Longer career = more money Always a demand for young talent Exposure to big-time coaches and scouts

The Downside: Why Athletes Should Not Go Directly to the Pros

Student athletes need extra time to develop their skills before going pro Lacking fundamentals Focusing on academics  develops a stronger athletic opponent

Second Issue: No Degree  Injury will result in no fall-back job  Most well known players received a degree before entering pros, such as Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson  More effort placed on sports and not on school

Wannabees will give up on studies Only one in a million chance of making it to the NFL

 Players could be receiving great college experiences and having quality playing time in college  Instead players are sitting on the benches in their early years of the NBA

For example… Tyson Chandler: graduate from Dominguez HS skipped over the college level and headed straight for pros. Sat the bench in his first couple years as a pro & also missed half of the season with toe and ankle injuries.

Players physically and mentally unprepared for professional level Players physically and mentally unprepared for professional level HS athlete who would want the physical demands of an NFL player would need the weight room day in and day out with no time for studies or fun HS athlete who would want the physical demands of an NFL player would need the weight room day in and day out with no time for studies or fun

mentally unprepared Stress Fans, media How is an average 18 year old supposed to deal with all this stress and still perform up to his highest potential?

Talk to student athletes about the situation Help them to avoid a regrettable choice

If you’re lying, I will know…