Hardaway, Bickerstaff weigh in on G League alternative
Penny Hardaway initially raised his eyebrows to express his skepticism.
Would a potential one-and-done college basketball recruit still choose to attend college over the option to earn a six-figure salary in the NBA's G League?
"I think most of the parents will want to go (pro)," Hardaway said. "They will push their kids to go. The kids might want to stay, but the parents are pretty much pushing the kids to go."
Hardaway's comments Wednesday were in reaction to an announcement by the NBA that it will offer contracts worth $125,000 to elite prospects who are at least 18 years old but not yet eligible for the NBA draft.
This change could potentially shift the current college basketball recruiting landscape and force the NCAA to let go of its current grasp on the top talent from high school basketball each year.
The program, which will go into effect in the summer of 2019, is in response to recommendations made by
the Commission on College Basketball formed by the NCAA last year. In the wake of a federal investigation that alleged corruption throughout college basketball recruiting, the commission suggested the NCAA find alternatives to the current one-and-done system.
Players who decide to opt for the NBA G League instead of accepting a scholarship offer would not be held accountable to the NCAA's strict amateurism rules.
Those who agreed to a contract would immediately become free to profit off their likenesses, sign with agents and commit to marketing deals from apparel companies.
"The thing that I hear nowadays from a lot of the kids and their parents from around the country is about their image and building the name," Hardaway said.
"And I think they are going to use that to springboard their kids into the NBA."
The rule change could be an attractive option for a few of the recruits currently on the Tigers' radar, including East High star James Wiseman, who is considered the No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2019.
"It will affect college basketball, for sure," Hardaway said, "because the one-and-dones that don’t go to the NBA will go there for the $125,000. Most kids don’t want to be in school four years, especially the ones with the ability to go to the next level."
“I think if guys have an opportunity to earn money, they should be able to earn money," said Memphis Grizzlies coach J.B. Bickerstaff, "and the G League can develop into something that I think can be really, really good for the NBA. If you allow those guys to get basically NBA coaching for a year, I think it’s a good thing. … It gives people who are studying and scouting to see kids at a higher level. It’s a higher level of competition as well.”
Grizzlies rookie Jaren Jackson Jr., the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, was a one-and-done year player for coach Tom Izzo at Michigan State.
Although Jackson said he still would have chosen to attend college if afforded the chance to earn at least $125,000 in the G League, he could see why some players might do otherwise.
"You’re going to see a lot of kids doing it because they’re in different financial situations," Jackson said.
"They’re in different situations with their families, and if they feel they want to better themselves, that’s no knock on them. That’s a big-time move. But to each his own. I was in no position that I needed to help my parents out. I’m blessed that they’re taking care of themselves. So me, it was just going to college benefiting me.”
Hardaway agreed with Jackson's take, saying he too would have chosen to attend Memphis State over a developmental-league option.
The Tigers coach also added that college was the most fun time of his life.
"I feel like, if it's for me, it will be there anyway," Hardaway said. "I wouldn't rush it."