Blake Griffin is an American professional basketball player who played college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners from 2007 to 2009. He was the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft and has gone on to become one of the best players in the league. Griffin is a five-time All-Star, a four-time All-NBA selection, and a two-time NBA Slam Dunk champion. Despite his success in the NBA, Griffin is not currently playing in NCAA basketball.
Griffin’s College Career
Griffin was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school and chose to attend the University of Oklahoma. He was a highly productive player in college and was named Big 12 Player of the Year in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Griffin was a key member of the Sooners team that reached the Elite Eight in the 2009 NCAA tournament. After the tournament, Griffin declared for the NBA draft and was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Clippers.
Griffin’s Professional Career
Griffin had an immediate impact in the NBA and was named Rookie of the Year in 2010. He quickly developed into one of the best players in the league, making five consecutive All-Star appearances from 2011 to 2015. Griffin also made four All-NBA teams and won two NBA Slam Dunk contests. After eight seasons with the Clippers, Griffin left the team as a free agent in 2018 and signed with the Detroit Pistons. He has since become a key member of the Pistons’ core and helped the team reach the playoffs in 2019.
Why is Griffin Not in NCAA Basketball?
Griffin is not currently playing in NCAA basketball because he is an active NBA player. NCAA rules state that players must be enrolled in college in order to compete in the NCAA tournament. Once a player declares for the NBA draft, they are no longer eligible to play in college basketball and must wait a year before they can be drafted. Griffin declared for the draft in 2009 and has not been eligible to play in NCAA basketball since then.
What Would it Take for Griffin to Play NCAA Basketball?
In order for Griffin to play in NCAA basketball, he would have to re-enroll in college and sit out a year before he could be eligible to compete in the NCAA tournament. This would require Griffin to leave the NBA and re-enroll in college, a move that is highly unlikely given his success in the league.
Would Griffin’s Presence Change NCAA Basketball?
If Griffin were to return to NCAA basketball, it would undoubtedly change the landscape of the sport. Griffin is a dominant player and would instantly become one of the best players in the league. His presence would also draw more attention to the NCAA tournament and could potentially boost ratings and attendance.
What Other NBA Players Played in NCAA Basketball?
There are several other NBA players who have played in NCAA basketball. Some of the more notable examples include:
- Lebron James – James played one season at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School before declaring for the NBA draft.
- Kobe Bryant – Bryant declared for the NBA draft directly out of high school and never played in the NCAA.
- Kevin Durant – Durant played one season at the University of Texas before declaring for the NBA draft.
- Dwyane Wade – Wade played two seasons at Marquette University before declaring for the NBA draft.
What Other Professional Sports Players Played in NCAA?
In addition to NBA players, there are many other professional athletes who have played in NCAA sports. Notable examples include:
- Tom Brady – Brady played four seasons of college football at the University of Michigan.
- Drew Brees – Brees played four seasons of college football at Purdue University.
- Alex Rodriguez – Rodriguez played three seasons of college baseball at the University of Miami.
- Tiger Woods – Woods played two seasons of college golf at Stanford University.
Conclusion
Blake Griffin is an NBA star who is not currently playing in NCAA basketball. Griffin declared for the NBA draft in 2009 and has since become one of the best players in the league. In order for Griffin to play in NCAA basketball, he would have to re-enroll in college and sit out a year before he could be eligible to compete in the NCAA tournament. If he were to return to NCAA basketball, it would undoubtedly change the landscape of the sport. There are several other NBA players and professional athletes who have played in NCAA sports, including Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Alex Rodriguez, and Tiger Woods.
References
NCAA Eligibility Rules
- NCAA Eligibility Center
Griffin’s Basketball Career
- Blake Griffin Basketball Reference Page