Make Every Semester Count

 

Starting with the 2016 class, the NCAA instituted dramatic changes in the D1 initial eligibility academic requirements. These rules have been in effect and all coaches, players and parents should make it a priority to read and study these rules. For the longest time, the NCAA has used the term “student athlete” pretty loosely, with very little emphasis or focus on the “student” part. In the past, players were able to attend “diploma mill” schools to exploit grey areas to stretch and bend the rules to appear to meet the minimum stardards and get into college. While there will always be people trying to find cracks in the system and take advantage of loopholes, the NCAA has tightended up the requirements and eliminated some of the wiggle room used to correct academic shortcomings in the past.

Unfortunately, we had a system in place that permitted disreputable adults to window-dress classroom performance and a lack of academic competence or success in a way that allowed players the opportunity to circumvent the system. The same people who say they really cared were the ones doing the most damage to the players in the long run. This included teachers, coaches, and to be honest, some parents. We often heard the argument that “we’re giving these young players an opportunity to get a free education.” On the surface, that sounded noble and altruistic, but was that the case' Were we really promoting that college education or just a chance/opportunity to continue playing basketball. The system allowed players to “get by” for the sake of playing college hoops. This mentality was wrong. If a young player was struggling to meet the minimum academic requirements to graduate from high school, they are likely to be unprepared for a college education , the very thing some say they were trying to provide.

We have often stated, “no matter how good you are, the ball will stop bouncing one day. Make sure you get an education that lasts a lifetime.” Now, higher minimum GPA and higher test scores are required. New credit requirements have been put in place and many loopholes have been reduced or eliminated. It is important that all basketball prospects fully understand these rules. It is now 2019 and unfortuntely many still are not properly informed. The following is a summary of academic requirements that have been in place.

The minimum CORE COURSE GPA has increased from 2.0 to 2.3. The NCAA does not take into account +/- grades. They only count the letter grade. 10 of the 16 required core courses must be completed before the start of your senior year. This means you cannot wait until your senior year to get any of the required 10 of the 16 core courses completed. 7 of the 10 required courses must be in English, Math and Science. Grades earned in the 10 core courses are locked in for the purposes of calculating the final core course GPA. Any retakes of the first 10 courses must be completed before your senior year. This means you cannot wait until your senior year to get with the program.

The NCAA also introduced the SAT/ACT sliding scale. The current sliding scale states a prospect must have a 2.5 core course GPA plus a 1000 SAT or 85 ACT score. These changes have been in place since 2016, but many young prospects are still finding out way too late. A young prospect can no longer put academics on “cruise control” and wait until his senior year to get their act together. While people can and will make arguments on both sides of the issue, we believe in the term of student athlete. That being said, let’s take it a step further. The percentage of high school basketball student athletes going on to play professionally is miniscule. Outside of a tiny number of players who are “can’t miss” prospects coming out of high school, all prospects should take advantage of their opportunity and get a meaningful education. While many college students who are not athletes often leave college with what some would term “meaningless” degrees, not to mention student loans that are difficult to pay off.

if you are in the enviable position to get four or five years of college and get your degree paid for, you should take full advantage of that opportunity. Use the four years of your college to enhance the next 40 years of your life. Basketball is a wonderful gift that allowed so many talented young prospects an opportunity for a free education. Don’t get blindsided by unrealistic expectations of NBA riches. The simple facts remain; only a tiny fraction of high school players ever get that opportunity. Now, more than ever is the time to educate prospects that their education is a lifetime skill that will provide lifelong benefits. In the end, we want everyone to improve their game, but also improve their education. You see, education lasts a lifetime and it’s important to make every semester count.

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