To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

[bkrich83]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

As someone who did play ball in college,the only advice I can offer is this. You'll never have this opportunity again. If you can live with passing that up, then go to the big school. But, you don't want to be one of those guys who 10 or 20 years later is thinking about what he could have done... I have a ton of friends like that.

[VDusen04]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

I had the opportunity to play baseball in college for a couple of schools, but decided against it. I ended up rooming with a baseball player my freshmen year. The first time he woke up at 5 am to go run 10 miles for practice while I continued to sleep, I knew I made the right decision.

Intramural wiffle-ball champ, ftw!

Another good point. I love basketball, but I found virtually no redeeming qualities in the aspects of college basketball like the one you mentioned. The only reason I would have wanted to play college basketball is so I could say I played college basketball. And as one may assume, that's not reason enough to justify the 5am wakeups, the bus rides, the mandatory study sessions, the insane practices, the screaming coaches, the likely low minutes role for at least two years, and the general grind.

I'm sure most players who tough it out and play a college sport all the way through have nothing but fond memories. The insane conditioning practices tend to give way to the great moments with teammates. However, I don't regret not playing college ball. I think I was burnt out post-high school and the ability to play the game on my own terms in my late teens and early 20's was invaluable. I got to play when I wanted, where I wanted, and how I wanted. That sort of basketball freedom was a spiritual awakening of sorts.

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

Something else to ponder is what you want to do beyond college. If you don't think you have any legitimate future in basketball, you may not want to go to college just to play.

You could also go to a big college and try to walk on or even play on the club team.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

Going to a "big school" is overrated anyways.

[legendkiller5]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

I don't know your relationship status or your interest level in women, but they (sorority girls if that school has sororities, cheerleaders, etc) will come easier playing ball wherever you do, then if you were a regular guy at a bigger school.

That could make up for 'missing' the experience of going to a large school (rushing a frat, large parties, etc).

Even if you do play a sport, you can still get involved in student groups and organizations in the small amount of free time you have, things that can be seen as part of the 'college life'. One of the DB's at Mizzou is the VP of a school organization he helped start.

And I'm like most of the guys here or friends they know; I wish I would've at least walked on to Mizzou, as there was no doubt I was good enough to play for them. Watching the games on Saturday can be depressing because I can see myself being out there.

Like OTB said, going to a large school is kind of overrated, this coming from someone who goes to a large school and will go to a larger one for graduate school. Not everyone is about that college life and has a crazy, 4( or 5) year college experience.

You love it, so go play it, and like others have said, if you don't like it, transfer and you'll still have plenty of time at the large school to enjoy your college experience. That way, you can say you tried both and won't live with any regrets.

[st0rmb11]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

As someone who was offered several D-2 and NAIA scholarships, and turned them down for my freshman year so I could be in school with my friends, I have to say - play ball, man.

Basketball was my life in high school, and I missed the hell out of it during my freshman year. I still played pick up games when ever and where ever. I even practiced with a local high school during that span, just so I could play as often as possible.

You sound like you love basketball as much as I did in high school, and I'll tell you this - it is hard to get away from it.

I say, go to a smaller school, play for a season or two, see about transferring and walking on at a bigger school, where your friends are (which is what I had planned to do when I finally gave college ball a try).

I will say, keeping the grades up is tough and takes some effort, especially with all of the practice and weight lifting hours and all that, but it's worth it.

It's 5 years later, now, and do I regret not committing to playing straight out of high school? No. Because I wouldn't be where I am now if I had. I love where I've ended up and I love coaching basketball as much as I love playing it.

[1Rose]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

Yeah, go play ball man.

I had some offers for baseball and basketball, but there was really was no incentive because my school would be paid for anyway. It became like a job for me, and when I realized that I had no shot of going pro in basketball, baseball I had a chance,but I decided I didn't want to spend that much time doing it.

Needless to say, I regret it, alot. GO PLAY!! You can have a great time in college and play ball at the same time.

[shorty12345]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

As someone who was offered several D-2 and NAIA scholarships, and turned them down for my freshman year so I could be in school with my friends, I have to say - play ball, man.

Basketball was my life in high school, and I missed the hell out of it during my freshman year. I still played pick up games when ever and where ever. I even practiced with a local high school during that span, just so I could play as often as possible.

You sound like you love basketball as much as I did in high school, and I'll tell you this - it is hard to get away from it.

I say, go to a smaller school, play for a season or two, see about transferring and walking on at a bigger school, where your friends are (which is what I had planned to do when I finally gave college ball a try).

I will say, keeping the grades up is tough and takes some effort, especially with all of the practice and weight lifting hours and all that, but it's worth it.

It's 5 years later, now, and do I regret not committing to playing straight out of high school? No. Because I wouldn't be where I am now if I had. I love where I've ended up and I love coaching basketball as much as I love playing it.

Yeah my man, I really don't know what my life would be like without basketball in it, playing my WHOLE life. Its just I have a love for the game, as it seems you do too. But as everyone was asking, all the schools showing interest are very good academic schools which is why they are interested in me cause of my GPA and skills of course. I know i really have no future in basketball after college so thats why i kinda want to have my last hoorah at it, and I know I cant walk-on at a bigger school as some people are suggesting cause the school I would go to is Arizona State University. But yeah i just wanna thank everyone for the different input really kind of shows me different point of views and what I could be thinking in the future.

[khaled]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

If you don't mind me asking, what major are you thinking about majoring in? If you're gonna do a really tough major that is going to take up lots of time (engineering, arch...), you should definately weight in what impact playing ball is going to do to your gpa. Otherwise, I would say go for it. If it doesn't work out, you can always transfer. If you love playing, don't turn it down because you'll think "what if?'. Good luck.

[shorty12345]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

If you don't mind me asking, what major are you thinking about majoring in? If you're gonna do a really tough major that is going to take up lots of time (engineering, arch...), you should definately weight in what impact playing ball is going to do to your gpa. Otherwise, I would say go for it. If it doesn't work out, you can always transfer. If you love playing, don't turn it down because you'll think "what if?'. Good luck.

See thats the thing, i dont really know! I have had multiple teachers tell me i should look into engineering and maybe major in math.

[24]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

Play Basketball. You love the game with a burning passion and your clearly dedicated to it. This will be your only chance and you should go for it.

[12]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

Yeah my man, I really don't know what my life would be like without basketball in it, playing my WHOLE life. Its just I have a love for the game, as it seems you do too. But as everyone was asking, all the schools showing interest are very good academic schools which is why they are interested in me cause of my GPA and skills of course. I know i really have no future in basketball after college so thats why i kinda want to have my last hoorah at it, and I know I cant walk-on at a bigger school as some people are suggesting cause the school I would go to is Arizona State University. But yeah i just wanna thank everyone for the different input really kind of shows me different point of views and what I could be thinking in the future.

Pro's:

• You get to play ball for four more years
• The smaller school(s) are still strong academically
• Being an athlete WILL help you with your social life and meeting new people
• You love ball; you say you don't know what your life would be without ball in it
• You could give your family something to be proud of as well; they would get to watch you do something you love.

Con's:

• You feel you might miss the "big school" experience
• You'll have more free time without the commitment of college basketball

...and that's all I can think of. The choice, to me at least, is clear. When my wife is struggling with a situation, I always ask her... "Will you EVER regret doing this, even if it doesn't go your way," and "Will you regret this if you don't even try or miss out on it?"


Me personally, I tend to weigh the odds of regret, because that is one of the worst feelings to have. Along with basketball, I was being clocked at 84-86 MPH as a high school pitcher when I was 16, but quit. THAT'S A HUGE REGRET. At 6'6" I think I had a very real future in baseball if I would have kept playing... That regret, even though it fades, will not go away. You may think your career is done after college, and it probably will be, but weigh the regret factor. It can really hinder your development as a person and your level of self-respect and esteem.



I think there's an easy choice in this bro, but only you can decide what's best for you. It sounds like you have a great situation and future waiting for you either way, but I believe you know what your HEART is telling you.

[bkrich83]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

I would like to add this. To this day, all of my closest friends are guys I played ball with. It's a bonding experience that simply can't be replicated. I would not give up those 5 years (I redshirted one year) for all the money in the world.

It's a once in a lifetime shot that not everyone gets, my advice is to take advantage of it.

[kehlis]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

I played D3 baseball at a small school and my coach literally took up our time year round and gave us very little time to have a social life.

I don't regret it for a second.

[edaddy]

Re: To play small college ball or go to a university and just have fun?

As someone who did play ball in college,the only advice I can offer is this. You'll never have this opportunity again. If you can live with passing that up, then go to the big school. But, you don't want to be one of those guys who 10 or 20 years later is thinking about what he could have done... I have a ton of friends like that.

I have to agree with this and really thats what it's all about. As someone who played football at a supposedly "small school" I can honestly say I made the right decision.I won a national Championship got some rings and met some of the best lifelong friends ever simply because of the relationships you develop with your teamates ..I too had a chance to play ball at a large university out of Junior College but was given great advice by my coach be "a big fish in a little pond" and make you collegiate playing experince count..As far as fun let's just say I had as much or more fun than some of my peers who attended these big universities..Believe me theres fun at every college don't let that be a determening factor..I am telling ya you never get a second chance at that collegiate playing experience it's a blast..