Growing Game of Basketball - HS, NCAA, WNBA

[GW15MJ4MM23]

UConn's dominance has been extremely bad for WBB. Stewie, MoJeff, and Tuck were the biggest culprits. "The dynasty fulfilled its destiny." Players at all levels of basketball have improved because of UConn's dominance.

Geno's legacy is filled with accomplishments and accolades. Helping to grow the game of basketball is at the top.

Do you think the WNBA will eventually lower the minimum age requirement for player eligibility by 1 year? Seems like the next logical step to help grow the game of basketball. Increase in top tier talent at the HS and NCAA levels might hopefully lead to WNBA expansion some year.

Thoughts?

 

[j66kicker]

Do you think the WNBA will eventually lower the minimum age requirement for player eligibility by 1 year? Seems like the next logical step to help grow the game of basketball. Increase in top tier talent at the HS and NCAA levels might hopefully lead to WNBA expansion some year.

Thoughts?

The WNBA has zero chance of winning a court challenge on their age requirement. If it becomes financially attractive to play there it will happen very quickly. With NIL $$ becoming a reality in college, the wind is not blowing in the "amateurism" direction. Even if the WNBA doesn't become lucrative, I expect it will happen soon. How long before Bill Laimbeer tries to sign a 6'7" HS player? If the WNBA challenges this they will lose.

 

[Argonaut]

I think when NIL becomes a reality, you might actually see fewer players wanting to leave top collegiate programs early unless they're just unhappy with the team dynamic or coaching staff.

From almost everything we've heard from pros who played in top college programs, the facilities are much nicer, the travel is easier (flying charter versus flying commercial), the training, nutrition, and recovery options are better, and the fan support is on a completely different level -- and you get your degree on top of it. So if they can also get paid a pretty decent amount while all of that is happening, I think there is actually less of a draw to jump early to the W.

However, if Ekat comes knocking with a huge contract, all of the above goes out the window. lol.