Sports > April 26, 2007

By Allison Lange | Asst. sports editor

There’s been a long standing debate in college basketball. The decision to go pro in the NBA or stay in college basketball is one that many players face during their college career.

The pros and cons are there for both arguments.

Choosing to leave college early and be drafted in the NBA brings the obvious addition of many, many zeros to the bank account.

However, staying in college has its advantages – many of which college basketball players overlook.

There is something to be said for finishing one’s college education, getting a degree and accomplishing something other than basketball while at college.

Many believe, including me, that college basketball has a special passion that cannot be found in the NBA. There’s incredible fan support not found in the pros, an unbelievable atmosphere and nothing else in the world like the Big Dance.

Additionally, there’s the importance of the team that is emphasized, rather than the individual at the NBA level.

North Carolina’s Brandon Wright, a freshman during the 2006-’07 season announced April 24 that he was declaring for the draft. Along with Wright, Virginia’s Sean Singletary will declare for the NBA draft instead of returning for his senior season.

These are only two of many players who will never be college graduates.

While I understand the desire to provide for one’s family, I believe that the majority of the time, it’s better to stay in college.

I do acknowledge that there are those few college super-stars who are so talented that they are left with almost no choice but to “take the money and run.”

However, look at Tim Duncan, one of the best basketball players to come out of Wake Forest.

There’s no doubt that Duncan had the option to leave the Deacons and go to the NBA early, but he stayed – and set a positive example for others.

Duncan showed that it’s possible to be successful in the NBA after staying in college for four years.

Because Duncan stayed, he went higher in the NBA draft and was able to perfect his game and skills before going pro, along with receiving a wonderful education and his degree.

There’s something to be respected when a college player values his education and the ability to learn in a positive atmosphere. Money shouldn’t make decisions for people.

Granted, Chris Paul left the Deacs after two years to declare for the NBA draft.

It seems now, two years later, that Paul made the correct decision for himself. Paul now has a NBA Rookie of the Year award and a very successful two seasons with the New Orleans Hornets under his belt.

While I understand the pros for leaving early, I believe the cons heavily outweigh them.

Just look at what happened to the Deacs the year after Paul left.

They went from a No. 2 seed in the Big Dance to not making the NCAA Tournament at all – arguably because Chris Paul left early.

Obviously, I’m not a highly-touted college basketball player deciding whether or not to stay in college or go pro.

But I would like to think that I would value my education, learning opportunity and team enough to make the right decision and stay.