The “One and Done” rule refers to the policy of the National Basketball Association (NBA) where a prospect has to be at least 19 and a year removed from high school. College basketball is the only sport that uses this rule as college football and baseball requires you to have 3 years under your belt before being eligible for a professional league draft.
This hurts schools because they will have a good freshman class, but most will leave early to enter the NBA draft, depriving the school of their talent and leaving programs to rebuild year after year. For example, Duke University has 4 outstanding freshmen that are all projected to declare for the NBA draft; Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Isaiah Evans, and Khaman Maluach.
This trend leaves schools in a difficult position, as they are unable to retain their elite talent for a full college career, forcing them to constantly adjust and rebuild rather than developing a team over time.
Then there’s the issue of college teams becoming stepping stones. For many top prospects, college isn’t about academics or loyalty to a program; it’s just a mandatory pit stop before the NBA. That’s not their fault; the system makes it that way, but it waters down the college game. Fans don’t get to build lasting connections with players. Rivalries lose their bite. The identity of a team changes year to year, making it hard to follow, let alone root for.
Some argue that the “One and Done” rule is a necessary middle ground, offering young athletes exposure and development in a college setting while protecting the NBA from drafting too-young, unproven talent. But critics say it exploits college programs and players alike, using the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a glorified holding pattern rather than a true developmental system.
From the player’s perspective, it’s not ideal either. If someone is clearly ready to go pro right out of high school why force them to spend a year somewhere they don’t want or need to be? It delays their earning potential and puts them at risk of injury or burnout before they even reach the league.
The “One and Done” rule tries to balance college tradition with pro-level readiness, but it ends up pleasing no one. College programs suffer, players are restricted, and the NBA still ends up with rookies who need major development. It’s a lose-lose all around.
It might be time to scrap the rule and let athletes choose their path whether that’s going straight to the NBA, playing in college, or exploring other development options like the G League or overseas. Give them control over their careers. Let schools build actual teams. And let the game grow the way it should organically, not artificially.
