In the sports world, spring/early summer there is a lot of hype around the pro sports drafts. Being a high draft choice is money in the pocket. College basketball is especially famous for its “one and done” athletes.

The irony of this is that many of these young athletes ARE “done.” If they don’t make the NBA some may find spots outside of the USA. Okay, but home is still home. The European teams also don’t want to “baby sit.”

The problem isn’t talent. College is the transition from being a big kid to a big man. It’s learning what it takes to be responsible for everything in one’s life. It’s doing things that have always been done for them. It’s learning to handle the ups and downs of life. It’s an opportunity for huge steps in growth and development.

Being a big kid in an environment of professionals is difficult in many ways. Sometimes and elder will take a youngster under their wing. Terrific! Many times there is no one willing to do that. There is a big difference between a 30 year old and a teenager who doesn’t know what he thinks he does.

Learning life’s lessons is a process that includes a lot of trial and error. The guru of the business world, Warren Buffet, says it this way; “The only real intelligence is experience.” In other words, learning is a process and those young phenoms don’t quite get that. And, some are further along than others.

I think the NBA is headed toward two years in college. Three would be better. Look, I know the attraction of the money. That’s huge. Even if the player gets a bonus to start he needs to be productive and smart to be fully able to take care of himself and his family. It’s much more difficult to make money than it is to spend it, and there is a long period of time between playing and dying.

TAKE A LOOK AT LULU.COM FOR COACH TODD’S BOOKS THAT WILL SUPPORT YOUR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. THE MINUTE WE STOP LEARNING WE BEGIN DYING.