One of the hottest topics around Syracuse is the departure of the best basketball recruit to commit to the Orange since Carmelo Anthony. Darius Bazley is the number nine recruit in the ESPN Top 100 and was committed to SU until March 29th, when Bazley announced he would be skipping college and instead heading straight into the G-League.
This decision raised controversy, and not just from frustrated Syracuse fans, but instead from skeptics from across the country. It is a move that has never been done before, and led to many varying opinions on what was happening, including many frustrated Orange fans.
Of all the top 10, 25 or 50 college basketball players out there….Syracuse’s only Top 10 Player is the 1st to try & jump from high school to G League! Why not Duke, Kansas, or UNC who can spare a freaking player?!? #Shocked #DariusBazley #Bazley #NCAAB #ThursdayThought #FDuke pic.twitter.com/aFpLF7CMBL
— Hat Trick Swayze 🏒🥅🚨 (@ZeroPucksGivn) March 29, 2018
I am beyond shocked to see Darius Bazley decommit from Syracuse and choose to go into the G-League. The kid has game and will succeed at the next level but damn. ‘Cuse can never catch a damn break
— 'Cuse Army 🍊 (@Cuse_army) March 29, 2018
What is your response to Darius Bazley de-committing from Syracuse to join the NBA G-League?#DariusBazley #Bazley #Syracuse #Cuse #OrangeNation #CuseMBB #collegebasketball #sports #MarchMadness
— DT Sports Media (@CallDT) March 29, 2018
This action even received criticism from the head man himself, Jim Boeheim.
#JimBoeheim on #DariusBazley: 'It's not the way to get to the NBA' https://t.co/1K4g54GZoI pic.twitter.com/2eA0RwYsW0
— Xtraman Fundraising (@xtramancardsusa) April 4, 2018
Others, however, felt the move was quite reasonable for a potential future superstar.
Honestly, how much can you really blame #DariusBazley for choosing to head to the #NBA G-League rather than heading to college?https://t.co/uNF8Px7fNt pic.twitter.com/RQ8JXrkgIY
— Couch Guy Sports (@CouchGuySports) April 2, 2018
I salute the move by the young boi #DariusBazley make your own way #Respect 👏🏽
— Semaj-James IV (@TopNotch2k) March 30, 2018
In the end, the main controversy came down to if this is good for the future of college basketball and if future players should be able to do this.
DAILYQ: Should players like Bazley be able to enter the G-league without attending college? #ncaa #ncaabasketball #dariusbazley #basketball #sports #nba #gleague pic.twitter.com/EbbghKUEwb
— The Lui Report (@theluireport) March 30, 2018
Elite underclassmen say #DariusBazley’s G-League decision gives them something to think about https://t.co/RZIeG6Feg7 pic.twitter.com/ppmr6YHarB
— Xtraman Fundraising (@xtramancardsusa) April 11, 2018
It will certainly be interesting in the college basketball era of one-and-dones if the decision is instead to head straight from high school to the NBA minor leagues, something that could make or break future careers in the game.