What, you say? The same John Wall that electrified the Madison Square Garden crowd in a thrilling win for Kentucky last night?
Is John Wall Bad For College Basketball?
↵That’s what SB Nation’s college hoops blog Searching For Billy Edelin writes.
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↵Tonight Wall put up 25 points along with six steals in a fantastic win over UCONN, all part of an electrifying atmosphere at MSG. The problem here is Wall has come in to poop on his peers for one season, all with the intent of peacing to the pros come springtime, forgetting that college basketball even exists.
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↵We’re relying on 17- and 18-year-old players to generate the majority of excitement and hype for this great sport. You know there was another explosive point guard on the floor tonight? His name was Kemba Walker, a sophomore. Nobody seemed to care. After being ignored by his teammates for the first 25 minute of the game, Patrick Patterson showed he’s one of the country’s best big men. But he’s a junior, which is so “out” this season. Why aren’t we looking to market the players we know are in this relationship for the long run?
↵A little curmudgeon-y, but certainly understandable. We’re talking about a college basketball fan that would rather see college basketball players there longer. I get that.
↵But here’s the problem: there is no “long run” in college basketball. Even a four-year senior stays for just four years. College hoops has always been a stepping stone for the game’s best, whether they stay one year or four.
↵So let’s sit back and enjoy the great basketball players play and develop in their formative years. One year of John Wall or Kevin Durant in college basketball is better than zero.
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