Lebron James has become a household name. As a rookie in the NBA he is averaging 21.1 points per game, 5.8 assists per game, and 5.5 points per game. He is also one of the richest people in the world, signing a deal with Nike worth over $90 million. What makes this so remarkable is that Lebron James is only 18 years old, and fresh out of high school. He is a 6'8", 240lb guard from Ohio that decided to take the leap from high school to college. Lebron is not the first to do this, and definitely not the last. This jump is becoming more and more of an everyday trend each year during draft time for the NBA.
             I believe that people are leading these kids in the wrong direction. Too many are making the mistake of not going to college, just to pursue the dream of playing in the NBA. By doing these people are missing out on one of the best times of their lives-college. They are being forced to grow up in a diminutive amount of time. They are also forgetting about the education that they are going to need further in life.
             Any kid that has grown up playing basketball has had the dream of playing professional ball somewhere in their mind. Whether it's lodged somewhere in the back, or the driving force of their every day, kids work hard at the thought of someday being the next 'Michael Jordan.' What they fail to think about is that college is one of the stepping stones to get to that level of their life. Vince Carter, player for the Toronto Rapters, was also an early entry into the NBA. However, he played three years in college. In an interview with Jet Magazine he quoted, "Not only did it help me develop as a player, but mature as a person (Carter)." The coaches are the college levels are much better coaches then at the high school levels. These coaches can teach you more in one year then any coach could in your entire life. The structure and discipline at that level prepare you for what&...