While this won’t be as big of a blow to the NCAA as No. 1 recruit Jalen Green spurning college ball to start his pro career in the NBA’s developmental league, college basketball just lost another recognizable name.
Alex Antetokounmpo, the brother of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, will be taking his talents to Europe to play professionally while preparing for the 2021 NBA Draft.
The Wisconsin high school senior was not considered a big-time recruit — Rivals ranks him as the 44th best power forward in the 2020 class — but was getting looks from some Big 10 schools, including Iowa and Wisconsin. He had received offers from mid-major programs Ohio and Wisconsin-Green Bay before deciding to take the pro route.
He broke the news to EuroHoops.net:
“I am examining my options, I have a few choices from the States, but I have decided to play in Europe. I want to become a pro as soon as possible. I was born and raised in Europe, I know European basketball and the best thing for me would be to sign a contract with a European club. I will have to train and compete against grown men, I will experience strong competition and pressure and I will evolve on every level.”
With more and more high school stars taking a similar route, college basketball is lacking star power. So even if Antetokounmpo isn’t exactly a star prospect, he is a recognizable name who may have attracted more attention to a sport that struggles to get it outside of March.
Obviously the NCAA recognizes this problem. The organization is moving toward “allowing” players the ability to seek endorsement deals. Short of just paying players already, that might be the best way to reverse this trend and protect this talent pipeline that hasn’t been threaten quite like this in the history of collegiate athletics.
The younger Antetokounmpo spurning the NCAA isn’t going to make major headlines, but the fact that even mid-level prospects can skip college and turn pro is just another sign that change to the current system is badly needed.
Antetokounmpo averaged 20 points and 7.3 rebounds during his senior season and was a first team all-state selection for the second year in a row.