A few years from now, freshmen phenoms like Jabari Parker won't have to decide between college and the pros after their first season. The decision will be made for them if new commissioner Adam Silver gets his way. According to ESPN, Silver's goal is to raise the league's age minimum to 20.
Silver has the support of most NBA owners - perhaps tired of spending millions on 18 and 19 year old prospects. Unsurprisingly, he also seems to have the backing of NCAA president Mark Emmert. The three parties met this week as part of an annual gathering.
"If we're going to be successful in raising the age from 19 to 20, part and parcel in those negotiations goes to the treatment of players on those college campuses and closing the gap between what their scholarships cover and their expenses," Silver told ESPN. "We haven't looked specifically at creating a financial incentive for them to stay in college. That's been an option that has been raised over the years, but that's not something that is on the table right now."
Just because the new age requirement could rise to 20 doesn't mean players would have to spend two years in college. Detroit Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings' alternative path to the league several years ago - in which he spent a season overseas to add the necessary year needed to enter the league - showed they'll always be other ways to make the NBA. Still, the most likely way will be college basketball as long as the game remains viable and popular.
"I'm reading and listening to college players and the other side saying development may be better outside the NBA or the environment isn't ideal in college," Silver said. "I think those are all things we have to look at."
