Spencer Haywood has had a great week. The former ABA and NBA star was just named a finalist for the NBA Hall of Fame and was on-hand for all the festivities at NBA All-Star Weekend. Haywood was a pioneer in underclassmen leaving college for the NBA as his lawsuit against the league went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Haywood was ready to turn pro after two seasons of college basketball in 1969. At the time, the NBA required a player to wait until his class finished its senior season. Haywood went to the ABA, playing for Denver and leading the league in scoring, but also sued the NBA, which eventually settled.
Based on his own experience, Haywood would like to see the league increase the draft eligibility requirements so that prospects had to play two seasons in college before turning pro. That's not just hot air, either: He points to the current rookie crop as a perfect example of one-on-done players not being physically developed enough to handle the rigors of pro ball.
