The reason we are seeing so many players return.

[Dr. H Lecter]

Just sitting here on the beach when suddenly it hit me. Ive noticed that something is going on inside the minds of players. There have been a shockingly high number of very good players who are pulling their names out of the NBA draft while returning for another year in college. So why you ask?

I think it's clear more student athletes are putting the student back into athletics. Sure there are exceptions such as most who've played at UofL. With that exception I think players are valuing a good education over instant gratification that comes from fortune and fame. Both of those are fickle and fleeting but a good education.....that remains for their lifetime. As the old saying goes, "educate a man and he can fish for his own damn fish."

I think that is what we are seeing. Education means fishing for themselves. The reason they are there in the first place.

 

[STL_Cat]

I can't tell if this is a joke or not.

 

[Cychologist]

Or is it because of now they are able to earn money off their endorsements, etc.

 

[KYWildCatsFan]

If you aren't joking, I won't blame you. Cause if I was on the beach, I'd be drunk too.

The one and only reason is they can make money now,. That's why we'll start to see late 1st round and early 2nd round guys return to try and push to a lottery slot.

 

[Wildcatfan66]

Maybe NIL is a better option for some?

 

[Dr. H Lecter]

Maybe NIL is a better option for some?

NIL simply means Not In a Lake. One cannot fish outside the lake. The University is the Lake. The fish are the education. Its very simple.

 

[DraftCat]

Sorry to inform you but very little young adults these days care about GoOd EduCAtion.

They are returning cause the draft is deep and now they get paid $$$

 

[chroix]

It’s pretty early to be this hammered even if you are at the beach.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

I'd say the OP is at least partly right. Certainly the returning Kansas Jailhawks are dedicated to focusing on their Criminal Justice majors. Several Self recruits aced the first half of that curriculum in recent years. People are waiting for the NCAA to execute the second.

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

Only 60 draft spots, at least 10 of which will go to foreign or G league players.
But I’m sure NIL helps some maybe even a lot.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

I'd say the OP is at least partly right. Certainly the returning Kansas Jailhawks are dedicated to focusing on their Criminal Justice majors. Several Self recruits aced the first half of that curriculum in recent years. People are waiting for the NCAA to execute the second.

I nearly fell out of my chair during the NBA game this week when the announcers were praising Cam Johnson for going back to get his Masters at UNC. They literally said "how does he have time to attend classes?"

 

[revcort]

Or is it because of now they are able to earn money off their endorsements, etc.

If you aren't joking, I won't blame you. Cause if I was on the beach, I'd be drunk too.

The one and only reason is they can make money now,. That's why we'll start to see late 1st round and early 2nd round guys return to try and push to a lottery slot.

Yep, I really do appreciate the OP's "beach thoughts" here and his thinking the best of these players. I would even say that for some that likely factors into the decision. However, I agree with you two, and others, who would say the reason so many are coming back is because of their ability to make money off the use of their likeness in endorsements and the like. I can't say I blame them, And as someone said here, it could actually be a very lucrative gig for some of these guys. For some, they are huge stars in college- and in the NBA they may end up being just a role player. You take a guy at UK, with the way the state worships the players, and they could make a ton of money in 4 years of college.

 

[Gromcat_rivals]

Just sitting here on the beach when suddenly it hit me. Ive noticed that something is going on inside the minds of players. There have been a shockingly high number of very good players who are pulling their names out of the NBA draft while returning for another year in college. So why you ask?

I think it's clear more student athletes are putting the student back into athletics. Sure there are exceptions such as most who've played at UofL. With that exception I think players are valuing a good education over instant gratification that comes from fortune and fame. Both of those are fickle and fleeting but a good education.....that remains for their lifetime. As the old saying goes, "educate a man and he can fish for his own damn fish."

I think that is what we are seeing. Education means fishing for themselves. The reason they are there in the first place.

WHY DID YOU WANNA PLAY COLLEGE HOCKEY!

- ain’t it obvious? For tha girls?

 

[BigBlueFan19]

NIL simply means Not In a Lake. One cannot fish outside the lake. The University is the Lake. The fish are the education. Its very simple.

Joe Biden, is that you?

 

[Dr. H Lecter]

Joe Biden, is that you?

Uh no. I can actually string a sentence together....you know....the thing.

 

[Roxamora]

I think Derek Willis said it so well a couple years back: "The G-Leage Sucks." This is where most spend their time, granted they are better paid now. Still, lots of games, no fans, no TV coverage, crappy travel accommodations, and living in dorm-like conditions with other guys waiting their turn. The college experience, even if for a year has a huge upside. In KY, you enjoy god-like status for the foreseeable future, plus the exposure and fans from college will travel with you to the NBA and eventually buy those jerseys and tickets because you were first a CAT.

 

[Cats192]

If you aren't joking, I won't blame you. Cause if I was on the beach, I'd be drunk too.

The one and only reason is they can make money now,. That's why we'll start to see late 1st round and early 2nd round guys return to try and push to a lottery slot.

This.

Kids don't want to wait on the money. Archie Goodwin, EJ Montgomery, Wenyen Grabriel, etc. They want to be paid now. All the great reasons to come back to UK will never outweigh a paycheck. But now you can return to UK AND get a paycheck. I think this is the thing that breaks the cycles for us.

2nd round/fringe draft picks going pro against all logic? Now they can come back and make that money.
Bench guys tired of waiting their turn and transfer? Now maybe you can go to NC State and see the floor sooner, but them NIL dollars won't be as good. You start making some actual money--and now it's easier to wait your turn and be part of this thing.

 

[BigBlueFan19]

Uh no. I can actually string a sentence together....you know....the thing.

I’m just messing with ya man! Lol

 

[kybassfan]

Pretty simple. They are returning to feed on the corpse of college basketball.

 

[warrior-cat]

Maybe NIL is a better option for some?

Certainly makes since if they were not going high in the draft. Being stars in college with the NIL deal could possibly make them more money short term and help boost their stock therefore making better money later. Hopefully that along with getting an education is actually what they are thinking.

 

[Orange Soda King]

OP is kidding

 

[jackcarlson]

there isn't much in life that can be as much fun as being a star athlete at a big-time college program. Almost everything after that is downhill. Maybe some of them are figuring it out.....

 

[FltDoc]

It’s pretty early to be this hammered even if you are at the beach.

It's NEVER too early to be hammered on the beach....

And clearly he is / was...

But that's okay!

 

[jimmybuffet123]

Hey if a Kid can come back, make college bball have more talent/better and avoid not getting drafted and making $80K in Kazakistan. I’m all for it. Especially if they can get an education and make a little coin in the meantime

 

[UK90]

I think it's clear more student athletes are putting the student back into athletics.

LOL. If you’re serious, then this is one of the most batshit clueless posts in history. I guarantee you that’s NOT the reason.

The real reason is obvious. Ain’t a coincidence that we suddenly started seeing surprise withdrawals from the draft right after they officially changed the NIL rules. Players can now cash in and make a nice pile of money while still in college, so staying suddenly became a more appealing option for reasons having nothing whatsoever to do with education.

 

[natchezrule]

Just sitting here on the beach when suddenly it hit me. Ive noticed that something is going on inside the minds of players. There have been a shockingly high number of very good players who are pulling their names out of the NBA draft while returning for another year in college. So why you ask?

I think it's clear more student athletes are putting the student back into athletics. Sure there are exceptions such as most who've played at UofL. With that exception I think players are valuing a good education over instant gratification that comes from fortune and fame. Both of those are fickle and fleeting but a good education.....that remains for their lifetime. As the old saying goes, "educate a man and he can fish for his own damn fish."

I think that is what we are seeing. Education means fishing for themselves. The reason they are there in the first place.

These guys don’t care about an education

 

[turkeywildturkey]

Just sitting here on the beach when suddenly it hit me. Ive noticed that something is going on inside the minds of players. There have been a shockingly high number of very good players who are pulling their names out of the NBA draft while returning for another year in college. So why you ask?

I think it's clear more student athletes are putting the student back into athletics. Sure there are exceptions such as most who've played at UofL. With that exception I think players are valuing a good education over instant gratification that comes from fortune and fame. Both of those are fickle and fleeting but a good education.....that remains for their lifetime. As the old saying goes, "educate a man and he can fish for his own damn fish."

I think that is what we are seeing. Education means fishing for themselves. The reason they are there in the first place.

It’s pretty simple. They’re not good enough.

 

[Dr. H Lecter]

These guys don’t care about an education

I disagree. Look how many top recruits have gone to Duke over the years. You cannot tell me that one attends Duke but does not have education top of mind in that decision process. And look at how many players come to college via the elite prep academy route. Duh. Education matters to them.

 

[Anon1658882690]

I disagree. Look how many top recruits have gone to Duke over the years. You cannot tell me that one attends Duke but does not have education top of mind in that decision process. And look at how many players come to college via the elite prep academy route. Duh. Education matters to them.

Money > education for majority of high profile players.. If they see it the other way,, they're too Fn dumb then..

 

[Blueaz]

Or is it because of now they are able to earn money off their endorsements, etc.

And still enjoy college and get an education

 

[CincinnatiWildcat]

Yep, I really do appreciate the OP's "beach thoughts" here and his thinking the best of these players. I would even say that for some that likely factors into the decision. However, I agree with you two, and others, who would say the reason so many are coming back is because of their ability to make money off the use of their likeness in endorsements and the like. I can't say I blame them, And as someone said here, it could actually be a very lucrative gig for some of these guys. For some, they are huge stars in college- and in the NBA they may end up being just a role player. You take a guy at UK, with the way the state worships the players, and they could make a ton of money in 4 years of college.

My first thought was we probably would have gotten 4 years of tyler ulis and he would have made some serious $

 

[jrpross_rivals]

OP numerous times in this thread…

 

[chroix]

My first thought was we probably would have gotten 4 years of tyler ulis and he would have made some serious $

More than the two million he got? Doubt it.

 

[Trinity45]

Just sitting here on the beach when suddenly it hit me. Ive noticed that something is going on inside the minds of players. There have been a shockingly high number of very good players who are pulling their names out of the NBA draft while returning for another year in college. So why you ask?

I think it's clear more student athletes are putting the student back into athletics. Sure there are exceptions such as most who've played at UofL. With that exception I think players are valuing a good education over instant gratification that comes from fortune and fame. Both of those are fickle and fleeting but a good education.....that remains for their lifetime. As the old saying goes, "educate a man and he can fish for his own damn fish."

I think that is what we are seeing. Education means fishing for themselves. The reason they are there in the first place.

I think it is because they can still go to college and make money on the side now, this is not about education or instant gratification it is about money.

 

[TheOtherGreatOne]

Or is it because of now they are able to earn money off their endorsements, etc.

In my opinion it is because there are only so many roster spots in the NBA. College players are finally getting smart enough to realize that there is only so many spots and a lot of those agents atr lying to them and are telling them they are something that they are not. It has taken a long time but players have realized this Plus they can come back to school and make some money.

 

[Dr. H Lecter]

Pretty simple. They are returning to feed on the corpse of college basketball.

I dont believe this to be the case. I think it is a bit more plausible that the players have simply tested the waters of a different lake but found no fish in that lake. Or the fish were simply not the kind of fish you'd eat. Possibly a gar or just a lot of asian carp.

The college lake lures them back because it is filled with trout and bass and Crappie and other game fish. For the purpose of this post the fish is a good education and the players are lured back because of the "catch." They know....declare for the G league and you dont have the chance to catch your own damn fish.

 

[kybassfan]

I dont believe this to be the case. I think it is a bit more plausible that the players have simply tested the waters of a different lake but found no fish in that lake. Or the fish were simply not the kind of fish you'd eat. Possibly a gar or just a lot of asian carp.

The college lake lures them back because it is filled with trout and bass and Crappie and other game fish. For the purpose of this post the fish is a good education and the players are lured back because of the "catch." They know....declare for the G league and you dont have the chance to catch your own damn fish.

In other words, they returned hoping to find money. Hence feeding off college basketball’s corpse.

 

[CincinnatiWildcat]

More than the two million he got? Doubt it.

It was 1.3 Mil in what would have been his junior year and 1.5 in his would be senior year. I'm assuming a returning All American fan favorite at a blue blood would have pretty good earning potential, thank for your input though

 

[Dr. H Lecter]

In other words, they returned hoping to find money. Hence feeding off college basketball’s corpse.

Exactly. Tho your metaphor is a bit dark .... the University has now bequeathed them the possibilty of an addituonal year(s) education. As the saying goes..."It is terrible to waste a mind, especially when it can learn to catch its own fish."

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

NIL simply means Not In a Lake. One cannot fish outside the lake. The University is the Lake. The fish are the education. Its very simple.

^ He lit.