school last year, his prep school coach confirms, and will turn 19 in June, which meets the NBA’s qualifications for the draft.
“Some people have brought it to my attention,” Simons told ESPN. “As long as the opportunity is there, I will do it. I can see myself going to the NBA combine, if I have enough teams to actually invite me or recommend me for the combine and enough teams want to bring me for workouts. I really need to hit the weight room hard and get a little stronger.”
Currently listed as No. 8 in ESPN’s ranking of the top college prospects, Simons has already attracted the attention of several NBA teams. Six franchises sent scouts or executives to watch him at this weekend’s National Prep Showcase in Connecticut.
Givony doesn’t expect Simons to help a team right away, adding that anyone who selects him would be getting a long-term prospect. However, players in similar situations have been taken early before, with the Bucks’ Thon Maker a recent example, and someone might be willing to gamble on Simons if he decides in April to put his name in the draft.
I see nothing wrong with this and if denied, it is just another example of how unfair the NBA & NCAA are to the athletes.
How fair is it when a floor seat ticket for Duke-UNC is going for $10k on stubhub and the 24 players from both teams can’t even accept an invitation from a booster to join them for Thanksgiving dinner? Either pay them a stipend while in college or allow them to enter the draft and return to school without penalty if not drafted whenever they want.
They do get paid…it’s called a scholarship. They get a free college education for doing nothing more than playing a game. Everyone else in college has to learn about a profession before entering it, why should athletes be any different? You aren’t getting a job at a high paying accounting firm just because you got straight A’s in high school math.
I will admit one thing though. Everyone should be allowed to major in basketball (or any other sport) should they choose. Take gen ed classes in the off season and have games and practice count as credit.
That’s fine for the “student athlete” but forcing someone who does not want to go to college at this time and denying them the opportunity to pursue their dream just seems ludicrous.
Forget about dreams, it’s time to wake up. They need to realize that they are not OWED a lucrative career. They need to put in the time and effort to deserve the opportunity at such a lucrative career just like everyone else. If you want to be a lawyer, you can’t just go and do it and then maybe go to law school later. Learn the craft, THEN get paid for it.
Ladies and gentlemen, a salty hater if I ever saw one. This is basketball, it isn’t law school, or an accounting firm, or any other profession. It is unique. Yes, the students do receive scholarships. No, it doesn’t mean jack crap, when the schools and NCAA are making millions off these student athletes. Its a joke. If the kids ready for the NBA, let him enter the draft. Yes, there should be exceptions. It shouldn’t matter that accountants or lawyers aren’t granted the same lee ways when exiting school. It literally makes no difference, its apples and oranges. Might want to turn down the jealousy/saltiness, its a tad obvious.
They aren’t forced to go to college. They just can’t enter until one year after high school. They can play over seas if they want. Besides, most 17/18 yr Olds are mentally mature enough to handle the life of an nba player.