Mark Emmert reiterates dislike about one-and-done rule
NCAA president Mark Emmert says he agrees with Philadelphia 76ers rookie forward Ben Simmons on his dislike of the one-and-done rule, but says he needs to be upset with the NBA, because it's their rule.
NBA rules stipulate that any player declaring for the draft must be at least 19 years old during that draft calendar year, and at least one season has to have passed since graduation from high school.
“The one-and-done rule is something I’ve made no secret about how much I dislike it,” Emmert said, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate. “It makes a farce of going to school. But if you just want to play in the NBA, you can do that. You can go to Europe or play at a prep school until you’re 19.
"That’s not our rule. That’s the NBA’s rule. But (he says) it’s another stupid NCAA rule," Emmert added.
Simmons voiced his displeasure with the NCAA in a documentary titled "One and Done" that is set to air Friday on Showtime.
"The NCAA is really f---ed up," Simmons said. "Everybody's making money except the players. We're the ones waking up early as hell to be the best teams and do everything they want us to do and then the players get nothing. They say education, but if I'm there for a year, I can't get much education."
Emmert said he would like the NBA's rule changed.
"We’ve made it really clear to the (NBA) players union and the leadership of the NBA that we very much would like it changed," he said.
Simmons played one season at LSU where he averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. He declared for the draft after the season and was the No. 1 pick of the 76ers.
Simmons has yet to play this season as he is recovering from a broken foot.
- Scooby Axson