Kanter Gets No Play!

Its College basketball time! This is the time of year where it is just sports everywhere you turn and who could not love it?

Well as we kick off this college basketball season, it seems that #11 ranked Kentucky is already off to somewhat of a rocky start. After loosing one of their key players, DeMarcus Cousin to the NBA, Kentucky thought they had a guy who could step up and take Cousin’s role.  WRONG!

Enes Kanter was suppose to be the big freshmen on campus and on the court for the Wildcats this season. But the NCAA has cut those dreams short by permanently making Kanter ineligible to ever play for the school due to receiving benefits above his actual and necessary expenses while play for three seasons in a Turkish club. It is said that he received $33,000 over his due expenses.

Many players from overseas come to play in the NBA getting picked up in the first round of the draft without ever playing in the United States. Kanter on the other hand wanted to play for Kentucky for a year and then most likely enter the 2011 NBA draft. He will be picked up in the draft though so not too much for him to worry about. But no player has played on the pro level then went back to school to play in order to go back to the pros. And I do not see any player ever being able to do that if the NCAA has anything to do with it.

At first glance to the story I thought, why shouldn’t he be able to play on a college team in the US since he did not play in the NBA but only overseas? Also why would they even allow him to commit and sign to the school knowing from the start that he would not be able to play?

The NCAA made the right move here though because obviously Kanter broke a rule by going above his expenses. But also I do not think it is a good idea to let someone play on a collegiate team after competing on a higher level. The talent is unjust there.

Hopefully all will be well with the Wildcats this season with their returns and newcomers that have talent to be displayed.