Al Lawson bill would eliminate NCAA ‘one-and-done’ rule

Al Lawson is taking it to the hoop when it comes to late-game fundraising. (Image via Roll Call)

Some NCAA men’s basketball programs are infamous for their “one and done” players, “diaper dandies” who spend a year in a collegiate apprenticeship before moving to the NBA.

New legislation from U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, a former college baller who spent some time in the pros and coaching ranks, would change that.

HR 6749 would eliminate the National Basketball Association “one-and-done” rule, which requires American players to be at least 19 years of age and spend a year in college.

The bill reads: “A collective bargaining agreement between a professional sports league and a professional players’ association entered into after the date of the enactment of this Act shall allow adults to enter the collective bargaining agreement at the same level as other adults with the same experience level in such professional sports league.”

The current NBA CBA extends until 2024.

The rule has been a “burden” on college programs’ recruitment budgets, Lawson posited.

“Eliminating this rule would allow college programs to further invest in student-athletes who are truly interested in gaining a college education,” he added.

Lawson’s bill offers myriad protections for student-athletes, such as a returning-athlete scholarship program, summer work opportunities and full insurance coverage for sports-related injuries.

But the change in “one and done” would be an impact noticed not just by athletes, but fans.

Lawson represents Florida’s 5th Congressional District, which winds through eight counties along Interstate 10, and was designed to be won by a Democrat.

The district now has 442,303 voters, of whom 255,673 or 58 percent are Democrats.

Lawson faces Republican Virginia Fuller in the general election.