Abstract: Basketball players who enter the NBA early are not ready for the NBA. The early entry into the NBA by high school and college basketball players has had a negative effect on the college basketball program, the NBA, and the players themselves. Every year the number of first-timers in the NBA increases more and more. In 1997, 47 basketball players entered the NBA draft early, and the number has been increasing ever since. The college basketball program is drained of talent due to players leaving early. High school players going straight into the NBA hurt the college program because they never contribute to the college program. The NBA now has to deal with a higher level of immaturity and disrespect from young players. College basketball players get a certain respect and maturity in college. Players suffer because they do not understand the concept of learning due to lack of education. Many analysts argue that entering the NBA before finishing a four-year program is entering too early. NBA Commissioner David Stern has begun working on how to encourage players to go and stay in college. High school and college basketball players began entering the NBA earlier and earlier as the year progressed. Overall, this translates into a negative effect on college programs, the NBA, and the players themselves. Before 1994 there were usually only eight to ten starting entries in the NBA. The number grew to 18 in 1995, and a staggering 40 players in 1996 and 47 in 1997. The number of first-timers in the NBA is growing to the point that it is becoming a problem that must be addressed by the NBA players association. College basketball is in serious trouble. Of course, any sport would be when it is featured... in the center of the card... Arper, 1994. Curtis, Jake. “The Young and the Restless.” San Francisco Chronicle May 8, 1996: E1Clarkston, Michael. “From boys to men.” The Toronto Star May 28, 1997: B6Feldman, Robert. Understanding psychology. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2000. Henderson, John. "Skipping school." The Denver Post March 11, 1999: D1Livingston, Bill. “Young NBA players learn by doing.” The Plain Dealer December 17, 1997: D1May, Peter. "Exorbitant salaries." The Boston Globe July 11, 1999: E2McCallum, Jack. "Go, go, go." Sports Illustrated July 20, 1996: C4Pensa, Patty. "Early departures." The July 4, 1999 Columbus Dispatch: E2Wann, Daniel. “Team identification.” Journal of Sports Behavior June 7, 2000: 23Wilbon, Michael. "Fishing pool." The Washington Post May 3, 2001: D1Wolff, Alexander. "Impossible dream." Sports Illustrated July 2, 1997: C4