March brings midterms, spring break and the madness of NCAA basketball tournaments. March is known for the storylines it brings, from which teams will make the tournament to those underdogs that prove their worth and the rising stars that will make their first and possibly only appearance in the NCAA tournament.

Much like football, basketball has a large amount of athletes that will only play limited years for their college teams as they seek the spotlight of the NBA, leaving their schools behind.

The owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, recently spoke out about how more young athletes seek only the professional level of play. Cuban thinks those athletes should join the NBA’s Developmental League instead of spending a year or two on a college team. Many debates are held about student athletes and how much, if any, they should be paid for their services to their schools and the NCAA’s ability to profit off them. But in the case of basketball, Cuban has a point. Why should someone with the potential to play in the NBA spend only one season in college if their only focus is on basketball?

Yet the school spends copious amounts of money on scholarships and sports programs to bring in these one-and-done athletes simply for their one glorious season before they make their way to the NBA. Does that not defeat the entire purpose of schools bringing in such profound athletes in the first place?

Now, not all student athletes get scholarships to play one season then leave for more illustrious careers. Many work their hardest to do both school and sport. This may detract from the ability to focus more on one rather than the other, but the few that excel in both are the athletes schools should seek. In almost any sport, it is better to have players that will stay around so their skills can grow and benefit both team and player. Thus, having true student athletes that pursue both is a better investment in the long run.

On the flip side are those students that only live for the sport itself. They seek the professional level and feel like they will have nothing else if they can’t make it. Cuban thought that allowing the Developmental League to provide tuition aid for those that join the league would be a way to compensate those who have either change of heart or are unable to continue in the sport. Sounds like a great idea, yet how many would be willing to take it? How many players seek the spotlight of winning an NCAA championship?

Giving more realistic options to both schools and those elite athletes should be explored. Taking those who will only spend their one season in the NCAA out of the picture and into a Developmental League should not diminish from college basketball itself. It should give options to all those that have the ability and talent and reward those with multiple talents in both physical and intellectual ability with the title of student athlete. All should be awarded in their own right, but student athletes should be what their name describes, both a student and an athlete.

sruffley@mavs.coloradomesa.edu