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Let them play and earn. Anyone who has been a student athlete knows that working is the last thing you need piled on your plate. So what that they are teen agers, who's cracking down on tennis or golf? Either stop it across the board or let them play to the talent level they may have accelerated to. We don't stop genius kids from getting microwhatever jobs, what's the difference? A lot of grown men haven't matured after years in the pros after college, nor did their game skills. A lot of that depends on the system players are put into.

Beyond the age, the reality is the money isn't always for the cars and the bling, it's because these talented kids are now being looked upon as breadwinners for their families. Many low income families are looking to their superstar children to help ease the lifetime of financial burdens, who are any of us to stop that?!

Most of you, when asked if you won the lottery, would you take the lump sum or the payments, seem to answer "The lump sum." This is their lottery! Pay them! They've clearly gained the attention of the NBA, who is willing to pay them, and each individual has his right to choose his own path.

Poor academics, performance slumps and injuries are possibly the top 3 reasons some kids don't see the payday. If they are talented enough to jump past it all, then let them. In the meantime, we don't see them as starving students, getting caught with booster money or committing petty crimes for money. Quit attempting to snuff out potential based on the old world order of High School, College, Pro. College isn't for everyone (athlete or not) and in many cases, it's the final hurdle that trips people up. Many pros who went through college are no smarter for it, it was a formality that many would have skipped had the chance been given to them. As we also see, many young pros go back to college and earn a degree, it's all by choice, stop making it for them.

If it came down to you and someone questioning when your earning potential should begin, what would you say? Sure I'll work for minimum wage even though I'm worth millions? Come on people, someone wants to pay it to them, let them earn, your entertainment comes way down the list on this one.

Learn more about this author, Vincent Alfonzo Jamal ..
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