Why the NBA Draft Doesn't Necessarily Benefit the Kentucky Wildcats' Fab 5

The one-and-done school, Kentucky, did exactly what it's known for this year. It simply helped fantastic freshmen get the exposure that they needed to impress NBA scouts.

After one year, the university thanked the one-year players for their services and sent them on their way.

And what Kentucky is doing is actually destroying the "student" athletes once they leave the school.

There is absolutely no doubt that the five starting Wildcats have potential for great professional careers. Freshmen Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague, along with sophomores Terrance Jones and Doron Lamb, have had great NCAA careers. They also have great NBA potential.

But here's the problem.

The average NBA career lasts 4.8 seasons. Of the five Kentucky players heading to the NBA, it can be assumed that one or two Wildcats will have significant success in the NBA. The other players might have to be role players and fight for their minutes. A player who averages under 12 minutes per game averages a career of 2.01 NBA seasons. (Per same website listed above).

So what does this mean? Though players have seen extended NBA careers as time has progressed, these young men are risking a lot by leaving behind an enormous gift at the University of Kentucky.

Kentucky isn't a very cheap school. A four year degree will cost over $88,000. There are too many people in this nation that can't attend the school of their choice due to financial problems, yet basketball players are given a full ride to play a sport. 

The former Wildcats who are headed to the NBA figure to make way more than $88,000 when they sign their first contract—probably a six figure deal. But the financial benefits of entering the NBA are twisted.

As previously stated, the average NBA career is 4.8 seasons. Some guys last longer, some burn out quicker. The league is full of players trying to prove themselves day in and day out. There have been numerous players who were drafted high but couldn't stick around in the league.

So pretend one of these five Wildcats makes five million dollars in three years, gets cut and his playing days are over. Chances are the player wasn't the smartest with his money and never thought his career could come to such a quick halt. What does the player have to fall back on?

These players were given something that doesn't have a price tag—a free college education. The $88,000 or so just to attend the school was just a gift. Once a degree is obtained, a world of opportunities awaits these players. That's what Kentucky basketball players fail to take advantage of.

Sure, the argument can be made that players should enter the draft when their stock is high and when they are guaranteed millions. A college degree has no price tag because after graduation, the amount of money made will be higher than the cost of the education.

It's kind of cruel, but as more money is put into education, a greater amount of job opportunities tend to be available. The greater opportunities translates into higher salary jobs. Who knows how much money can be made based off a particular degree.

Maybe Anthony Davis tears an ACL on the first day of practice and never regains form. He has no backup plan. It was NBA or bust for him and his plan failed him. If he wanted to get back into school to get a degree to get a job, that money is coming from his own pocket.

The value of a college education is under-appreciated in the NCAA. There are over 340 Division I college basketball teams, but only 60 players get drafted every year. The odds of actually getting to the NBA are slim but staying there is even harder.

The University of Kentucky has had success with its one-and-done system. Freshmen have shined and have had decent NBA careers. But the inevitable is bound to happen at some point in time.

Though NBA-ready, one of these days a highly touted freshmen will not thrive in the league as expected. Not only would more NCAA seasons provide more experience, a degree would be there for the player to fall back on.

Having said that, give the three freshmen and two sophomores credit for leading Kentucky to the national championship and for their NBA stock. These players had the courage to turn down a college degree—which is so valuable these days—to pursue their dreams and goals.

Whether or not Kentucky does things the right way is another story. It is a scary reality but these players are basically risking their futures by passing up a free college education and trusting that the NBA will work out for them.

Maybe things work out for them. Maybe not. But having a backup plan with a degree has never hurt anyone.