Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy came in defense of one of the best NBA prospects in top-ranked Michigan State star Miles Bridges, who was involved in the NCAA fiasco, as part of a list of names that have allegedly received improper compensation for signing with their respective schools.
While the probe was part of an FBI investigation, Van Gundy went right to the root of the problem, firing fast and aiming high, as usual.
“The NCAA is one of the worst organizations — maybe the worst organization — in sports,” Van Gundy said, according to Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press. “They certainly don’t care about the athlete. They’re going to act like they’re appalled by all these things going on in college basketball. Please, it’s ridiculous and it’s all coming down on the coaches.”
Current and former players have stepped up in defense of these athletes, since a lot of them use the college game as an avenue to land an opportunity with the NBA and provide for their struggling families.
“People that we're against (players) coming out (of high school) made a lot of excuses, but I think a lot of it was racist,” said Van Gundy, unshakenly. “I’ve never heard anybody go up in arms about (minor-league baseball or hockey). They are not making big money and they’re white kids primarily and nobody has a problem.”
“But all of a sudden you’ve got a black kid that wants to come out of high school and make millions. That’s a bad decision, but bypassing college to go play for $800 a month in minor-league baseball? That’s a fine decision? What the hell is going on?”
Van Gundy's racism claim is not unfounded, given that the names headlining the probe list are all of color, creating yet another layer of turmoil for known activists like the Pistons coach, who hasn't shied away from calling things what they are.
The never-ending discussion surrounding whether college athletes should be paid or not is still underway, but with the NBA close to finishing out a 30-team G League in the next few years, it could soon come to an end and allow players to have a choice in the matter soon enough.
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