LeBron James didn’t play college basketball. But you’d best believe he has strong opinions about the NCAA.
The Cleveland Cavaliers star was asked Tuesday about the latest scandal to rock college hoops and cut straight to the chase in his answer.
“The NCAA is corrupt,” James said, via ESPN.com. “We know that. Sorry, it’s going to make headlines, but it’s corrupt.”
Last Friday’s report revealed a federal investigation into agents giving impermissible benefits to top college players at elite Division I schools. Apparently that didn’t surprise James, who believes the NCAA’s corruption is systematic.
“I don’t know if there is any fixing the NCAA,” he said. “I don’t think there is. It’s what’s been going on for many, many, many, many years. I don’t know how you can fix it. I don’t see how you can fix it. Obviously, I have never been a part it, so I don’t know all the ins and outs about it.”
James entered the NBA Draft right out of high school in 2003 — two years before the NBA established the “one-and-done” rule — and thus was able to cash in on his talents immediately. Like many other pros, though, he questioned the NCAA’s notion that college athletes are “compensated” through scholarships.
“I know how much these college coaches get paid,” James said. “I know how much these colleges are gaining off these kids. … I’ve always heard the narrative that they get a free education, but you guys are not bringing me on campus to get an education. You guys are bringing me on it to help you get to a Final Four or to a national championship, so it’s just a weird thing.”
So, what’s LeBron’s solution? The 14-time All-Star wants the NBA to expand its G League, which he believes should act as baseball’s “farm league” equivalent by giving young players a legitimate development alternative to the NCAA.
“We have to figure out if a kid feels like at 16 or 17 he doesn’t feel like the NCAA is for him, or whatever the case may be, (then) we have a system in place where we have a farm league where they can learn and be around the professionals, but not actually become a professional at that point in time,” James added.
“Not actually play in the NBA, but learn for a few years. Learn what the NBA life is about, learn how to move and walk and talk and things of that nature. Then in two years, they’re able to (go pro) … just like guys do overseas.”
