Paige Kicks Up One And Done Debate

[RockyMTblue2]

I suspect the Players Union would oppose reducing draft age to make One and Done a reality any time soon.

 

[ScottCT]

One and done would destroy women's basketball.

 

[veryolddog]

It seems that a lot of parents would encourage their children to stay in college and get a degree before pursuing a career in women's basketball. All it takes is one significant injury, no matter how un-predictable that may be, to end an athletic career. At least, the education might provide an avenue for a rewarding career after basketball.

Help me remember: did not Geno carry some very promising athletes on scholarship even thought their injuries limited their playing and a professional career?

 

[bluedevil]

One and done would destroy women's basketball.

Why?

 

[Ozimoto]

Unless and until the WNBA salary structure increases significantly and there are more teams in the league, the idea of one and done for women's college basketball will not go anywhere. There aren't many players like Paige out there and to be honest, while she is a great player no doubt, I'm not convinced she is ready for the WNBA physically.

 

[UConnCat]

Current WNBA CBA runs through 2027.

 

[cometjo]

The difference with men's basketball is this: when a player does a one and done with the NBA he's financially set for life. Even if something goes wrong he has that security. Not so with the women, who even if they succeed in the W, would need to play overseas to supplement their income. That's both a much harder road and a lot less tempting than the men's situation, so I'm not sure why any women would take up the one and done opportunity if it was available.

 

[ScottCT]

Why?

Because the current talent pool isn't big enough in women's college basketball to continuously lose their best players after every year.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

The difference with men's basketball is this: when a player does a one and done with the NBA he's financially set for life. Even if something goes wrong he has that security. Not so with the women, who even if they succeed in the W, would need to play overseas to supplement their income. That's both a much harder road and a lot less tempting than the men's situation, so I'm not sure why any women would take up the one and done opportunity if it was available.

Even for the best WNBA players...playing overseas is more than a supplement. In fact, their WNBA salary is supplementing their overseas pay. My thing is this...even round one selectees barely get playing time in the WNBA...so some kid one year out of college in will probably not fare any better. A player like Paige would be the exception. The WNBA is just starting to get more fans. The last thing they want is the quality of play to decline because they have a bunch of kids a year removed from hs who think they are the next WNBA highlight reel. We already have enough of those in the transfer portal.

 

[eebmg]

Interesting related issue brought out on the Pheesa / Wilson Podcast.

It seems New CBA says that they will not allow players with international (club) commitments which overlap the season (or even training camp) to be eligible for the WNBA. Pheesa thinks that will result in alot of optouts.

8 minute mark

‎Tea with A & Phee: ParT

EA Time: The Pod Returns on Apple Podcasts

 

[oldude]

This video appears to be much ado about nothing. We have some media folks talking about something that is contractually impossible until at least 2027, Paige entering the W as a one & done. Beyond that, the current 1st year salary in the W for a #1 draft pick is $70,040, which is just less than the average 1st year computer technology graduate of $72,000.

The one relevant point, made by Jay Bilas, is that when NIL legislation is in effect, Paige will have the opportunity to make more money in college than in the W.

 

[oldude]

Because the current talent pool isn't big enough in women's college basketball to continuously lose their best players after every year.

It’s not like WBB attracts millions of fans or makes tons of money. WBB is largely subsidized by colleges and universities. One and done will not change that fact one way or another.

 

[ScottCT]

It’s not like WBB attracts millions of fans or makes tons of money. WBB is largely subsidized by colleges and universities. One and done will not change that fact one way or another.

Yes, but I'm talking about from a quality standpoint.

 

[oldude]

Yes, but I'm talking about from a quality standpoint.

Well OK. The quality of MBB and FB are certainly not served by the most talented players leaving on a one & done basis, but we’ve all gotten used to it. If the W ever agrees to a one & done possibility for WBB, I suspect we’ll get used to it as well.

I would point out that with NIL on the horizon, only 12 WNBA teams and extremely limited compensation for rookies in the W, the potential for one & done in WBB is far more limited.

 

[msf22b]

This video appears to be much ado about nothing. We have some media folks talking about something that is contractually impossible until at least 2027, Paige entering the W as a one & done. Beyond that, the current 1st year salary in the W for a #1 draft pick is $70,040, which is just less than the average 1st year computer technology graduate of $72,000.

I think the conversation is off-track as a result of a fixation with the W.
Whenever (if) Paige signs with the W, she will receive the current $70,040, not exactly a princely sum.

But there is nothing stopping a Russian,Turkish or Chinese team to offer her 1 million plus tomorrow.

That is the real threat, perhaps not for the upcoming season but for 22-3, much more likely

And if she accepts, it could well open the floodgates for other young stars...Azzi?

 

[oldude]

I think the conversation is off-track as a result of a fixation with the W.
Whenever (if) Paige signs with the W, she will receive the current $70,040, not exactly a princely sum.

But there is nothing stopping a Russian,Turkish or Chinese team to offer her 1 million plus tomorrow.

That is the real threat, perhaps not for the upcoming season but for 22-3, much more likely

And if she accepts, it could well open the floodgates for other young stars...Azzi?

Paige is an outlier. While players in the W can earn more overseas, only a handful are earning BIG money. Paige is also an outlier in the fact that her greatest earnings potential may well entail staying in college and signing lucrative NIL deals with companies such as Nike.

 

[CTisballers]

They shouldn’t do that for the fact it’s not enough WNBA teams and players will lose their opportunity to go back to college if not drafted

 

[LarryLegend]

The title of this thread is misleading and should be changed.

 

[LoboDays]

There will be one and done across the board.

It will not destroy Women’s BB

In a small amount of cases, the NIL may keep a few players in college for another year or two.

Unions will be available for student athletes. Not all will vote to have them causing initial havoc for college sports.

A lay-up competition will be added to the dunk and 3 point shooting contests. UCONN may or may not submit a contestant.

 

[cometjo]

I think the conversation is off-track as a result of a fixation with the W.
Whenever (if) Paige signs with the W, she will receive the current $70,040, not exactly a princely sum.

But there is nothing stopping a Russian,Turkish or Chinese team to offer her 1 million plus tomorrow.

That is the real threat, perhaps not for the upcoming season but for 22-3, much more likely

And if she accepts, it could well open the floodgates for other young stars...Azzi?

This is an interesting possibility for a couple of stars maybe, but don't forget that the European teams have a limit on the number of foreigners (ie Americans) who can play. As usual Paige might be an exception, but how many college players are better than the WNBA veterans who are the alternative for a team that can only take one?

 

[msf22b]

Paige is an outlier. While players in the W can earn more overseas, only a handful are earning BIG money. Paige is also an outlier in the fact that her greatest earnings potential may well entail staying in college and signing lucrative NIL deals with companies such as Nike.

Certainly monies collected from endorsements are a major factor.
I'm just not sure that one's amateur status or country of activity plays an important role.
(just ask Miss Naomi about that...she seems to have that base covered).

And I fantasize upon the dilemma our young hero would face if some nekulturny Moscovite waved a million big ones in front of her charming visage...perhaps a three-year deal with perks, guaranteed, of course.

How would a 19 year old respond to that?

As in the Pajama Game: "It's enough for me to buy, a year's supply of...."

Hard to turn down, neh?

 

[GMP 65]

I think the conversation is off-track as a result of a fixation with the W.
Whenever (if) Paige signs with the W, she will receive the current $70,040, not exactly a princely sum.

But there is nothing stopping a Russian,Turkish or Chinese team to offer her 1 million plus tomorrow.

That is the real threat, perhaps not for the upcoming season but for 22-3, much more likely

And if she accepts, it could well open the floodgates for other young stars...Azzi?

It will destroy the game. Let these kids be kids. Enjoy college. Enjoy the friendships they make. They will graduate soon enough, and have lots of time to make money.

 

[hoopsfan22]

It will destroy the game. Let these kids be kids. Enjoy college. Enjoy the friendships they make. They will graduate soon enough, and have lots of time to make money.

Disagree. The players aren't kids. All of them are adults that sometimes have to make tough life decisions. Paige will be 20 in a few months, and athletes have a relatively short window in which to capitalize on their fleeting peak physical condition. Paige could always earn her degree online during down time or go back to school when she's done playing. What she can't do is turn back the hands of time. It's why I think one and done makes a lot of sense for the best players who can make that jump because they are so much better than their peers.

 

[broooce]

Disagree. The players aren't kids. All of them are adults that sometimes have to make tough life decisions. Paige will be 20 in a few months, and athletes have a relatively short window in which to capitalize on their fleeting peak physical condition. Paige could always earn her degree online during down time or go back to school when she's done playing. What she can't do is turn back the hands of time. It's why I think one and done makes a lot of sense for the best players who can make that jump because they are so much better than their peers.

Yet the roster sizes in the WNBA often means that very talented players often don't make the team, and are relegated to playing in international leagues to make any money if they decide to pursue basketball. If you open "one and done" not only the "best" players like Paige will declare, but so will many others who aren't as good but life circumstances or bad advice will forgo their college degree - and will never play in the WNBA. So many men make the same calculated decision to declare for the NBA draft only not to be drafted but relegated to a G-league or international league career. Let's be honest: there isn't a lot of money in the WNBA vs NBA first-rounders so even the allure of quick mega-bucks is currently a mirage.

The long game here is to continue to build the fan base at the HS and college level, build appeal for the WNBA product and one day the revenue stream will be significant enough so it'll be viable for the one-and-done scenario. I have no doubt we'll get there but IMO we're not even close.