by Matt Dellinger

Created on: March 09, 2007   Last Updated: May 20, 2007

The NBA age limit is a very interesting discussion point for a number of reasons. I'd like to start off by saying I'm all for the age limit, I think it's a very positive thing for young players. At the same time, someone somewhere is going to get a good enough lawyer to let him in the NBA at a younger age then is currently allowed. There has to be some kind of civil rights infraction that can be exploited. Having that out there, I hope no one ever does. The benefits of going to college, even for one year, are substantial and numerous. Never the less, for the sake of appealing to those with short attention spans, I shall concentrate on the main points.

First of all, there will be and have already been a number of players that were going to make the jump from their high school gym to the NBA and were forced to wade the college waters instead. As a result of this many players discovered that they were not ready for the association. These guys are now getting a free education, and invaluable experience at the collegiate level. Some young men who would have thrown away their future after a failed jump to the NBA now have four years to sharpen their skills.

Then there is the issue of those who were ready for the jump and are performing like the stars they undoubtedly will become. These chosen few will also benefit from the year spent playing college ball. Don't you think a NBA team is going to offer a Durant, or an Oden more money now that they've seen how well they perform at a higher level.

The NBA age limit benefits all three parties involved. The NCAA benefits from having big names in their system, even if it is only for a year. The NBA gets a chance to see if prospects are legitimate against better competition. And the players get to build stock in their name while getting a free ride to school. I don't think the age limit will last forever, but i hope and pray that it does.

Learn more about this author, Matt Dellinger.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.