Who has heard the name Michael Beasley? Well if you haven’t, he is an NBA forward for the Phoenix Suns.
He was drafted by the Miami Heat 2nd overall in the 2008 NBA draft. Beasley is the result of a problem; the problem of college basketball players jumping to the pros too early.
In high school and college Beasley was regarded as one of the top players in the country, a player who could be amazing someday. But after one season at Kansas State, Beasley went pro.
Since then he has yet to reach his full potential. He has suffered maturity issues off the court and has not performed as well on the court as many believed he would. Many freshmen and sophomore players entering the NBA are not ready for the transition.
They are physically and mentally unprepared and their careers suffer as a result of this. Yes, there are exceptions such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant. But there are far more stories of failure than success.
The NBA needs to push back the age at which athletes are drafted and allow them to prepare themselves for a professional career. By spending more time in college, players can enter the pros physcially developed and experienced.