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Ariz. Coach Swears Off 1-Year Wonders

Olson calls NBA rule "farce," plans to push for changes benefiting college basketball

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 11, 2008 2:55 PM CDT

(Newser) – Lute Olson is sick of an NBA rule that results in top basketball prospects spending just one year in college, the Los Angeles Times reports, and says he'll no longer recruit such players for his University of Arizona program. Olson, who's seen the rule cost Arizona two top players this spring alone, calls it a "farce" and say he'll push for changes.

Olson thinks players should have a choice: turn professional right out of high school or commit to two or more years of college. Though lobbying college rulemakers is one route, Olson's Syracuse counterpart says coaches must hope for a change after the NBA's current labor deal expires in 2011. Jim Boeheim will still recruit top stars: "Guys will leave," he said. "It's a fact of life."

Arizona coach Lute Olson calls the NBA rule that results in top prospects spending just one year in college before going pro a farce.
Arizona coach Lute Olson calls the NBA rule that results in top prospects spending just one year in college before going pro a "farce."   (AP Photo)
In this file photo, Arizona's Jerryd Bayless drives to the basket against UCLA's Kevin Love. Both Love and Bayless spent only a year in college before going pro.
In this file photo, Arizona's Jerryd Bayless drives to the basket against UCLA's Kevin Love. Both Love and Bayless spent only a year in college before going pro.   (AP Photo)
You've already seen the danger of the NBA's rule that has top prospects spending just one year in college, Arizona coach Lute Olson said. This is agent-driven, and it's a horrible rule.
"You've already seen the danger" of the NBA's rule that has top prospects spending just one year in college, Arizona coach Lute Olson said. "This is agent-driven, and it's a horrible rule."   (AP Photo)
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