The NBA Age Restriction

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the age restriction imposed on the eligiblity of future NBA athletes. The writer first examines how the NBA's revised age requirement could potentially help the NBA and then turns to the negative implications of this requirement that concern the marginalized African-American athlete. The paper contends that the age restriction does not reflect the true reason of developing athletes and making them more mature, but has an underlying racial component to it. The paper therefore argues that the age restriction should be lifted and the minimum age requirement should fall back to 18.

From the Paper:

"Lucrative contracts in professional sports coupled with the extravagant dollars spent on product endorsements and young athletes have finally taken its toll on the National Basketball Association [NBA]. With more high school athletes declaring eligibility for the NBA draft right out of high school, David Stern, NBA commissioner, has finally implemented an age restriction on the eligibility of future NBA athletes. Up until a year ago, the age restriction for declaring eligibility had been 18 years of age, or graduating seniors from high school. In the past year the rule has changed, which now states that an athlete wanting to declare for the NBA must have undergone at least one year at the collegiate level, or is 19 years of age or above. This has sparked great controversy across the nation and has opened the flood gates on issues concerning race and racism as well as a discussion around socio-economic issues."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Associated Press. "O'Neal To Get Degree from LSU." Dec. 12 2005. April 17 2007. <http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2000/12/12/Sports/Oneal.To.Get.Degree.From.Lsu-701598.shtml>
• Jackson, Scoop. "Why Can't O'Neal Ask Questions?" Apr. 14 2005. April 17 2007. <http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=jackson/050414>
• Dr. Johnson, Jessica. "NBA age restriction not racist." Apr. 25 2005. April 17 2007. <http://www.e-sports.com/articles/496/1/NBA-age-restriction-not-racist/Page1.html>
• Quinnipiac Chronicle. "One and done: NBA's age restriction adds maturity and talent to rosters."17 Apr. 2007. April 17 2007. <http://media.www.quchronicle.com/media/storage/paper294/news/2007/04/10/Opinion/One-And.Done.Nbas.Age.Restriction.Adds.Maturity.And.Talent.To.Rosters-2832511.shtml>
• Robinson, Mark D., PH.D. "Every Black Kid Should Strive to Be a Professional Athlete." 23 Aug. 2004. April 17 2007.http://www.blackathlete.com/Psychology/082304.shtml>

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