Gosh I'm going to miss Joel next year. It's not just for selfish Jayhawk reasons why I would have like to see him return to make us a definite title contender next March. I will miss his effort, attitude, and his crazy footwork. We've all questioned effort and motivation on this year's team from time to time, but no one questioned Joel's hustle. I'm sure he often masked his pain so coaches would let him play on. He did that as long as he could, until the pain took over. He did everything in his power to try to help us win. No question about that!
Historically, I've sat on the other side of the fence on this OAD topic. I sat on the side that makes the fight for kids to stay in school. These kids aren't ready for the 'No Boys Allowed' league in every possible aspect. They don't have the mental or physical maturity to hang with long seasons, gold diggers trying to snag their wealth and fame, lonely travel schedules, all the money and financial burden it places on them, and all the hot/cold interactions they will have with fans and media. And most important, their bodies are not developed enough to take the physical assault that will be unleashed on their bodies. NBA seasons (and other games) typically cross over 100 in a year (when adding in playoffs). These young kids will go up against big, physical men who know many tricks for gaining advantages, or pushing young players to their limit. Teenagers are not prepared to face all of this, period.
But I've jumped over to the other side of the fence with Joel. I didn't change my opinion based on all the money he will make, or all the money he puts at risk by returning to Kansas for another "non-profit" year of basketball. Of course, that plays into decisions, and it should, but that isn't what made me change my mind.
What convinced me that Joel needs to move on is the fact that there is no fall back in college basketball when it comes to health insurance. Joel is fully-covered as long as he wears a Jayhawk uniform. But what about after that? Fact is, he will be on his own. So any injury he incurs during this playing days at Kansas are not covered after he leaves. Most of the time, injuries follow players for the rest of their lives. Often, they require medical treatment indefinitely. This fact puts Joel at risk in a situation that could create serious hardship in his future regardless if his parents are financially stable or not. If he were to go down with an injury that ends his potential in the NBA, he'll have to move forward without it, and he will carry forward his injury to face after KU.
This fact should help many of us change our minds about players leaving early. They just simply have to risk too much by staying at Kansas. Personally, I'm not the kind of guy that chases wealth, so I hardly relate to the types of income numbers we read about if these guys get signed early in the draft. But I have experience with sports injuries. I've been dealing with several of mine ever since they happened. One particular injury has created great hardship in my life. I've been fortunate to be able to do well enough (financially) to take good care of myself, but everyone doesn't have positive outcomes from being in this situation.
Joel will never have his jersey number raised in AFH. So be it. But he will be remembered and held in high regard for what he gave in the short time he wore a Jayhawk jersey. We all know his real dream to come back next year. He's just been fortunate enough to have the right people around him explain the risk, and he's been mature enough to do the right thing under the circumstances.
Fairwell, great lion hunter! You will be missed and you are always welcome back because you are now a lifetime Jayhawk! Best of luck in the league!
Rock Chalk, Joel Embiid!
