BENEFITTED FROM COLLEGE
Derrick Rose, Memphis, point guard: "I'm happy that they made that rule because I matured a lot when I went to college at Memphis and coach (John Calipari) helped me grow so much as a player. Being in college helped me grow into being a great basketball player and more of a floor general as a point guard. If I had gone straight to the NBA I'd probably be somewhere on the bench or the D-League."
Kevin Love, UCLA, power forward: "I feel like college not only made me a better player but also a better person on and off the court. There were some leadership things that it helped me with at UCLA. Going to school and just making the honor role was big for me and my parents. Going to school, I didn't know what I was doing. I was throwing myself into different interviews and workouts and learning time management at the college level was huge for me."
Anthony Randolph, LSU, power forward: "After spending a year in college, knowing what I know now, no I wouldn't have come out out of high school. College is a great experience, to mature as a person and as a player. I learned so much during my short time at LSU."
AGAINST THE RULE
O.J. Mayo, USC, point guard: "Once I heard about the rule, everyone, including myself, was upset because it's a kid's dream to go from high school to the NBA. For some guys going straight from high school to the NBA it could be a trap because they aren't mature enough to handle the distractions. I guess a year of college can help you get ready for the NBA."
Eric Gordon, Indiana, shooting guard: "You never know if going to college made you better because some of the NBA's best players ever came straight out of high school. The past two years some of the best rookies have been one-and-done with college. Everybody takes different time to mature, so some are ready right out of high school and some need college. That's why it's unfair to have the rule."
COLLEGE DREAMS
Michael Beasley, Kansas State, power forward: "I was in the 10th grade when they passed that rule and I still had three years of high school to go, so it didn't really affect me. I always wanted to go to college anyway. It's been my dream since I was a kid to go to college, so I'm not bitter about the rule."
D.J. Augustin, Texas, point guard: "I matured a whole lot in college. I wasn't ready for the NBA coming out of high school and I never even considered it. I wanted to go to college first. (The rule) didn't really affect me at all."
