Pac-12 first Conference to call for end to One-and-Done rule

The Pac-12 Task force just submitted their recommendation to the NCAA Commission to end the one-and-done rule.

One and done! Since 2005, when former NBA Commissioner David Stern implemented the one-and-done rule, college basketball fans have only had the chance to watch highly talented athletes for at least one season. With all the recent allegations and bad press the Pac-12 and NCAA has had, the Pac-12 Task Force submitted their proposal to the NCAA Commission to end this rule.

Prior to 2005, there was talent at the high school level that made the leap right to the NBA. The first actual athlete to do this was Moses Malone back in 1974, followed by Darryl Dawkins and Bill Willoubhy. Almost 20 years later, other top talents followed suit. Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O’Neal and Lebron James just to name a few. Just about all of these players have gone on to have Hall of Fame careers in the NBA.

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In 2005, the rule was implemented as part of the collective bargaining agreement, to prevent high school athletes to go straight to the NBA without playing at least one year of college basketball. This rule also allowed these players to be student-athletes, preparing them to be successful at the next level in basketball and in life.

Unfortunately this rule has backfired. Many of these top five and four star high school recruits are being influenced by outside sources to get them to play for a certain school and not for the right reasons.  Instead of deciding to go to a college for an education and to play basketball, they are going because of the financial benefits involved.

Time for a change. The Pac-12 Task Force, made up of experts, hall of famers and former student athletes, submitted a proposal to the NCAA Commission to end this rule. They proposed that athletes stay three years before being allowed to enter the NBA Draft.

Also, included in this recommendation, is that the athletes that are drafted in the NBA, can decline to sign and retain NCAA eligibility with the assistance of a certified agent. That’s what I’m talking about!  Giving these young individuals the opportunity to think about their future and possibility furthering their college experience is a win-win for everyone!

The landscape of college basketball has changed on many levels. How college basketball coaches recruit is significantly impacted because of this current rule. Getting to see these top athletes play for more then just one year will not only benefit the individual, but also the school.

As much negative attention as their has been on the Pac-12 conference this season, it’s great to see them stepping up and making their voices heard. Their is still a lot of work to be done, but this is a step in the right direction.

See the full video of Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott discuss all the recommendations by the Pac-12 Task Force:

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We can all hope that the NCAA Commission does the right thing and consider the end of the one and done rule. The positives out weight the negatives on this one. Too bad they couldn’t have implemented this rule prior to the start of this college basketball season. To see Deandre Ayton play one more year for Arizona would have been priceless.  Bear Down!