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The Teenagers Getting Six Figures to Leave Their High Schools for Basketball

nytimes.com

21–24 of 24 posts

Re: The Teenagers Getting Six Figures to Leave Their High Schools for Basketball

#21
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> whose only skill is basketball Condescending. I'm sure playing basketball at a high level requires an extraordinary level of diverse talents that are transferable.

> I'm sure playing basketball at a high level requires an extraordinary level of diverse talents that are transferable. Such as?

Communication, collaboration, strategy and analysis, perseverance, leadership.

Not to mention real world introductory experience with: nutrition, kinesiology, coaching, mental health and wellness, physiology, PR/media, statistics..

Re: The Teenagers Getting Six Figures to Leave Their High Schools for Basketball

#22
post #4

This reminds me of ycombinator. Exploit young people into entering a lottery where the only winner is the diversified investor.

Anyone who can get into YC can easily find a well-paying job elsewhere, which is not true for a teenage dropout whose only skill is basketball

According to website, players receive traditional HS coursework with supplemental courses related to managing life as a professional athlete. They also receive college tuition stipend up to $100K if their career does not pan out (in addition to other perks).

I wouldn’t characterize these players as “teen dropouts”. To me it seems like a blue chip program that doesn’t pretend like college academics is the main thing, and accordingly provides more benefits.

https://www.overtimeelite.com/facts

Re: The Teenagers Getting Six Figures to Leave Their High Schools for Basketball

#23
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I'm sure playing basketball at a high level requires an extraordinary level of diverse talents that are transferable. Such as?

Communication, collaboration, strategy and analysis, perseverance, leadership. Not to mention real world introductory experience with: nutrition, kinesiology, coaching, mental health and wellness, physiology, PR/media, statistics..

> Communication, collaboration, strategy and analysis, perseverance, leadership.

I'm deeply sceptical that these translate in any useful way off court.

It sounds similar to the equally unfounded belief that playing chess makes kids smarter.

Re: The Teenagers Getting Six Figures to Leave Their High Schools for Basketball

#24
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Truly elite level basketball players are likely smart and hard working. Why wouldn’t they find a job easily?

Because jobs look more for directly relevant formal education and work experience than being smart and hard working.

Depends on the definition of "job". There's more to gainful employment than office work or trades like plumbing. One doesn't need directly relevant formal education to, say, rehab and flip houses. There are all manner of businesses that can be started and run successfully with a bit of intelligence and hard work.
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