Len Elmore On The State Of College Basketball

It’s been a busy weekend in some respects so we didn't get to see this article by former Maryland big man Len Elmore until Sunday.

It’s a pretty good take on why the college game will endure despite the many challenges it faces.

Here’s an excerpt:

“For most fans, the draw to the games is about the name on the front of the jersey, not the one on the back. College stars come and must go, based on options or eligibility. The game’s fans remained steadfast and the numbers grew from the early 1970s, when I played, through the high-school-to-pros period that produced Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James, to name a few. Back then, we heard the same ‘sky is falling’ chorus.

“Players develop at different rates and under different modalities of practice and instruction. Some are ready after high school, while others require several years of maturation, repetition and confidence building. That is what college basketball can provide as well — if not better than — the other options.”

Certainly true.

It also provides many other things, including education that lasts a lifetime and a relatively gentle transition to adulthood.

If you’re in a position to profit from your talents no one should tell you not to. For the rest though, college is still a pretty good deal.