“The harmful consequences of this decision will ricochet onto others who are trying to break in,” Paul said in an op-ed for The Athletic. “NCAA executives are once again preventing young people from less prestigious backgrounds, and often people of color, from working in the system they continue to control. In this case, the people being locked out are kids who aspire to be an agent and work in the NBA and do not have the resources, opportunity, or desire to get a four-year degree.
“I actually support requiring three years of experience before representing a kid testing the market. I can even get behind passing a test. However, requiring a four-year degree accomplishes only one thing — systematically excluding those who come from a world where college is unrealistic.
“Does anyone really believe a four-year degree is what separates an ethical person from a con artist?”
In the op-ed, Paul offered suggestions to how the NCAA could still reach its stated goals while being less exclusionary with its policies.
“Why [doesn’t the NCAA] partner with universities on a one-year program for agents who don’t meet their requirements but want to learn the business? Or work with existing agents who play by the rules to help mentor those who are trying to ‘break in?'” Paul suggested.
He ended his op-ed with his own take on a hashtag popularized by friend and client James: “#MoreThanAnAgent.”
Paul’s Klutch Sports represents LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons, Draymond Green, John Wall and other NBA players.
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