The economic value of an extra year in college to an elite basketball player

Abstract

In this study, the plan is to investigate some facets of the debate between attending college and entering the National Basketball Association for elite basketball players. Using the data from ten years of draft classes of the NBA, support is found that college basketball players are more successful in their initial year of professional basketball than those who are not. However, support is also found that there is convergence in the data seven years after finishing high school for these same players. The implications of this study for college coaches, players, and professional coaches/commissioners, are discussed, along with some suggested strategies.