Submitted by James West (not verified) on April 15, 2008 - 10:04am.
I think that raising the age limit to 20 is a good thing for both college basketball and the NBA. At least it will give the player an opportunity to mature physically and (more importantly) mentally. I strongly believe that AAU and prep schools have hurt both because they create teams of "superstars". Individual player development is stymied because of the wealth of talent and the ability to "hide" weaknesses or weak links. When these players get to college, more often than not their weaknesses are exposed and (for whatever reason) are never corrected. Some college coaches are to blame due to their inability to develop individuals into fundamentally sound players (does anyone teach sound free throw shooting, post moves, and the mid-range jumper anymore?!?). Consequently, the current product in the NBA is nothing more than a collegiate senior class level of talent.
Raising Age Limit
I think that raising the age limit to 20 is a good thing for both college basketball and the NBA. At least it will give the player an opportunity to mature physically and (more importantly) mentally. I strongly believe that AAU and prep schools have hurt both because they create teams of "superstars". Individual player development is stymied because of the wealth of talent and the ability to "hide" weaknesses or weak links. When these players get to college, more often than not their weaknesses are exposed and (for whatever reason) are never corrected. Some college coaches are to blame due to their inability to develop individuals into fundamentally sound players (does anyone teach sound free throw shooting, post moves, and the mid-range jumper anymore?!?). Consequently, the current product in the NBA is nothing more than a collegiate senior class level of talent.