Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Solutions to benefit the many players entering NBA Draft

By Josh Stevens

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Malik Monk reacts with head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats after being drafted eleventh overall by the Charlotte Hornets during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Malik Monk reacts with head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats after being drafted eleventh overall by the Charlotte Hornets during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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BREWSTER, MA – AUGUST 11: Members of the Bounre Braves play the card game President during game one of the Cape Cod League Championship Series against the Brewster Whitecaps at Stony Brook Field on August 11, 2017 in Brewster, Massachusetts. The Cape Cod League was founded in 1885 and is the premier summer baseball league for college athletes. Over 1100 of these student athletes have gone on to compete in MLB including Chris Sale, Carlton Fisk, Joe Girardi, Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Varitek. The chance to see future big league stars up close makes Cape Cod League games a popular activity for the families in each of the 10 towns on the Cape to host a team. Each team is a non-profit organization, relying on labor from volunteers and donations from spectators to run each year. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BREWSTER, MA – AUGUST 11: Members of the Bounre Braves play the card game President during game one of the Cape Cod League Championship Series against the Brewster Whitecaps at Stony Brook Field on August 11, 2017 in Brewster, Massachusetts. The Cape Cod League was founded in 1885 and is the premier summer baseball league for college athletes. Over 1100 of these student athletes have gone on to compete in MLB including Chris Sale, Carlton Fisk, Joe Girardi, Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Varitek. The chance to see future big league stars up close makes Cape Cod League games a popular activity for the families in each of the 10 towns on the Cape to host a team. Each team is a non-profit organization, relying on labor from volunteers and donations from spectators to run each year. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Off-season League

The most games usually played by teams in college are 40, the least amount played by NBA teams is 82, that is not even half of the total. I wonder how much players would benefit from having something like AAU, but on a college scale. College baseball players who have the shortest season of all college sports has the Cape Cod League that they play in during the summer. Something along those lines where scouts could go and watch them play against the best competition. If they did this after their freshman year it could improve them more by their junior year so this would help their stock, and hopefully they would focus more on the league than entering their name.

College football plays 12 regular season games 3/4th of what the NFL does so their sample size is much larger, college baseball has a league in the off-season, that leaves just basketball as the shortest season compared the pro sport. I think that needs to change, it would give scouts more of an opportunity to see more players. Scouts usually have an idea of who they are going to draft in the first round, and this would give them a chance to scout some of these players actually playing in live games.

The issues with this are a little different, for one, the argument could be used that the G-league is that already, but you would have to give up your remaining years to play in this. There is also some other minor leagues that people play in during the off-season, but none to the level of some other sports.

Final Thoughts

I love seeing athletes take the next step in their careers, but I hate watching kids that think they are ready to sign with an agent and never make it. It happens far too often right now, and I think it needs to be addressed. The NCAA does now allow those who do not sign with agents return to school, but where does that leave the program they are returning to? Along with that where does it leave recruits? I am either of those I want to know if they are coming back before I chose what school I am going to attend, and as a coach I want to know what kind of team they are going to have.

Next. Early Big Ten power rankings for 2018-19. dark

I think there is a lot more potential things to to do to help the athletes, but as of right now the options given to those in college basketball in very limited to those in college football, and even other sports.

Visit Si.com to view a full list of players taking the next step to see just how bad it has gotten.

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