For too long, the myth/ruse of the upper-level, basketball-playing “student-athlete” has been the norm. It and the NCAA are a total joke. There’s never been any “student” in the equation. None at all for many decades at DIV I.

These hoops kids (with few exceptions) have proven through their lack of graduation rates, drop-out rates, ineligibilty, etc. that they – and the culture that most come from – simply don’t care at all about a free college education. It’s all about the money through hoops. The future is all but forgotten. And almost none will ever return to schooling of any kind. Most will end up bankrupt. Those are the facts.

However, if Tyler is successful in Europe and in the NBA, maybe we can prevent a few more of these “future would-be pros” from taking the place of legitimate, qualified students in college classrooms.

Has it ever been more apparent that we need a minor league for pro basketball? And income for DIV I college sports be damned! They’ll be fine. They’d be finer if they’d adopt a “need-based” system like the Ivies but that’s another discussion.

With the graduation (or lack thereof) rates of coaches like Lute Olsen, Gary Williams, Bob Hutchins. et al. well documented, isn’t it time to put the Tylers of the world where they belong by choice – on the courts of a good, professional minor league?

And if Tyler gets injured or craps out? He made his bed. Let him and other “short-sighted folk” lie in it.

John Brown