The NCAA recently changed their archaic rules prohibiting athletes from profiting off their name, image, and likeness. This rule change was a huge victory for all college athletes (men, women, stars, even benchwarmers). One positive effect we're already beginning to see is college basketball players deciding to stay in school and further their education while being able to simultaneously make enough money to live day to day life.
A recent trend in college basketball has been top players leaving for the NBA after only one year in college. Everyone knows these guys are rentals when they commit creating a mutated recruiting system for coaches. Even a school like Duke that was a place where top players would usually stay their full four years had become a place where guys like Kyrie Irving, Zion Williamson, Jabari Parker and many others would showcase their talents for one season before declaring for the NBA Draft. While this works out for the top talent like Irving and Zion, its obvious that this isn't in the best interest for a majority of players who go this route such as Harry Giles and Marvin Bagley. While both Giles and Bagley are very talented, their early struggles in the NBA are a testament to young guys needing another year or two to develop in college. Having the opportunity to make a living while also continuing their education would be highly beneficial to most young athletes in the long run.
We have already seen a high number of college basketball players withdraw from this year's NBA Draft including Johnny Juzang who was a fan favorite for UCLA's Cinderella story during the NCAA Tournament. Giving these talented young players an incentive to stay in school will be beneficial to the players as well as the NCAA.
