In 2006, the NBA declared that all players must be at least 19 years of age to enter the draft, and anyone who is not an "international player" must be at least one year removed from their high school graduation. With these new draft regulations, the NBA inadvertently created the "one-and-done" rule for soon-to-be college athletes.

The "one-and-done" rule is implying that star high school athletes will attend a top-notch university for one year for the sole purpose of making them eligible for the NBA draft. This rule is quickly starting to devalue the meaning of education for these athletes.

Throughout our lives, we are always told "school comes first, sports come second," but with the actions of the nation's top collegiate basketball players, this statement is not upheld. College players and coaches alike are making the choice to put basketball first before their courses. We increasingly hear of NCAA players missing exams, getting special treatment on due dates, and having poor attendance and effort throughout their one year of schooling. The "one-and-done" rule is simply pointless for these athletes. Throughout their one year, they learn little to nothing in the classroom, because they know that within the next year, they will be ready for the NBA draft. The "one-and-done" rule also has an affect on the Division I athletes that go to college for the right reasons, to higher their learning and get a degree that will shape the rest of their lives. These players that have devoted four years to their studies and prospective teams constantly get taken down in the NCAA tournament by the 18-year-old super stars that will be in the NBA in a short couple of months. The one year stars don't even establish any team dynamic, and the most likely do not have the heart to commit themselves to a team because of their ultimate goal, the NBA.

The NBA should go back to allowing their athletes to enter straight from high school to the NBA. An athlete should have to make the choice of whether they want to go to school and play basketball or go straight to basketball and not further educate themselves. Any athlete that has a shot in the NBA will not even consider going to school for more than two years. They need to be forced to make a concrete decision of pursuing a degree, then declaring for the draft, or declaring for the draft right out of high school. Degree or no degree, athletes must make the choice.