Athletes promising parents they'll attend college doesn't mean what it used to

In John Wall's press conference to announce his decision to play basketball for John Calipari at Kentucky, a reporter asks him why he did not more strongly consider applying for the NBA draft by exploiting loopholes in the rules, and he stated, "Because I promised my mom and dad before he died that I would attend college." It is universally accepted that, barring any major setbacks, Wall is a one-and-done athlete. Is this what kids are promising their parents these days? That they'll do the college thing for a year and get on with their lives? No. Wall's got ulterior motives behind his decision, none of which include pleasing education-first mentalities. He's on the monorail to NBA success and Calipari is the conductor.

On another note, Calipari is simply beasting the 2009 recruiting class. More on this later.