N.B.A. Players make their way back to school

Westbrook, a second guard year for the Oklahoma City Thunder, came to an end a history class this summer at UCLA as an NBA opens its season, Westbrook had been among about 45 players - 10 percent of the league - the gym Backpacks traded in the off-season. "The teacher has just called my name," Hey, Mr. Nice Westbrook. To see you. Nice for you to appear, "said Westbrook." I had to go all the way to the front and sit on the stage in front of the class all the time. For two hours. I could not sleep, could do nothing. For two hours. " The N.B.A. Unione ha iniziato a monitorare migrazione la classe di quest'anno. Murman Debbie Rothstein, director of professional development for the Union, said that the figure is considerably higher than before, even if he has the numbers earlier. For elite athletes, the seven-digit salaries ordered to return to college is an investment and a hedge against what may be an uncertain future. Chris Paul New Orleans Hornets re-working classes at Wake Forest and Westbrook teammate Kevin Durant ever further towards its conclusion in Texas. An amendment to the Rule League in 2006, stipulates that players at least a year removed from high school and will be processed at least 19th For many players who want to attend at least one year of college. The rule was the influx of players who entered the league directly from high school. But it could have an unintended consequence: Some try to finish what you started it. "I had classes with regular students and went to study hall and took the bus to school gym," Durant said. "It was everything I was doing than I was before. I'm only two years of college and three years removed from high school. It all came back pretty quickly." The average annual wage in N.B.A. is 5.85 million U.S. dollars, and the players are generally safe in the short term. Retirement is this completely different. It is estimated that 60 percent of the N.B.A. The players are broke within five years of retirement, and 78 percent of NFL players are bankrupt or in financial hardship due to lack of work or divorce within two years, according to a report by Sports Illustrated March. The magazine also reported that the struggle of many baseball players, after the financial retirement. "That's not necessarily working from a financial perspective, but it is the perspective we take with them," Murman said Rothstein. "Basketball is one of their passions, but they have others. What they need to become acquainted with their passion if they are equipped for basketball ready? Where are they going to make their brands more?" Professional leagues and unions have stressed education as a way to prepare athletes. Major League Baseball has set up the professional baseball scholarship plan in early 1960, to benefits and reimbursements to the players, many of whom are involved in their school or third year of academics. From 1962 to 1999, 69.2 percent of baseball players back into the classroom, "said Pat Courtney, a spokesman for Major League Baseball. Half of NFL players have college degrees - a higher percentage than the NBA or baseball, do not tell the players to professional football eligibility soon. Nearly 100 players back to school in the off season, the league and leads a management program with universities, including Harvard and Stanford. Players receive up to U.S. $ 15,000 for reimbursement of education. The best basketball players usually start studying if their populations are higher, often as early as possible in their academic careers. About 21 percent of the current N.B.A. The players have degrees, Murman said Rothstein. Some may not want to leave college early, but I feel obliged to help their families with financial burdens. Demand in the camp of the Union of High School signed players, players' contracts, that they will continue their training, should never the pro before graduating from the university. Some players groaned when Rothstein Murman they remembered when they are rookies. The agreement is largely symbolic, but some players take it seriously. The thunder and the Golden State Warriors had three players enrolled in summer courses. While some are creating building blocks for the future, others are fulfilled promises to loved ones or are destined to spend the first member of a family from the university. "I have a younger brother, and is an example of him and how important it is," said Westbrook, who has declared for the NBA season after his second year at UCLA The lessons can be tedious, he said, and it took a whole day on one side of the first document issued to him to write the contract. But he had called the advantage of participating in a university in which a number of NBA players for pickup games. Westbrook so easily back and forth by the court for the classroom. Twitter has recently received all B in its summer courses. Westbrook teammate Jeff Green took his class at Georgetown, where it undermines an English degree. One day he was sitting near the door, when a group of high school students passed. "A baby began to scream my name, and felt weird because I was trying to focus attention and everyone else has to pay in the class started to look like," What's going on? "Said Green." My teacher managed very well. He has just left and locked the door and went about his teaching. " The obligations of the sport and the school can sometimes collide. Vince Carter left the University of North Carolina for the NBA in 1998, but still continue to work toward his degree in Afro-American studies. In 2001, Carter, then a guard with the Toronto Raptors, was to juggle the preparations for a playoff game with his college degree. After the ceremony, rushed to Philadelphia to play the 76ers on. Carter finished the last stroke is missing the Raptors were eliminated. Fans and members of the media questioned his priorities, in accordance with this result. "The people who criticize me think, think with something that I, because this is an important moment in the life of everyone," Carter said at the time. "It is a person who could sit there and say that they lose their final exams for nothing." The distinction has a special meaning for Carter. Used for Durant, left the school after one season. It ignores the fact that his mother, Wanda Pratt wanted to return to school, but was consumed with raising him and his brother. "To walk across the stage will be as important as being prepared," Durant said. "Perhaps more importantly, because it lasts a lifetime." As another part of being a graduate: requests for donations from the alumni fund-raising office.