THE LATEST LINE: COLLEGE HOOP STARS CAN'T BE BLAMED FOR TURNING PRO

You're Joe Whiz Kid, a sophomore at Semi-Normal University. You're majoring in business. You're a sharp fella, a smooth talker who knows how to relate to people. You're hoping to start out making around $30,000 a year when you graduate with an eye on perhaps one day really striking it big. Maybe even running your own company.

Well, evidently you've been faring pretty well in the classroom and in your part-time sales job, showing plenty of promise that one day you'll be among the best in your field. Word is getting out. Hey, the young man is for real. He's going places.

And there's this company that doesn't want to wait for you to finish school. They've heard all about you and even seen you in action. This kid can handle himself, they say. Extremely cool under pressure. A take-charge kind of guy. Exactly what we need.

This company would love to have your services right now -- and they're willing to pay you big bucks, say well into six figures.

So Mr. Whiz Kid, tell us, what are you going to do? Sure, getting a college degree is one of your big goals. But your absolute No. 1 goal has always been to ultimately make the best living possible. After all, that was why you went to college in the first place, wasn't it?

The Whiz-meister doesn't hesitate. He's going to take the money and run. If he waits, maybe the opportunity won't be there in a couple of years. Maybe he'll be injured in an accident, lose some of his skills and charm, and that company will say `see ya.'

Okay, you get the point, which is this: Can you really blame all these college basketball hotshots who are leaving school early for the riches of the NBA?

Now, I'm not talking about the marginal first-round draft prospects who have flaws in their game and would be better off staying in school for at least another year. A perfect example is Syracuse star John Wallace.

Wallace thought about entering the NBA draft last year, but he needed work on his outside shot and probably wouldn't have been taken until late in the first round at best. Now he'll probably be a lottery pick.

And I'm not even talking about the recent announcement that high school phenom Kobe Bryant was going pro. It might work out for him, like it has so far for Kevin Garnett, but I wouldn't advise it.

But for the college stars who figure to be lottery picks as it is, the Joe Smiths and Jerry Stackhouses of last year, or the Marcus Cambys, Stephon Marburys, Allen Iversons and Ray Allens of this year?

If you ask me, those kinds of players would be crazy to stay in school. The same goes for similar-type talents in football. I'm not knocking a good education. I'm just being realistic.

Like I said, you go to school with the goal of ultimately getting a good job that pays well. If you're already assured of making top-line money for your profession, then why wait?

If you've got any sense at all, the first contract you sign will set you up financially for life. You can always go back to school later -- or maybe even buy a university.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian