Pac-12 basketball Task Force recommends sweeping reforms to NCAA and NBA

After allegations amidst NCAA basketball programs, the Pac-12 basketball commissioned a Task Force to recommend improvements. Their recommendations will shake the NCAA and NBA

Right now, the NCAA men’s basketball program is sorting through the allegations and FBI investigation which led to Federal indictments.  And so, the Pac-12 Basketball formed a Task Force whose charter was simply to propose unprecidented reform to collegiate basketball . They have worked hard. As a matter of fact, that work has led to a series of reform recommendations. At their completion, those recomendations of the Task Force, a 50 page report available here at Pac-12.com/taskforce, were unanimously approved this past weekend by Pac-12 presidents and chancellors.  In fact, they have been submitted to the NCAA Commission for consideration.

As you may know, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice chairs that NCAA Commission. And on a parallel track, they are working towards collegiate basketball reform. The goal is to eliminate the incentives to break rules, and add strict disciplinary responses to transgressions across the entire NCAA.

The Task Force has determined five new reforms which will eliminate the environment of forced NCAA basketball for one year. If the NCAA acts to implement these reforms, the resulting changes will impact both the NCAA and NBA permanently.

Five reforms

I – End “One and Done,” and Preserve Eligibility of Athletes Who Are Drafted but Don’t Sign

First of all, this is the big one. This impacts NCAA basketball, the NBA, the NBA Draft, and perhaps the G-league.  In summary, the reform creates two seperate tracks: On one hand, young men who simply want basketball go directly to the NBA. On the other hand, young men taking the NCAA college basketball program track commit to a minimum of three years. The rules would mirror those of baseball. This would also allow college athletes to hire an agent, decline the NBA draft, and retain eligibility for college baskeball.

II – Create a New Enforcement Unit Independent of NCAA

Secondly, this reform establishes an invesigation and enforcement organization which would be entirely seperate from the NCAA.

III- Take Control of and Regulate Recruitment Process

Thirdly, this reform would remove the invitational tournaments sponsored by apparel companies and create regional NCAA tournaments to provide for recruiting without financial incentives.

IV – Fully Disclose Shoe/Apparel Deals

This reform is pretty straight forward. As such, full transparency to all financial arrangements with any and all shoe/apparel sponsorships or dealts.

V – Provide Access to Professional Agents and Strengthen Education

And finally, this reform recommends creating education and mentorship programs to players and family members of players to aide them in avoiding crossing the regulatory line inadvertantly.

Next: Previewing Washington’s first round NIT matchup with Boise State

These changes may not fix everything. But it does respond to removing athletes from the NCAA colleges who only go to play basketball. And it reinforces the education of those athletes who choose the NCAA college track. The NBA will likely adopt any reforms passed by the NCAA. As you may know, the NBA is also seeking ways to reform the one-and-done rule.