Should students drop out of school to play professional basketball?

Jet, June 5, 1995

Juniors leaving early is not surprising anymore, Michael Jordan left the University of North Carolina in his junior year but later earned his degree.

But sophomore departures were once rare, with Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas being the most notable sophomores to leave school. Thomas also kept up his studies during his

pro career and later earned his degree. This year, three outstanding sophomores, North Carolina's Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace, and, Maryland's Joe Smith, have all tossed the books for promise of prosperity in the pros.

Georgetown University basketball coach John Thompson has been steadfast on the idea of young Black men staying in school to get their education.

And Thompson's philosophy is reflected in the school's graduation rate. At the end of the 1994 school year, 68 of 70 (97 percent) seniors who played for Thompson stayed in school for four years, according to Bill Schapland, Georgetown's sports information director.

We've never had a kid leave early, but I'm not in opposition to that, especially if it's suitable for that kid," Thompson said in an interview with Sport magazine.

Some of the NBA's finest players in the league today, Patrick Ewing, Reggie Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo and David Wingate used up all of their college eligibility before entering the NBA, according to Georgetown sports information officials.

"I would not think any less of a player for leaving early, and I don't know if I can pass judgement on another program for the decision it makes," Thompson concluded.