NBA all-star Kevin Garnett, who was drafted into the NBA straight from high school, actually wanted to go to college - and have his college life documented and shown on TV.
Garnett, one of the most successful NBA players in history, wanted to go to college after retiring from the court, CBS Sports reported. The idea of going to college and having it filmed by Showtime reportedly popped up in Garnett's head after his stint with the Boston Celtics, said Chris Mannix in his show "The Vertical."
Mannix, who was interviewing the Minnesota Timberwolves' shooting guard Zach LaVine, openly shared the story (at around the 30 minute mark) "now because [the show's] not going to happen."
"He was retired. But when it ended in Boston, he thought he was done in Boston. He thought it was going to end there. Paul (Pierce) had to talk him into the trade to Brooklyn," Mannix said of Garnett's idea.
"He was on a plane to China with the head of Showtime Sports, and he went up to this guy -- Stephen Espinoza's his name," Mannix continued. "He went up to Stephen and said, 'I've got an idea for a show. How about I go to college?' KG came out of high school, he never went to college. He wanted to go to college, live in the dorm, and let Showtime shoot it."
One couldn't help but wonder how the nearly 7-foot-tall man would live a normal college life. Online commenters have their own ideas:
"Can you imagine, KG going to keggers, 7 foot KG sitting front row for Philosophy 101, KG eating in the cafeteria.... and theoretically, couldn't he also play on the college ball team? " wrote one commenter on Real GM.
CBS Sports Writer James Herrera says, "if Garnett and Showtime revisited the idea, it could still work. It could be called "Mature Student or 40 Going on 20" or something."
What about NBA player LaVine, who Mannix was interviewing?
"That'd be hilarious," he said.
