Y13 [EN]: Chapter 6

Y13-6

00006 NCAA =========================================================================

The structure of the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) in the United States was vastly different from school sports in Korea.

Unlike sports in Korea, the NCAA in the United States doesn’t solely prioritize athletic success or team victories. It aims to guide students in achieving their rights both as students and as athletes. Emphasizing pure amateurism, unlike professional sports, the NCAA constantly promotes and manages its student-athletes. Therefore, student-athletes are prohibited from receiving gifts or sponsorships from professional teams or agents and cannot enter into contracts while in college.

Some NBA players have been caught violating these rules, leading to fines and disciplinary actions against their respective schools.

Even in Korean high schools, it’s common for sports teams to attend classes only in the morning and spend the afternoons training, all in pursuit of high scores. Often, these athletes end up sleeping through their morning classes. The situation is even more pronounced in universities. Consequently, students often lack the fundamental rights they should have, such as academic achievement and the development of social skills, in addition to their athletic pursuits.

Youngjae was well aware of the NCAA’s principles in the United States, but in his previous life, he’d only focused on achieving the minimum grades required to stay eligible for basketball, thinking, “Isn’t it enough for a basketball player to excel at basketball?”

However, Youngjae was different now. He immersed himself in his books, reading intently, and eventually smiled to himself, muttering,

“This is actually quite interesting.”

Youngjae was now studying and reviewing assignments with other basketball team members in small groups. Because students with poor academic performance are ineligible to play in games, even basketball players must maintain a minimum GPA [Grade Point Average] to graduate, providing them with a foundation to enter society even if they don’t pursue professional basketball careers.

The NCAA prohibits athletes from registering for games and participating if their GPA falls below 2.0. Since the GPA scale in American universities typically goes up to 4.0, this is equivalent to an average of C0. However, a C0 in American universities isn’t like in Korean universities, where you can get it as long as you don’t leave the exam paper blank. Therefore, universities are hesitant to scout students with poor academic records, even if they are outstanding athletes, because their eligibility to play in games is uncertain.

A prime example is Pop Melo of Syracuse University, a highly touted prospect from Brazil who was banned from playing due to failing grades. There have also been cases where the association discovered grade manipulation, resulting in the deletion of records from the season and restrictions on future national tournament participation.

Choi Jin-soo of Korea didn’t have GPA issues, but he had to choose summer school over training due to a lack of total credits caused by frequent national team call-ups. Ultimately, Choi Jin-soo couldn’t manage the academic demands and returned to Korea during his sophomore year to join the KBL [Korean Basketball League]. There was considerable controversy surrounding Choi’s return at the time, as he had been attending one of the most prestigious universities in the United States, which many saw as a waste of opportunity.

Youngjae was currently in study hall. From Monday to Thursday, the team was required to study together for two hours after team training. Youngjae’s high school grades weren’t good, and as a freshman, he was required to participate every day. Of course, this was the Youngjae of his previous life.

The NCAA limits team training for athletes to 20 hours per week. The number of training days is also limited to six per week, and most universities train for 3-4 hours every day from Monday to Saturday, designating Sunday as a day off. Of course, individual training is left to the discretion of the athletes.

“Ugh—you actually find that fun?”

Malcolm Thomas, who saw Youngjae reading the book with interest, shuddered and closed it. Youngjae was taking core (basic) courses because he was a freshman, while Thomas was taking mostly major-specific courses because he was a junior.

For this reason, it’s debatable whether players who enter the NBA draft after their freshman year are truly invested in their university studies. They are essentially turning professional after completing only the courses equivalent to general education requirements in Korean universities.

“I don’t know why you find that kind of wishful thinking interesting.”

Malcolm Thomas, who had become somewhat friendly with Youngjae, had a very outgoing personality. Even though he was a freshman in terms of basketball eligibility, he was two years older because he was a transfer student, and he seemed to have more experience with college life than the other freshmen.

Youngjae seemed to have finished writing his essay, as he slammed the textbook he was referencing shut and stretched. After the scrimmage, Coach Steve Fisher didn’t say much, but he gave Youngjae and Leonard more responsibilities whenever they had team training.

As a result, Youngjae and Leonard didn’t say much to each other, but they were both determined to avoid the misfortune of being ineligible to play in games due to academic issues. They sat down and studied diligently every night, and the results were beginning to show.

“I’m heading out.”

“Ugh… you’re leaving first again. Do you always finish your assignments faster than me?”

Thomas groaned in despair, then reverted to his cheerful self and placed his hands on the shoulders of Youngjae and Leonard, who were getting up from their seats.

“Hey, friends. What are you doing this Sunday?”

“Not much. Just practicing and resting as usual.”

“I don’t have any special plans either.”

Youngjae and Leonard reacted indifferently, and Thomas made an “Ew” sound, pouted, and muttered.

“Why are you guys like that? Let’s grab a meal together to build friendship and team chemistry. It’ll be fun, right?”

However, Youngjae picked at his ear and patted Thomas on the back before leaving the lecture hall.

“The rumors about you going on a blind date have already spread, so good luck.”

Leonard said, “Oh, really?” and gave a half-hearted cheer, hoping he would get a girlfriend, before following Youngjae out of the lecture hall.

“……Don’t those guys ever rest? Fine! I’ll just go meet some hot babes by myself.”

Thomas grumbled and slumped back into his seat to finish his remaining essay.

Youngjae and Leonard were roommates.

The room, which was a small studio apartment for two people, was a narrow space. However, Leonard was naturally taciturn, and Youngjae didn’t pay much attention unless it was a conversation related to his interests or needs.

Since the two lived together like this, they didn’t interfere with each other’s privacy and got along smoothly, as if the other wasn’t even there. However, there was a subtle tension between them, and that was ‘competitiveness.’

Since their positions were different, Youngjae and Leonard could both play as starters if they excelled in their respective positions. When one did individual training, the other joined him and they finished together. In this way, the two were creating a synergy effect and engaging in a ‘competition’ that tested their pride.

Of course, Leonard’s high school career was impressive, but Leonard had seen and felt Youngjae’s skills firsthand, so he acknowledged him and sought to surpass him. He had found someone to surpass without being complacent about his reputation.

They were on their way to shower after finishing individual training.

“Yoon.”

“Huh?”

“Thanks.”

Leonard nodded with a slightly indifferent but definitely smiling face and walked ahead. He’s probably just shy about expressing his feelings—

Leonard had been like that before.

Youngjae couldn’t help but chuckle at that thought.

============================ Author’s Note ============================

★Thank you to those who subscribed, recommended, commented, and gave coupons!!

Since this is a story about academics, I’m uploading another chapter for the readers.