While the National Basketball Association’s lockout is in full swing, it is refreshing to see some of the league’s younger stars taking their education and future seriously.
John Wall, who played one stellar season for the University of Kentucky and earned the No. 1 draft pick in the 2010 NBA draft, announced last week that he was returning to the university to take a few more classes during the lockout. NBA players cannot train with their professional teams during a lockout, so Wall decided he could train at UK and continue to work on earning his degree in business management.
That is one of the smartest decisions young basketball players can make. Wall ”“ who plays for the Washington Wizards ”“ may not need to return to school as he will earn $5.1 to $6.6 million per year during the next three years. For the NBA star, however, returning to school is about more than earning potential.
“I wanted to be the first person in my family to get a college degree,” Wall told The Washington Post.
The athlete admitted that he probably won’t be the first person in his family to earn his or her degree as his sister, Cierra, is entering her second year of college.
During his one season at Kentucky, Wall completed two semesters of work, and completed two summers of classes. He also was a member of the Southeastern Conference freshman academic honor roll. He’s a smart man, and his decision to continue work on his degree demonstrates that.
Wall is not the only young and former Kentucky player returning to school during the lockout. His former teammate DeMarcus Cousins, who now plays for the Sacramento Kings and was a lottery pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, said he would like to earn his degree and is considering taking more classes.
Former Kentucky star and now Boston Celtics star Rajon Rondo, who played two years for the Wildcats in the mid 2000s ”“ and who will earn $46 million during the next four years ”“ said he will continue working on his degree. Former Wildcat Jodie Meeks, who spent three years at Kentucky and was drafted in the 2009 NBA Draft, said he is also returning to school to finish work toward his degree.
These players, with the exception of Meeks, who is a lower-level NBA player, do not need to go to school and receive an education in order to succeed financially in life. They are already millionaires, who will ”“ barring injury ”“ earn more than $100 million during their NBA careers.
Their commitment to their education and desire to learn is a testament to their solid characters.
Many professional athletes, especially young, black basketball players, are criticized for going to school for a year or two and then taking their chances at the professional level. Fans and critics say these young men need to think about their futures and stay in school before jumping into the professional arena to earn millions of dollars per year.
These former Kentucky players are showing that although many leave college early, it doesn’t mean they cannot return and continue their studies. It is never too late to earn a degree, and one does not have to give up on their dreams of playing professionally in order to do so.
Their decisions to continue their education is also a bright light during some dim times in college athletics where the National Collegiate Athletics Association has placed sanctions on or are investigating several major athletic programs for violating NCAA rules.
We hope more athletes follow in these Wildcats’ footsteps and continue to improve themselves beyond their athletic abilities and demonstrate that all is not lost in collegiate athletics.
Today’s editorial was written by Sports Editor Al Edwards, on behalf of the Journal Tribune editorial board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via e-mail at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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