Someone like Luca Doncic started playing professionally around age 14, I think. So the best European players don’t play university ball. Here in the US, students are forced to either play college ball (football, basketball) or go to the G League (newer basketball rule now).
So, it’s a bit of a different system, I think. But I’m not totally familiar with the European university system. But yes, we do love our college sports. At least I do.
And yes, thank you D21 only applied to in-state schools and SLO was her top choice. Her UC results were OK. Better than some worse than others.