College Basketball Pros and Cons by Brook Simpson
College basketball can create many opportunities for athletes, but there can also be many downsides. Collegiate level sports are never going to be easy, so it’s a given that there will be challenges along the way. Along with the physical challenges, there are also some flaws in the system that create an unhealthy environment for some of the athletes' mental health. Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons of college basketball.
First, let's focus on some of the positives. College basketball is a way into college and additionally helps with tuition. Good grades are important for coaches, but mediocre grades can also get you into a university in the basketball world. On top of tuition, most scholarships at the Division 1 level also pay for room, board, books, and food. Aside from the money, they also provide you with extra class help to ensure you get good grades. Another bonus would be that you make lifetime connections with your teammates and coaches if you are lucky enough to find a school with a good environment.
The first con of college basketball is the constant demand the sport requires. It is basically a 24/7 job that will take up all your free time. Some athletes say that it takes the fun out of the sport and they fall out of love with it. Weekends are also rarely free and constant traveling to games makes it difficult to have a life outside of the sport.
Another disadvantage of college basketball is the transfer portal. The portal makes it hard for teams to create a bond because of all the girls going in and out of schools. When a talented player goes to a smaller Division 1 program, they often transfer to a larger school if they are playing well enough. Loyalty is a rare thing nowadays because of the transfer portal, but it’s not just the players who struggle with loyalty, as coaches are constantly moving to other schools. It’s hard for commits to choose a school based on the coach because they will most likely end up leaving.
Once again, college basketball can be a huge door opener, but it comes with a lot of sacrifice. If you are presented with the opportunity to play at the college level, you certainly need to weigh all the pros and cons. Sure, it is a lot of work to play in college, but it can also be the most special time of your life. You really need to ask yourself how much you love the sport and if you can see yourself playing for four more years.
First, let's focus on some of the positives. College basketball is a way into college and additionally helps with tuition. Good grades are important for coaches, but mediocre grades can also get you into a university in the basketball world. On top of tuition, most scholarships at the Division 1 level also pay for room, board, books, and food. Aside from the money, they also provide you with extra class help to ensure you get good grades. Another bonus would be that you make lifetime connections with your teammates and coaches if you are lucky enough to find a school with a good environment.
The first con of college basketball is the constant demand the sport requires. It is basically a 24/7 job that will take up all your free time. Some athletes say that it takes the fun out of the sport and they fall out of love with it. Weekends are also rarely free and constant traveling to games makes it difficult to have a life outside of the sport.
Another disadvantage of college basketball is the transfer portal. The portal makes it hard for teams to create a bond because of all the girls going in and out of schools. When a talented player goes to a smaller Division 1 program, they often transfer to a larger school if they are playing well enough. Loyalty is a rare thing nowadays because of the transfer portal, but it’s not just the players who struggle with loyalty, as coaches are constantly moving to other schools. It’s hard for commits to choose a school based on the coach because they will most likely end up leaving.
Once again, college basketball can be a huge door opener, but it comes with a lot of sacrifice. If you are presented with the opportunity to play at the college level, you certainly need to weigh all the pros and cons. Sure, it is a lot of work to play in college, but it can also be the most special time of your life. You really need to ask yourself how much you love the sport and if you can see yourself playing for four more years.