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Top NBA prospect Mo Bamba believes that turning pro right after high school would have been better for his development as a basketball player. Bamba, of course, was not able to take that route, as the NBA is currently not accepting players younger than 19. Instead, he had to play one year in college under the Texas Longhorns program before declaring for the 2018 NBA Draft last month.
In an appearance on ESPN’s The Jump, Bamba noted the advantage he could have had if he was allowed entry into the league a year earlier than what the current regulation says.
“But at the same time, I could have had a year of NBA development and had a year head start,” Bamba said. “So, obviously, I would love to have that opportunity if it was there for me.”
In one year in Austin, Mo Bamba averaged 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game. Bamba was an instrumental piece for Texas’ interior defense that ranked among the best not only in the Big 12 but in the nation as well. With Bamba as the anchor of the Longhorns’ defense that rejected 4.9 blocks per game.
In his last game in Texas uniform, he had 13 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks in an 87-83 overtime loss to the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
The NBA’s one-and-done rule could be gone as soon as 2020, which could pave the way for the return of prep-to-pro stars in the league.
