Money Players

Crossing the packet line

Pete Thamel reports that college basketball coaches are getting gouged by summer basketball tournament organizers who charge hundreds of dollars for a packet that lists player names, numbers and contact info. But at least a few in college coaching are willing to draw a moral, or more probable, financial line in basketball. I applaud coaches like Kevin Stallings (Vanderbilt) James Jones (Yale) for expressing their opinions, even if they are a bit over the top. Coach Jones called this a "crazy racket...It’s extortion."

Smart people in sports saying smart things

SI's Luke Winn interviews Klay Thompson, Wazzu basketball player currently playing on USA Basketball's U19s. Klay is also the son of former NBA player Mychal Thompson (#1 pick in the 1978 NBA Draft).

I love Klay's comment on "one and done."

"I'd just say, go [pro] whenever you want, because it makes no sense to force kids to go to just one year of college. I don't get that. If a kid is already planning on being one-and-done, then he's going to school for the wrong reasons. He's going to go for one semester, and then he's gone."

Also, John Thompson interviews Maryland coach Gary Williams.

They talked about the insanity of barring athletes who sign with agents from returning to school: John Thompson: Why is that if a kid tries out for a pro team and does not make it, even if he was paid something for doing that, why can't he come back to college based on the redefining of what an amateur is now and how inconsistent it is among all sports? Gary Williams: I'll give you an honest answer. I think the NCAA is really out of touch with the kids today. I'm 17, 18 years old, I think I am good enough to play. I sign with an agent, I may get $5,000 from that agent. I go tryout, get cut. Why can't I come back to school and be able to play? I've never understood this. We're supposed to be in this for the benefit of the student athlete...Things change. These kids think they can play. So let them try. If they can't, they'll be back...[and] more kids would get their degrees because they'll realize they may never make it [in professional basketball].