Bubas - Perspectives on NBA Early Entries
Former Duke head basketball coach Vic Bubas has observed the college basketball scene from many perspectives.
He has been a player, an assistant coach, a head coach, a college administrator, a conference commissioner, & a fan. Therefore,
BDP thought it would be interesting to hear what Coach Bubas' thoughts are concerning the many college & high school players
who are entering the NBA draft at a very young age, as well as the many issues surrounding it.
On high school players & underclassmen entering the NBA draft:
"We all have to realize, whether we like it or not, that the courts have been pretty consistent that
youngsters & their families have the right to make the decision to go into the NBA. The rule of law has been pretty clear
on that. From one standpoint, I have a very selfish attitude in that I don't want anything to happen to college basketball
that will impact it in a negative way. On the other hand, these are the times in which we live & each kid, each family,
& each coach is going to have to discuss it & do what they believe to be the right thing for them to do, depending
on the individual situation. I really think that the NBA would prefer a system where a kid could not enter their league until
2 or 3 years after they graduate from high school. But that isn't the current situation & the bad thing about it is that
several young men are going to be disappointed who think they are good enough to make the pros but they won't be good enough.
On the other hand, how are you going to tell the Carmello's & Lebron's that they can't enter the league early, especially
when it involves millions of dollars. I think that each kid & their family have to make an individual choice depending
on their situation & hopefully, they will all make the right choice."
On what, if anything, the NCAA could do regarding the current environment:
"I don't think there is any rule that the NCAA should enact that would prohibit these youngsters
from going pro. Any family that took it to court would win. Basically, the issue is in the hands of the NBA. But I don't think
that the NBA is ready to come out with any type edict right now & I am not to sure what legal grounds they would stand
on if they did so."
On the possibility of eliminating the early signing period:
"Several years ago the college coaches lobbied for & won the early signing period. I am not too
sure that the coaches would want to go back on that early signing period. You would also have to see where the athletic directors
& the college presidents stand on the issue. Generally, I think college basketball is still going to be good. The interest
in college basketball is still very high & I don't see where it is going to hurt college basketball all that much. What
the current situation is doing is creating more parity. The best teams are still going to be good, but if these kids weren't
leaving early, the top teams would be even better."
On what, if any, changes he would make regarding recruiting in the current environment:
"I don't think that you could stake out a position now that would serve you for years to come. All
of this is still unfolding right now. I don't see any magic formula right now. The top programs are still going to have
to recruit the elite players. If you don't recruit those type of players then you are not going to be able to compete at the
highest level. What today's coaches have to do is evaluate players on a case-by-case basis."
(5/19/04)
