What would you do?

[Jaydumo20]

Say you're a freshman who gets recruited to a big time program and you dont really play your 1st year. You get offers from others schools before your 2nd year, with promises of significant PT and more money (commensurate with an unproven sophomore)
You know at your current school you'll be fighting for minutes but you have a chance to learn under a top coach. Hoping that you'll get some meaningful minutes and get in the tourney to set you up for a junior year either somewhere else or with your current program.

What would you do?

School, environment, experience, are all variables you can include in your assessment

 

[husky429]

A player who doesn't have much chance of playing in the league should probably prioritize money unless they have family wealth.

And at the end of the day, sometimes kids just want to play. Yeah, it's great playing for a top coach; you'll learn a ton and get better. But ballers want to ball. It takes a unique player to enjoy practice so much they're happy to sit the bench potentially.

 

[TonyClifton]

I'm taking the playing time and the $$$.......which is what every 18-19yr old kid in the portal is looking for. It takes a special kind of kid nowadays to want to actually be "coached".

 

[RayRay34]

Say you're a freshman who gets recruited to a big time program and you dont really play your 1st year. You get offers from others schools before your 2nd year, with promises of significant PT and more money (commensurate with an unproven sophomore)
You know at your current school you'll be fighting for minutes but you have a chance to learn under a top coach. Hoping that you'll get some meaningful minutes and get in the tourney to set you up for a junior year either somewhere else or with your current program.

What would you do?

School, environment, experience, are all variables you can include in your assessment

19 year-old me takes the PT and money at a different school.

Today’s me (far from 19) takes the top tier coaching.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I will almost never fault a kid for taking the money, especially if the NBA isn’t in their future. Athletes have a short and uncertain career and this can be meaningful money, especially if they’re not coming from a privileged background.

A lot of fans really start clutching pearls when it comes to college kids chasing money at the college level. As Marc Maron said, it’s easy to maintain your integrity when no one is offering to buy it.

 

[NJHusky]

A player who doesn't have much chance of playing in the league should probably prioritize money unless they have family wealth.

I really think this is the answer....if playing for a top coach gets you into the league or a much higher draft pick that you wouldn't otherwise get it makes sense....but if you aren't getting NBA money, maximize your earnings.

Does the quality of degree matter to someone that won't be playing in NBA?

 

[Scottzer]

In that situation, I’m taking a good look at Iowa. They need talent, and there should be a good opportunity to earn minutes under a great coach. At the end of that season, you can reevaluate, but I would rather take less under a coach like him than to just chase dollars.

 

[storrsroars]

I'm consulting with the people I trust the most to have my best interests at heart, not theirs.

Not a snowball's chance in hell I make this decision by my lonesome.

 

[Fishy]

Say you're a freshman who gets recruited to a big time program and you dont really play your 1st year. You get offers from others schools before your 2nd year, with promises of significant PT and more money (commensurate with an unproven sophomore)
You know at your current school you'll be fighting for minutes but you have a chance to learn under a top coach. Hoping that you'll get some meaningful minutes and get in the tourney to set you up for a junior year either somewhere else or with your current program.

What would you do?

School, environment, experience, are all variables you can include in your assessment

I use the connections I have made to start a gambling ring.

I make a discreet, but sizable nest egg through cautious wagers related to point fixing. We don't get greedy.

Once I have enough money, I buy a armada of small speed boats and I run weed from Mexico to the Texas coast where a small fleet of Winnebagos transport it north through a network of public campgrounds.

Once I am established as a major player in the western hemisphere's drug scene, I have my freshman coach whacked because I deserved more playing time.

 

[LStudfellow]

I use the connections I have made to start a gambling ring.

I make a discreet, but sizable nest egg through cautious wagers related to point fixing. We don't get greedy.

Once I have enough money, I buy a armada of small speed boats and I run weed from Mexico to the Texas coast where a small fleet of Winnebagos transport it north through a network of public campgrounds.

Once I am established as a major player in the western hemisphere's drug scene, I have my freshman coach whacked because I deserved more playing time.

One of the better tangential rifts I have read on this here board. And as most of you know, THAT is saying something.

Great one Fishy!

 

[RuffRuff]

I use the connections I have made to start a gambling ring.

I make a discreet, but sizable nest egg through cautious wagers related to point fixing. We don't get greedy.

Once I have enough money, I buy a armada of small speed boats and I run weed from Mexico to the Texas coast where a small fleet of Winnebagos transport it north through a network of public campgrounds.

Once I am established as a major player in the western hemisphere's drug scene, I have my freshman coach whacked because I deserved more playing time.

And once that's up to speed, stand up a brothel under the same entity.

I've said it for awhile - college today should be seen in 2 year chunks. If you haven't shown enough to get minutes your sophomore year, you go to a different great coach. You can't wait three years to get minutes these days when you have options.

It is a tough call in some respects as take a Nowell and Abraham as examples - didn't work out all that well. So you have to be realistic about your talent level as well.

The downside is you could end up like a Stew - you don't think he'd feel better about his career going somewhere where he was given green light as a starter?

 

[Flipside]

Say you're a freshman who gets recruited to a big time program and you dont really play your 1st year. You get offers from others schools before your 2nd year, with promises of significant PT and more money (commensurate with an unproven sophomore)
You know at your current school you'll be fighting for minutes but you have a chance to learn under a top coach. Hoping that you'll get some meaningful minutes and get in the tourney to set you up for a junior year either somewhere else or with your current program.

What would you do?

School, environment, experience, are all variables you can include in your assessment

Remixed to see if posters' own actions, align with their position for young athletes

----------------------------------------------------------

Say you're early in your career at Company A. You joined with a lot of promise, but in your first year you haven’t gotten much responsibility or visibility.

Now, before your second year, Company B comes along with an offer. They’re promising a bigger role, more ownership, and a salary bump that fits someone still relatively unproven but with potential.

At Company A, you know it won’t be easy. You’ll have to compete for opportunities and earn your way into more meaningful work. But you’d be learning under strong leadership, in a respected environment, and there’s a path, even if it’s not guaranteed, to break through and build a solid foundation. If things click, you could position yourself well for a bigger role there later, or leverage that experience elsewhere.

So what do you do?

Stay and bet on development, mentorship, and long-term upside?
Or leave now for immediate opportunity, compensation, and a clearer path to impact?

Company culture, leadership, growth trajectory, and your appetite for risk all factor into the decision.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Remixed to see if posters' own actions, align with their position for young athletes

----------------------------------------------------------

Say you're early in your career at Company A. You joined with a lot of promise, but in your first year you haven’t gotten much responsibility or visibility.

Now, before your second year, Company B comes along with an offer. They’re promising a bigger role, more ownership, and a salary bump that fits someone still relatively unproven but with potential.

At Company A, you know it won’t be easy. You’ll have to compete for opportunities and earn your way into more meaningful work. But you’d be learning under strong leadership, in a respected environment, and there’s a path, even if it’s not guaranteed, to break through and build a solid foundation. If things click, you could position yourself well for a bigger role there later, or leverage that experience elsewhere.

So what do you do?

Stay and bet on development, mentorship, and long-term upside?
Or leave now for immediate opportunity, compensation, and a clearer path to impact?

Company culture, leadership, growth trajectory, and your appetite for risk all factor into the decision.

Well done. I agree with this. Its not always gonna be chasing the bucks. I used to work as a recruiter for finance industry and I remember that the majority- i repeat- majority of my clients looked at other factors than a bump in salary. I had many clients who interned at a big 4 accounting firm, for basically no money, right out of ivy league. And yes, some of their earnings were on par with many of the college athletes we are discussing today.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I use the connections I have made to start a gambling ring.

I make a discreet, but sizable nest egg through cautious wagers related to point fixing. We don't get greedy.

Once I have enough money, I buy a armada of small speed boats and I run weed from Mexico to the Texas coast where a small fleet of Winnebagos transport it north through a network of public campgrounds.

Once I am established as a major player in the western hemisphere's drug scene, I have my freshman coach whacked because I deserved more playing time.

Who are you, Bob Lazar?

 

[HuskyHawk]

A player who doesn't have much chance of playing in the league should probably prioritize money unless they have family wealth.

And at the end of the day, sometimes kids just want to play. Yeah, it's great playing for a top coach; you'll learn a ton and get better. But ballers want to ball. It takes a unique player to enjoy practice so much they're happy to sit the bench potentially.

I know the college part of college is forgotten, but if I'm a four year player with no NBA shot, I'm prioritizing the degree over playing time or NIL money. I'd also want to like the school I'm at, I'd want to enjoy those four years like any college kid does. That doesn't mean I'd go to Rice, but it means I wouldn't go to Memphis or Louisville no matter what the money is.

Ideally, might end up at a place like Vandy. Decent NIL, great education, good looking girls, not too cold and Nashville is full of fun.

 

[WillB4]

I use the connections I have made to start a gambling ring.

I make a discreet, but sizable nest egg through cautious wagers related to point fixing. We don't get greedy.

Once I have enough money, I buy a armada of small speed boats and I run weed from Mexico to the Texas coast where a small fleet of Winnebagos transport it north through a network of public campgrounds.

Once I am established as a major player in the western hemisphere's drug scene, I have my freshman coach whacked because I deserved more playing time.

Need seed money?

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Ideally, might end up at a place like Vandy. Decent NIL, great education, good looking girls, not too cold and Nashville is full of fun.

Being a Vandy Med Alum I know EXACTLY what you mean about Nashville. And the girls. 😎

 

[boog204]

Playing time and $$. If I was outside of the top
35-40 recruits, I’d go to a mid-tier major school where I can play. Make a little coin, hopefully dominate, then cash in when you’re the “it” guy in the portal. Vaacks was quoted as saying he chose
PC bc he knew he’d get a ton of playing time. Does he play as much if he went straight to Illinois and has competition for PT?

 

[Flipside]

Playing time and $$. If I was outside of the top
35-40 recruits, I’d go to a mid-tier major school where I can play. Make a little coin, hopefully dominate, then cash in when you’re the “it” guy in the portal ...

or

... that same player stays and sits on the bench at Championship University - plays about 10 mins (all year), then goes on to be a motivational speaker for $100K/appearance (yackin' about team work and "Let me tell you about the time that ...", etc.), the top sales rep at Brand X (just by association with Championship University), or anything else that might come through the 'longer game'

 

[Flipside]

Well done. I agree with this. Its not always gonna be chasing the bucks. I used to work as a recruiter for finance industry and I remember that the majority- i repeat- majority of my clients looked at other factors than a bump in salary. I had many clients who interned at a big 4 accounting firm, for basically no money, right out of ivy league. And yes, some of their earnings were on par with many of the college athletes we are discussing today.

Wait, college students (not the athletes, who generate millions/billions for others) have always gotten paid bigtime for their Name, Image & Likeness, as 'amateur' students? (sarcasm alert, ha)

As a current Contract MD / Partner (self-employed) for a Big4, I resemble this comment ... imho, it all comes down to personal choice; NPV is real, as is personal alignment with global brands that could drive higher ROI in the longer term (not that those are mutually exclusive)

 

[Jaydumo20]

Wait, college students (not athletes who generate millions/billions for others) have always gotten paid bigtime for their Name, Image & Likeness, as 'amateur' students? (sarcasm alert, ha)

As a current Contract MD / Partner (self-employed) for a Big4, I resemble this comment ... imho, it all comes down to personal choice; NPV is real, as is personal alignment with global brands that could drive higher ROI in the longer term (not that those are mutually exclusive)

True, and thank you. I love the real world input. Youre right. This argument will never be settled. It's unsettlable. I mean, people still take the lump sum with lotto winnings.

 

[storrsroars]

Remixed to see if posters' own actions, align with their position for young athletes

----------------------------------------------------------

Say you're early in your career at Company A. You joined with a lot of promise, but in your first year you haven’t gotten much responsibility or visibility.

Now, before your second year, Company B comes along with an offer. They’re promising a bigger role, more ownership, and a salary bump that fits someone still relatively unproven but with potential.

At Company A, you know it won’t be easy. You’ll have to compete for opportunities and earn your way into more meaningful work. But you’d be learning under strong leadership, in a respected environment, and there’s a path, even if it’s not guaranteed, to break through and build a solid foundation. If things click, you could position yourself well for a bigger role there later, or leverage that experience elsewhere.I

So what do you do?

Stay and bet on development, mentorship, and long-term upside?
Or leave now for immediate opportunity, compensation, and a clearer path to impact?

Company culture, leadership, growth trajectory, and your appetite for risk all factor into the decision.

I don't buy the comparison to a college hoops player.

Your example might be true in some industries, but it certainly wasn't in mine. I was recruited 4x over six years, and I took every one of those offers. More pay, expanded network, bigger title, eventually being recruited to a place that was essentially out of my industry and into tech. I doubled my salary over that time and at the last stop actually got a ton of options that should've netted more than a half mill. Now, that didn't work out because 9/11 basically crippled the company, but I would take every one of those offers again if I had the chance to repeat it.

 

[BigTenFan]

I know the college part of college is forgotten, but if I'm a four year player with no NBA shot, I'm prioritizing the degree over playing time or NIL money. I'd also want to like the school I'm at, I'd want to enjoy those four years like any college kid does. That doesn't mean I'd go to Rice, but it means I wouldn't go to Memphis or Louisville no matter what the money is.

Ideally, might end up at a place like Vandy. Decent NIL, great education, good looking girls, not too cold and Nashville is full of fun.

Good analysis- so few kids will ever make a living playing hoops. Make a few bucks in college, get a free degree at a top school and take advantage of all the connections you make

 

[Martin84]

NGL. Follow the money unless my parents were wealthy

 

[Flipside]

I don't buy the comparison to a college hoops player.

Your example might be true in some industries, but it certainly wasn't in mine. I was recruited 4x over six years, and I took every one of those offers. More pay, expanded network, bigger title, eventually being recruited to a place that was essentially out of my industry and into tech. I doubled my salary over that time and at the last stop actually got a ton of options that should've netted more than a half mill. Now, that didn't work out because 9/11 basically crippled the company, but I would take every one of those offers again if I had the chance to repeat it.

It was an analogy, intended to be neutral, for introspection ... apologies if it didn't come across that way

For the record, I'm 100% for NIL and transfer portal, as much and as often as the athlete commands from the market; I am not about restricting others (that have opportunities I could only dream of at 19yrs old, ha)

 

[Flipside]

True, and thank you. I love the real world input. Youre right. This argument will never be settled. It's unsettlable. I mean, people still take the lump sum with lotto winnings.

for the record, I would take the lump sum, ha

 

[Flipside]

NGL. Follow the money unless my parents were wealthy

imho, coming from a wealthy family doesn’t remove pressure, it just changes the source of it. There are often expectations to perform, protect a reputation, and live up to a certain standard.

One could even argue it creates more pressure to not chase the money, and instead make the “right” long-term decision, for the individual. Either way, it’s not a simple equation.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I don't buy the comparison to a college hoops player.

Your example might be true in some industries, but it certainly wasn't in mine. I was recruited 4x over six years, and I took every one of those offers. More pay, expanded network, bigger title, eventually being recruited to a place that was essentially out of my industry and into tech. I doubled my salary over that time and at the last stop actually got a ton of options that should've netted more than a half mill. Now, that didn't work out because 9/11 basically crippled the company, but I would take every one of those offers again if I had the chance to repeat it.

Meanwhile I've stayed in the same company for 27 years now (sort of, smaller company bought by bigger company, merged into an even bigger company). I made some big changes earlier on. I passed up lot of offers and recruiter opportunities. Didn't want to have a longer commute, or have to learn a whole new company's processes, or to have to move. I pushed the easy button but it worked out just fine because of the smart gambles I made earlier on, like moving from KC to Silicon Valley in 1996.

One key point about all of this is to be honest with yourself. I wouldn't go to UConn to play for Dan Hurley. I don't want to work that hard. I watched my dad retire at 54, but he was burned out. I knew I didn't want to get to the top. I never aspired to be a General Counsel. Didn't want the responsibility or stress. So I didn't take the paths leading to that, even though I could have. Know yourself.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Unless I am Top 50 recruit, I go to Pac 12 (fka MWC), WCC, AAC or A10 as a freshman, or lower. Maybe bottom of the barrel P5 conference. URI is fun, cool location, low stress. UCSD or UCSB are great schools, great locations. Get minutes, get points, get stats. If you like it, stay a second year, make $150 to $200k/year, maybe get lucky and your team wins a game in March one year. You need to be in the game to show what you can do, and that is hard in the modern game where you are competing against 22 year old men that have been working as professionals for 4 years.

If you are putting up decent numbers (10 ppg/5 rpg is good enough for a forward, 10 ppg with 33%+ 3 point shooting percentage as a guard), you leapfrog everyone that sat on the bench as a frosh or sophomore, and most of those guys are dropping to your level or below mid-major to try to resuscitate their college careers. If you are putting up really good numbers, 14 ppg with 45/35/75 as a sophomore, you will get over $1MM/year when you step up as a junior, maybe more.

Go for playing time as a frosh.

 

[storrsroars]

Meanwhile I've stayed in the same company for 27 years now (sort of, smaller company bought by bigger company, merged into an even bigger company). I made some big changes earlier on. I passed up lot of offers and recruiter opportunities. Didn't want to have a longer commute, or have to learn a whole new company's processes, or to have to move. I pushed the easy button but it worked out just fine because of the smart gambles I made earlier on, like moving from KC to Silicon Valley in 1996.

One key point about all of this is to be honest with yourself. I wouldn't go to UConn to play for Dan Hurley. I don't want to work that hard. I watched my dad retire at 54, but he was burned out. I knew I didn't want to get to the top. I never aspired to be a General Counsel. Didn't want the responsibility or stress. So I didn't take the paths leading to that, even though I could have. Know yourself.

Like you, I never wanted to lead a company. But I did want to be near the top of those doing my function. And I hadn't learned anything new until I left the multinational conglomerate (we were swallowed up twice while I was there) where innovation was stifled and politics was rife.

I probably would resent the hard practices not resulting in playing time. But if I was learning stuff that would help me down the line, I might've suffered through it for a year. There aren't many things in a career as annoying as not being challenged.

Anyway, ending up at the tech startup, I had the most fulfilling two years of my career. Plus I got to play a ton of golf on great courses on the company dime and actually used a business trip to get married in Hawai'i, while also acquiring contacts that got us Kama'aina rates everywhere we stayed. That was my version of NIL, lol.