<p>Not usually my “thing”, but thought this was interesting…</p>
<p>"Last week Renardo Sidney, a 6’10 power forward ranked No. 16 overall in the 2009 Rivals 150, decided to take his game to Mississippi State. It was a minor recruiting coup for the Bulldogs, and slightly out of nowhere: Since when do big power forwards with versatile perimeter games choose Starkville – and no offense, MSU, but we all know it’s true – over places like USC and UCLA? What made the Bulldogs so appealing? </p>
<p>In fact, Sidney had already chosen USC. His family threw a lavish party for his signing announcement, and in dramatic fashion, Sidney pulled a USC cap from a box, packing peanuts and all, as the party clapped in celebration. But later, USC rescinded its scholarship offer, and now Sidney is headed back to Mississippi. Huh?</p>
<p>The Los Angeles Times got some athletic director subordinate types at USC and UCLA on the record about Sidney, and their answer for the confusing result is simple: They were worried about Sidney’s money issues: …"</p>
<p>It isn’t surprising at all to me. USC is dealing with an NCAA investigation on Reggie Bush (football player who left early in 2006) and OJ Mayo (basketball player who left early in 2008). I will bet money that the Athletic Director put his foot down in this case because of the previous investigation. USC needs to run a tight ship to not get the dreaded “lack of institutional control” judgment from the NCAA.</p>
<p>It’s because there’s not much else that USC can do. The expectations placed on universities when these players attend are approaching impossible </p>
<p>(ex: even if the Reggie Bush allegations are true, can we really expect any school to monitor a player’s parents, nearly 120 miles away from campus?)</p>
<p>Frankly I’m happy without any one-and-dones at USC. You have to build a team.</p>
<p>And there were concerns about Sidney’s academics, too. Even the one-and-done’s have to pass freshman writing here at USC.</p>
<p>Money wasn’t the only issue; discipline was a huge issue too. There was an article in the LA Times a few months ago that mentioned him getting into arguments with teachers. It’s sad, though, to see this happen to somebody who could potentially be so great. I saw him play once and he was absolutely dominating. I don’t think there was a single time (literally) he got the ball in the key and didn’t score or get fouled. The funny thing is I actually went to see him play twice, but the first time he was suspended because of a fight with a teammate.</p>
<p>“the first time he was suspended because of a fight with a teammate.
Sounds like a spoiled, pampered, out of control 6’10” immature 17 year old to me.</p>
<p>It’s because of the NBA Collective Bargaining agreement (basically the NBA’s contract with the union)</p>
<p>To enter the NBA, it says that US-based players must be at least 19 years old during the 2009 calendar year, and it must be at least one year from when their high school class graduated.</p>
<p>edit: Lebron James was not subject to this contract because he entered the NBA prior to the current contract.</p>
<p>Some of these “one-and-done” guys are a bit full of themselves and only think they’re good enough for the NBA straight out of high school.</p>
<p>For example, Davon Jefferson was part of the same USC recruiting class as O.J. Mayo, and apparently viewed himself in the same “one-and-done” mold. He declared for the NBA draft along with Mayo, but unlike O.J. (who was drafted 3rd with a huge contract), Davon wasn’t drafted at all and is now currently playing professional basketball in Israel.</p>