Blame agents and everyone else

Like most top college basketball freshman, Arizona's Jerryd Bayless has made himself eligible for the 2008 NBA Draft. He has also signed with a sports agent, which means he can't "test the waters" and return to college if he is dissatisfied with where he might go in the draft. Mock drafts currently have Bayless being selected anywhere from the 3rd to 5th pick.

Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson is apparently displeased that Bayless decided to leave, and is also upset that he was not consulted. Olson reportedly told ESPN's Andy Katz (ESPN Insider subscription required): "I don't think it was very intelligent on Jerryd's part, but his parents felt he should do it [and sign with an agent]."

Not intelligent? Wow. To me, it would be hard for anyone to find fault with Jerryd's decision. When these decisions are being contemplated I typically invoke legendary UNC coach Dean Smith, who generally advised players projected to be top 10 picks to come out early primarily because they could secure their financial future.

Olson is especially angry with basketball agent Jeff Schwartz, whom Bayless signed with. Said Olson,  "The agent never was in contact with us and never called anyone in the Arizona office to indicate that they would be signing Jerryd. We'll make sure that agent doesn't represent any of our players in the future as long as I'm here."

Perhaps Olson used his leave of absence to brush up on the Arizona's Uniform Athlete Agent Act (UAAA).

The University of Arizona athletic department's student-athlete handbook makes the law chillingly clear:

"You become immediately ineligible if you agree (orally or in writing) to have a person represent you in future negotiations involving your athletics abilities or worth. Be aware that Arizona State Law requires notification of your institution's athletic director within 72 hours if such an agreement is made with an agent. Civil or criminal action could result from non-compliance. You become ineligible at once if you or your family or friends accept anything (inducements) from an agent or their emissaries."

Olson may have wanted to be involved in the decision process, but Jerryd and his advisers didn't do so. That's their right. If Olson wanted to talk to Jerryd, then he should have reached out earlier. Complaining to Katz about what he thinks transpired is petty. And let's not forget that Olson, who recruited Bayless to play for him, presumably didn't consult with Bayless about his decision to not coach the team this past year.

--Marc Isenberg

Comments

[Bo]

gee. be a top 5 pick and make millions or go back to help lute olson have a top 10 team

rough call

[Matt]

To each his own, but what if Jerryd gets hurt during the team workouts? He's already signed an agent and now can't go back to school. Didn't that happen to Brandon Rush?

He's just giving up the option. I guess if you can get a shoe deal done before the draft it might be worth it, but I would keep all my options open just to be safe.

[acie earl]

i think its both at fault, im sure coach olson didnt have the influence he did on the kid since he sat out the entire year,and now days these kids dont rely on the coaches as father figures as much as the dean smith, john thompson era, these just kids have a plan way before they get to college, like oj mayo and beasley. rose ect, so if olson wanted to interject his will, he shouldve reached out to the kid himself

[Nate Jones]

It's kind of funny that Coach Olson would get upset about this when he allowed Rob Pelinka to come in and sign Marcus Williams when he wasn't even guaranteed to be a first round pick. There must be some special relationship with Rob and Coach Olson or someone at Arizona going on as he has signed Marcus Williams, Channing Frye, and Andre Iguodala over the last few years. Iguodala was also an underclassmen, but you didn't here this same stuff from Lute back then either. Is he upset that Jerryd is leaving, or that Jerryd is signing with someone that he doesn't have a connection with (Jeff Schwartz). From all accounts, Jeff Schwartz is very good at what he does and Jerryd is guaranteed to be a top ten pick.

And Matt: I'm sure that Jerryd has already secured some sort of insurance policy that would aid him in case of any pre-draft/pre-contract injury.

Here are Pelinka's clients: http://www.draftexpress.com/agents/Rob-Pelinka-99/

[Randy]

It's unfortunate that Olson expressed anything other than complete support of Bayless's decision. If Olson coached Bayless his freshman year, perhaps he would have been more involved in the decision to go pro and also the decision to sign with an agent. As far as citing Brandon Rush as a reason not to sign, I am not sure that is all that compelling -- yes there is a chance of major injury, such as an ACL, but the odds are still pretty slim. The NCAA rule that allows a player is the ability to return to school is great for those who had not business leaving school in the first place. Bayless is not in that category. My attitude for those players projected in the top 10 is if you're going declare for the NBA draft, go all out and show the NBA that you're fully committed.

[Marc Isenberg]

The NCAA allows players the one-time opportunity to "test the NBA waters." While this is a lifeline to many college players who won't be picked as high as expected, it does come with several caveats:
1) Must maintain amateur status: that means not signing with agent, accepting extra benefits, including someone who might offer to pay for training).
2) Stay in school: Players who wish to keep their options open must remain enrolled in school.
3) Limit team workouts to 48 hours -- and no missed class time! This is especially difficult for schools on the quarter system, which don't end until early June.

NBA teams can also pay travel expenses for workouts as long as the trips last no longer than 48 hours and no classes are missed. I am glad the NCAA provides much-needed flexibility to those who might otherwise get lost in the shuffle, but people should keep in mind it's not as simple as, DON'T SIGN WITH AN AGENT.

My friend Jay Bilas and many others abhor the "testing the waters" rule, mostly because of the upheaval it causes college programs, which is understandable. But I still think the good far outweighs the bad. And most coaches know that players who leave do so for the right reasons and those who come back are typically humbled and ready to go to back work, both on and off the court.

For guys like Bayless, Beasley, Mayo and Love, they are better off making the full commitment to the NBA. And their college programs are well served by being able to move on.