As I cycled through my, ‘What’s going on in the sports world today?’ routine, I came across an article on ESPN stating that the consensus no.1 overall NBA Draft Pick Ben Simmons, was ineligible for the Wooden Award because he doesn’t meet academic requirements. And what are those requirements?:

• Candidates must be full-time students in an accredited NCAA college or university.
• Consideration should be given to scholastic achievement and aspirations. All candidates must have a cumulative 2.00 grade point average since enrolling in their current university.
• Candidates must exhibit strength of character, both on and off the court.
• Candidates should be those who contribute to the team effort.
• Candidates must excel in both offense and defense.
• Candidates should be considered on their performance over the course of the entire season (pre-conference, conference and tournament play).

…..seriously?! A 2.0 to be qualified? With all of these standards that are held high, a 2.0 is a requirement to be considered? That may be the most minimal requirement needed to be met for a prestigious award. Like seriously. The fact that he could not meet that requirement is more appalling.

I understand that he’s a ‘One And Done’ athlete. His time at the university is borrowed until March Madness is over and he gets to the combine time. Class isn’t a necessity for most of these young men that are set to make millions in the NBA the next coming season. But dammit dude at least go to class. And if he is going to class and not doing well, how the hell did he get into the university? Wasn’t there an entrance exam if his grades from HS weren’t that great? Or a college prep class to take during the summer so he stayed eligible? Do they even care? I mean, he sat out one damn half because of an academic issue, when others would’ve been sat for a game or until they got on point in the classroom. (Who knows what’s really going on, he’s probably a very great and nice kid. This is all just a speculative rant).

What grinds my gears has to be the fact that if these athletes do not care about class (not saying he doesn’t), and just want to play ball that’s fine. But what’s not fine is these athletes taking thousands of dollars in scholarship money, to not utilize an opportunity which some kid should’ve had, who couldn’t get in because of the school being filled or what-have-you, just to pad the money of the university and boosters pockets. 

I literally had to look into this. According to scholarshipstats.com, an average male scholarship for LSU runs about $25,177. 74% of undergrads receive aid at an average of $8,280. The cost to go to LSU is $7,873 for instate and $25,790 out of state. These numbers are appalling. The fact that a huge chunk of money that can go to another, maybe 4 other college students, is being wasted because of sports for one year is ridiculous. There needs to be another alternative.

Let these guys who are ‘One and Doner’s’ go to the D-League. If they have no aspirations to complete or utilize school at all just to make money or national brand, let them play there. It would not only boost the D-League product by having a haven for players to go to that could be the ‘Next Best Thing’, it could also open up a spot in a university for someone who wants to grow in that aspect. 

There can be an argument that the schools can bank off of these players’ star stature even if it’s one year and schooling doesn’t matter as long as they win. Cool. LSU isn’t going anywhere this year and there aren’t any Freshman being considered for the Wooden Award despite how good they are (5 So., 3 Jr., 6 Sr.). I think they’ll be alright.

Cover photo courtesy of washingtonpost.com