Exemplification Essay: The Dead-end of Professional Sports

In 1995 Scotty Thurman was on top of the world. Thurman led the Arkansas Razorbacks to a NCAA basketball championship with one great performance after another. After this miracle season, Thurman made a decision that would change his fortunes. Rather than come back for his senior year and get his degree, he elected to make himself eligible for the NBA draft. With a NCAA championship under his belt, Thurman was confident he was ready for the NBA, but NBA scouts had different ideas. Thurman could only sit and watch the draft from start to finish. Today Thurman finds himself without a college education and still chasing his NBA dream in the Continental Basketball Association. With nothing left to turn back on, basketball is all Thurman has left. Thurman is only one example of the tragic events surrounding many young NBA prospects. Dreams of fame and fortune often lead these young adults to pass up on the tremendous opportunities to attend top universities on full scholarship. Athletic scholarships give student athletes the opportunity to receive an education and to compete on the collegiate level. NCAA basketball allows athletes to develop both physically and mentally. The skills developed in a college atmosphere go well beyond the basketball court. Still each year anywhere between four and thirty-five athletes prematurely declare themselves eligible for the NBA draft (NBA.com). The chance of success on the professional level is slim yet many continue to take the risk. By choosing not to complete a higher education the future of these athletes is severely limited. Despite the odds of failure, the influx of early entry candidates continues to rise. Marcus Fizer, a standout junior at Iowa State University, mad... ...ke the right decisions in life. The money offered by the NBA will always be a possibility, but the pride gained by earning a degree is something that will last a lifetime. Â   Works Cited Kindred, Dave. Jump Through Hoops? College Sham Continues. The Sporting News April 2000. Decoury, Mike. A New College Trend: Returning for Senior Year. The Sporting News March 2000. Forde, Pat. Love Him or Hate Him, Bearups a Player. Home Page. 19 Apr. 2000. ESPN. NBA.com. Early Entry Candidate History. Home Page. Mark David. Florida Cracks Down On Corrupt Agents. Associated Press 17 Apr. 2000. Donovan, John. An Age Old Question CNN/SI. 3 July 1999.