Top ranked hoops prospect Emmanuel Mudiay has decided to not play for Coach Larry Brown at Southern Methodist University and instead play professionally overseas to support his family financially. Mudiay had also received a scholarship offer from John Calipari in Kentucky, but the financial opportunities to play overseas for one year before he’s eligible to play in the NBA was too good to pass up for him and his mother, who supported him and his two older brothers for the majority of his life. As quoted by Sports Illustrated, Mudiay states “I was excited about going to SMU and playing college basketball for coach Brown and his staff and preparing for the NBA …But I was tired of seeing my mom struggle. And after sitting down with Coach Brown and my family, we decided that the best way for me to provide for my mom was to forgo college and pursue professional basketball opportunities.”
This is the best high school basketball prospect to skip D-1 collegiate play since Brandon Jennings played overseas for one year back in 2008. Is it possible that this can develop into a trend for elite high school prospects coming out of that are struggling financially? Is the NBA’s 19 year old age limit the issue here? Or is it the Universities fault for not giving enough financial support to their collegiate athletes? Comment with your thoughts below.
– JRC
Product Of Society 