Coming out of high school and going straight to the league may have worked for LeBron James but not every 17 or 18-year-old is built the same way physically and/or mentally. The “one and done” rule is becoming a common thing in the NCAA and the deliberation over whether college athletes should get paid is everlasting.
Taking a year off after high school and working out, still active on the court is starting to become a trend yet being noticed by NBA teams is nothing compared to being on national television playing for Duke, Kentucky, UNC or any top Division I school.
This Finneytown High School basketball star and top ranked player in Ohio (2016) was aware of this and committed to Ohio State in August 2016. Darius Bazley de-committed in 2017 and two months later pledged to play for the Syracuse Orangemen. Then he decided not to play college ball overall and enter the NBA G League. Bazley changed his mind yet again and confirmed he’d train on his own and enter the 2019 NBA Draft.
I asked the 6’10” forward at the 2019 NBA Combine in Chicago what caused him to reject two top college basketball programs and train on his own.
“Initially that was my plan (college), but wasn’t best for me.”
When asked if he did it just to be spiteful towards the eligibility rules, Bazley said the rules aren’t that bad.
“Not that I thought the system isn’t fair, I feel college athletes get treated pretty well but for me, that wasn’t best for me,”Bazley said, “I was trying to make my own path.”
He followed his own yellow brick road and ended up with a New Balance internship. Not the typical internship that’s unpaid or pays minimum wage. A one million dollar internship.
I asked the 18-year old what the internship had him doing to where he’s getting paid a million dollars.
“Marketing, apparel team and social team,” Bazley smiled, “apparel was my favorite.”
“For apparel I held a focus group, went to a local high school and showed them some of the clothes, basketball shoes.- the ones I’m wearing now,” Bazley picks up his left foot with bright green and yellow New Balances, “Just learning like what fabrics to use, logo placement, what goes into making that, future trends, collaboration.”
For his three months of work, he will be paid $200,000 annually over five years. The internship is part of a multiyear shoe contract as well. If he reaches his performance incentives, he can make up to $14 million. Not too bad for someone who decided to skip college ball.
His agent and Klutch Sports co-founder Rich Paul was happy Bazley altered the structure and came to him for advice.
“It’s not for everybody, so I’m not gong to sit here and say anyone should follow this path. This was just the right path for Darius Bazley.”
“Him and his mom came to me, and they wanted advice…The main thing for me was just trying to find out the best way for Darius to spend his time since he was not going to college. And New Balance is very fearless, independent brand, and what they represent aligned directly with what Darius Bazley is and what he wanted to do.”
His athleticism at 6’10” has caught some attention with NBA owners and had interviews with several teams. All the same, the lack of development may hurt him in this draft. I asked if he would consider using his marketing knowledge from the New Balance internship and turn it into a career.
“If it comes around but I’m focused on basketball,” Bazley said.
If things don’t pan out for the young man, at least he has his internship experience and salary to look forward to.
Watch the full interview at the NBA Combine on the next page.