Does staying in college really help players develop more?

[Jameerthefear]

It seems like it wouldn't as long as they are getting minutes in the NBA. Better training staff and equipment seems like the NBA would be a better choice... so is it a myth?

[CelticBaller]

It doesn't

[Magic731]

It makes the player look better when they turn pro. Otherwise they can get little minutes in their first season and it isn't long be everyone gives up on them.

[rip2]

Character and education. Not ball-skills.

[Bibby4Three]

Why wouldn't extra game time against your peers not develop you more?

Of course it does.

[outbreak]

Depends on the player, for a guy who's going to be a clear project that the team doesn't really need it helps because when he joins the NBA he likely isn't getting big minutes and the schedule can mess up his training. It also helps that your likely to be more dominate in college against kids so you can experiement more and gain some moves and confidence that you likely won't get being an outside lottery rookie who will likely be told to perform one role and get pulled for a mistake.

Plus he will not be the priority in the gym, i remember reading about daniel orton having to get to the gym extremely early as once the rest of the orlando team started showing up he was pushed off the courts until practice started proper. Coaches aren't always going to prioritize some players in the NBA whereas in college they are more likely to get the coaches attention.

For a guy who's going to be playing big minutes anyway I think it only helps them mature and hopefully learn to be more team orientated and learn a few life lessons before becoming an instant millionaire.

[HylianNightmare]

Depends on if they are in a position to come into the league and get minutes and develop or rot on the bench

[Fire Colangelo]

It really depends on the personality of the player imo.

If you're already really disciplined and had a great work ethic like Kobe and KG, then hell yeah you're gonna succeed whether you went to college or not. However, with the Kwame Browns of the world that did not have great work ethic and discipline, maybe College was the way to go.

[Bodhi]

Why wouldn't extra game time against your peers not develop you more?

Of course it does.
Why is college playing time worth more than NBA playing time?

Notice how it's typically older NBA players who say players need to spend more time in college. It's because those guys are competing against 20 year olds for roster spots

[Jameerthefear]

Depends on the player, for a guy who's going to be a clear project that the team doesn't really need it helps because when he joins the NBA he likely isn't getting big minutes and the schedule can mess up his training. It also helps that your likely to be more dominate in college against kids so you can experiement more and gain some moves and confidence that you likely won't get being an outside lottery rookie who will likely be told to perform one role and get pulled for a mistake.

Plus he will not be the priority in the gym, i remember reading about daniel orton having to get to the gym extremely early as once the rest of the orlando team started showing up he was pushed off the courts until practice started proper. Coaches aren't always going to prioritize some players in the NBA whereas in college they are more likely to get the coaches attention.

For a guy who's going to be playing big minutes anyway I think it only helps them mature and hopefully learn to be more team orientated and learn a few life lessons before becoming an instant millionaire.
Didn't know that about Orton. I feel like NBA players should be able to hire trainers with all the money they have though...

[retaxis]

It makes them more mature and teaches them life skills and perspective. An 18 year old person might get their first pay check and lose sight of the bigger picture where as a 4 year college graduate would have more knowledge and skills to develop their game despite getting a big contract.

[Le Shaqtus]

In helped for someone who isn't in the spotlight like Parsons, who stayed in college to pick his game up and managed to get drafted in the 2nd round (even though he was a steal)

I don't see the point for Embiid, he's a top 10 pick regardless and getting into the NBA straight away will only help his game.

[navy]

Depends on the player.

[HylianNightmare]

Didn't know that about Orton. I feel like NBA players should be able to hire trainers with all the money they have though...
Dude was trash anyway

[BasedTom]

Like other people have stated, it depends. But I'd say that generally it's better for a player to stay a few years.

And sometimes you have good players in excellent systems with long-tenured coaches getting sent from a top basketball program to a dysfunctional environment. Like the Cavaliers right now.

[Jameerthefear]

In helped for someone who isn't in the spotlight like Parsons, who stayed in college to pick his game up and managed to get drafted in the 2nd round (even though he was a steal)

I don't see the point for Embiid, he's a top 10 pick regardless and getting into the NBA straight away will only help his game.
yeah i don't see any reason at all for embiid to stay. just statpadding vs lesser players. needs to bulk up anyways and the nba is better with that then college

[Jameerthefear]

Dude was trash anyway
you loved orton :no:

[Bodhi]

Like other people have stated, it depends. But I'd say that generally it's better for a player to stay a few years.

And sometimes you have good players in excellent systems with long-tenured coaches getting sent from a top basketball program to a dysfunctional environment. Like the Cavaliers right now.

I don't think it's ever better for a potentially elite player to stay several years in college. Best case scenario you move up a few spots in your draft position and make a tiny bit more money. Worse cast scenario, you drop out of the first round and lose millions. If Anthony Bennet had stayed in college for 4 years but shown no progress, would he be drafted?

[BigMacAttack]

I think Wiggins could benefit. Coming into the league with a reliable J would help him so much. Also can work on fighting through contact.

In saying that he is going top five so I wouldnt advise him to stay, but he could benefit.

[LAZERUSS]

I grew up a huge fan of college basketball. In fact, I witnessed the entire Bruin dynasty from '64 thru '75. And damn, it was great back then. Players like Elvin Hayes, Pistol Pete, Wes Unseld, as well as Alcindor. And they dominated for three years, too. In fact, had freshmen been allowed to play in the Alcindor era, and UCLA likely would have won 10 straight titles.

Having said, though, it has become a fact that many of these great players are NBA-ready (or nearly NBA-ready) right out of high school. And it is not just in basketball, either. For years even the best baseball players had to do their time in the minors (my god, how did Spahn win 363 games, BTW?) And look at NFL QBs now, too. Again, for years the norm was for young QBs, like Rodgers, to sit back and "learn" the game. But the reality is, 20 year olds are nearly in their physical primes, and it is a complete waste to wait until they are 25, or older, to get their oportunities. Makes no financial sense, either.

[Milbuck]

It makes the transition much smoother. Going from high school to 1 year of college immediately to the NBA isn't something all high-level prospects deal with well. Generally, it depends on the prospect.

With wings like Jabari and Wiggins, there's two different situations going on. Wiggins is a classic one-and-done prospect. He's a ridiculous athlete with a game suited more for the pros than the college game. His game would benefit much more from developing in the NBA than being restricted in college. Jabari on the other hand looks phenomenal in college, but could potentially struggle a bit in his early years in the league due to his physical characteristics (good size, but somewhat bulky and not a top-notch athlete). He could use college to continue honing his skills and truly find what his niche is in the pros, so when he's actually in the NBA he's ready to go.

It's especially important for big men. A lot of their game is based off of being able to bang with other PFs and Cs in the post. Between dwarfing the competition in high school to being dwarfed in the NBA, it's good to have substantial preparation for that transition in college. Big men are vulnerable prospects. If taught/developed correctly they could be great. If not, they could bust pretty badly.

The benefits of staying in college is sometimes overstated, but it's not unjustified.

[I<3NBA]

it helps because in college, the coach will take the time to teach you. and the players will also have the time to develop.

in the NBA, rookies won't get nearly as much attention, and more often than not, they are just used as practice fodder.

in a couple of years, they are out of the NBA before they can even develop. so the chance is wasted.

[finchyyy]

Depends on the player. For someone like Shaq, him staying that extra year wouldn't have helped at all. For someone like Dwight, who has average footwork, it may have helped to go to college and learn more of the fundamentals.

[T_L_P]

More college years makes a player more NBA ready, in my opinion.

Duncan and Shaq dominated in their rookie seasons, for example, but if they entered the league after 1 year of college I doubt they would have even got more than 30 minutes per game.

[Sarcastic]

it helps because in college, the coach will take the time to teach you. and the players will also have the time to develop.

in the NBA, rookies won't get nearly as much attention, and more often than not, they are just used as practice fodder.

in a couple of years, they are out of the NBA before they can even develop. so the chance is wasted.


Where did you get that crap from? A college coach doesn't get hired to teach young players, and prepare them for the NBA. They get hired to win games, and the second that they feel a young kid can't help them, his minutes and plays will get reduced drastically.

[Fiasco]

I'm pretty sure there's a blog out there that proves the exact opposite

[Lebron23]

Some guys are really good enough to play in the NBA at age 19 and 20.

[outbreak]

Where did you get that crap from? A college coach doesn't get hired to teach young players, and prepare them for the NBA. They get hired to win games, and the second that they feel a young kid can't help them, his minutes and plays will get reduced drastically.

They are also judged on how many players they turn into pros, to be a successful team you must be good at recruiting, to recruit a good class you must have a proven history of improving players and coaching players who pan out in the NBA.

In regards to Orton even though he was trash if he had of stayed longer in college and potentially learnt some fundamentals he could have had a decent career as a back up big.

It all depends on the player and what situation they are likely to land in.

Jameer you mentioned hiring your own trainers but for a rookie with a hectic schedule who's low first round they could be making under a mil and a full time coach whos actually decent and who expects to be paid to travel constantly with you is going to run up a pretty hefty price tag. I'm not saying players can't do it but just in some cases where players don't have the fundimentals and aren't like embiid where they just ooze potential to be a top tier player they can probably benefit more by learning the skills they will need to have an impact and grab the coaches eye in college.

[TheMarkMadsen]

yes it does, guys like Darius, Dajuan, and many others could have benefited from playing in college.

some players are good enough to dominate HS but are average players in college, too many of those "dominate" HS players used to come out in the draft and ended up as scrubs who either a) were clearly not good enough or b) had no work ethic, ( which they might have developed in college after seeing how they weren't dominating against comparable talent)

[oarabbus]

It does for Bigmen... KG is the exception to the rule. Almost every great PF/C spent some time in college

[DonDadda59]

It does for guys like Embiid who didn't start playing basketball until much later in life than the average. Guys like Duncan and Hakeem benefited tremendously from staying in College. NBA coaches don't have time to teach guys how to play basketball.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Depends on the coach they play for. Player development is key. And I do believe when players have the opportunity to become leaders of their college teams, it greatly benefits them down the line. Usually freshman don't get that opportunity.

Obviously Emotionally and maturity wise it does as well. Well most of the time.

[Solefade]

would jordan be as good if he just came straight out of high school?

[gts]

Depends on the situation and player, where he's going to school and or where he goes after being drafted... Some are ready some clearly aren't, some never get a real chance to answer the question either way or they're placed in a no win situation.

I don't think there's a standard answer

[veilside23]

would jordan be as good if he just came straight out of high school?


yes because it all depends on the player to be honest... some guys benefit staying in college others who jump straight into nba ... but if you have a work ethic and the money then it could make you better.. paul george , afflalo , and others... afflalo for one stayed in college but did he get better yes maybe but look at him now he is a much more polished on both sides of the court.

so it all depends on the player's work ethic ...

[Al Thorton]

totally depends on the guy. i don't think kobe or lebron would've really benefited from it but obviously sebastian telfair should've gone to school

[Artillery]

Depends on the player really. 4 years is too long IMO. 2 or 3 is more than enough..

[Artillery]

It does for guys like Embiid who didn't start playing basketball until much later in life than the average. Guys like Duncan and Hakeem benefited tremendously from staying in College. NBA coaches don't have time to teach guys how to play basketball.

Duncan didn't need to stay four years though. He looked NBA ready after his sophmore season.

[wakencdukest]

I think it does for most players. There are a select few who have the maturity and body to play right away in the NBA, but the majority need some time to grow, learn the fundamentals, and mature.

[FireDavidKahn]

Yes it does. Look back to some of the all time greats who dominated even in their rookie season after staying in college. MJ, Shaq, Tim Duncan, Magic, Ralph Sampson, Hakeem, David Robinson, Larry Bird, the list goes on and on. It's a rarity to see rookies dominate like that anymore and that is because they decide to leave school early.

[christian1923]

I think so. 3 -4 years player have more polished games right away like curry and Lillard, Duncan, Roy.

More battle tested. They have experience in big games (Ncaa tourney, conference tourneys, rivalry games)

They'll get more playing time being the first option. Instead of being a role player.

Some guys don't need it though, a lot of guys would have benifited it from it though.