LeBron James, the star guard/forward for Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, declared himself eligible for the NBA draft Friday. Though not a lock, James is expected to be the No. 1 pick.
James, 18, was named the nation’s top high-school player, and led SV-SM to three state championships in four years. He also attended three high school all-star games during his senior year, which made him ineligible to play college basketball during the 2003-2004 season.
Should James be called high in the draft, he will most likely receive a large, multimillion-dollar contract. He is also being courted by companies for endorsement deals, including a “shoe deal expected to be worth at least $20 million,” according to The Associated Press.
James has not only gained media attention from his abilities on the court – he has also gained news time from various scandals. James’ mother, who has a significantly low income, was able to take out an abnormally high loan to buy him a Hummer H2 for his 18th birthday; James also accepted two “throwback” jerseys worth roughly $800 from a local store owner in exchange for an autograph, an action banned by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
Though these mishaps may bring doubt into the minds of supporters for high school phenoms going pro, James has earned the right to enter the NBA draft. Not only has James proven to be a wizard on the court, but he has shown a great deal of maturity for a high-schooler. After Michael Jordan, one of James’ childhood heroes, downplayed James’ abilities and questioned his possible entry into the draft, he did not retaliate but instead chose to accept Jordan’s words as advice to be heeded – an action normally unparalleled by college and even professional athletes.
Also, James has the potential to bring his near poverty-level household into the lap of luxury, as he is almost guaranteed to receive an NBA contract in the double-digit millions of dollars -even before the endorsement deals come rolling in.
The major argument against any high schooler entering the draft pertains to the NCAA – not only does a player forfeit the experience gained playing at a collegiate level, but he also dilutes the talent field of college hoops, worsening that level of play. But could any person (athlete or not) making this argument, if offered the one-time chance to go from rags to riches, turn it down, risking injury during four years of play and possibly shattering the incalculable financial gain they could have had? In a me-first world, it is doubtful.
Some also question the ability of a high-schooler to make it at the professional level, but this doubt should be nullified at the mention of NBA superstars Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady – who both went pro directly from high school.
While it is probably not good for every somewhat-talented high-school hoops star to go professional, in the event that a person so overwhelmingly talented and matured have this opportunity, why hold him back? James’ youth should bring even more fire to a sport recovering from the multiple retirements of its greatest player, and his talent should at least make him a competitor.
