What is the current status of these two former Buckeyes?

Bench warmers.

Two young men, neither old enough to legally buy alcohol in the United States, yet are millionaires.

Both are practicing everyday against the best competition in the world.

Koufos, including this year's salary, is going to make roughly 8 million dollars by 2013.
Mullens, including this year's salary, is going to make roughly 9.5 million dollars by 2014.

However, both surely made a mistake by leaving college early. I know if I was offered that much guaranteed money after my Freshman year of college I probably would have opted for 3 more years of eating ramen noodles, riding campus buses and working a minimum wage job just for spending money.

Both made it well known that they were one and done players. Are either going to have successful NBA careers? Not sure. I thought Mullens would eventually, I always doubted Koufos. Now I doubt that both ever will.

A classic example of opportunity cost. Both had the decision of having some money now and leaving school, or having more money later and using school to further their education, improve their basketball skills, and improve their draft stock. They opted for the former and as a result they are making a little less money and playing a little less in games right now then they normally would.

krazie45 wrote: A classic example of opportunity cost. Both had the decision of having some money now and leaving school, or having more money later and using school to further their education, improve their basketball skills, and improve their draft stock. They opted for the former and as a result they are making a little less money and playing a little less in games right now then they normally would.

Lets not forget, it's also possible that they never improve to the level some thought was achievable for them in their four years of college, thus either hurting their draft stock or never really improving it, and never make it in the league. Sure they might have their degree, but is that going to give them the millions they are set to make over these next few years? Who knows, but it's hard to say no to that kind of money when it's staring you in the face.

As much as I dislike the rule allowing athlete's to leave college early.....they both probably made the best decision for themselves.

Both were drafted as a prospect and, let's face it, you can't coach height. Had both stayed, they would have shown the NBA that they are truly the stiffs that they are and probably would never have drafted...thus, they cashed in on the talent that the NBA perceived that they had and have made money that they never would have had they stayed in college for 4 years.

During the all-star break Mullens wasn't selected to play in the rookies/sophomores game so what did he do?


He was at a Jackson High School (80 miles south of Columbus, where his girlfriend is from....and me too) watching a varsity girls basketball game in which Chillicothe defeated Jackson 48-29...his girlfriends sister is the PG on that team. He gets a lot of stares from the visiting fans like....who the heck is that 9 foot tall guy walking up the bleachers?


He actually looks like he's lost a few pounds....thinner than normal I'd guess. He is at one of the Jackson events every chance he gets from his schedule...to be wtih the little woman. There are some awesome Prom photos from last year if anyone wants to see them...lol

Many rip on him but he's bee nothing but polite to all the fans and little kids that approach him. Handles himself well in that setting.

Azubuike24 wrote: Two young men, neither old enough to legally buy alcohol in the United States, yet are millionaires.

Both are practicing everyday against the best competition in the world.

Koufos, including this year's salary, is going to make roughly 8 million dollars by 2013.
Mullens, including this year's salary, is going to make roughly 9.5 million dollars by 2014.

However, both surely made a mistake by leaving college early. I know if I was offered that much guaranteed money after my Freshman year of college I probably would have opted for 3 more years of eating ramen noodles, riding campus buses and working a minimum wage job just for spending money.

Although I am from the very old school and in my heart of hearts I would prefer that everyone finish their educational responsibilities
before jumping to the Pro ranks, I find your arguments very persuasive.
Therefore I am changing my position on this issue and am now saying "Grab it while you can!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I'd rather be known by my legacy than by the money I make. But I am in the small minority.

i have heard that mullens grew up very very poor

He lived on a bad street on the west side of Columbus for at least a little bit. I know that for sure

There are thousands of kids that grow up poor. Next..........

yeah but 1000's of kids dont have the chance to play in the NBA and make more money than theyve ever seen before....hence the reason he left early

If I were a big name college athlete who knew I was going to make a ton of cash at the next level, I would stay in school and just take out a shit ton of student loans. Might as well live large while on campus

Trueblue23 wrote: If I were a big name college athlete who knew I was going to make a ton of cash at the next level, I would stay in school and just take out a shit ton of student loans. Might as well live large while on campus

Really?

Are they really playing in the NBA? What impact are they making??????

Can you apply for student loans on a full ride athletic scholarship anyway?

CinciX12 wrote: Can you apply for student loans on a full ride athletic scholarship anyway?

Pretty sure that you can for "living expenses".

Many people are poor, actually MUCH POORER than Mullens, for 90 years or their entire lives. A 19 year old can't handle being "poor" until he's 20 or 21? Poor baby.

Azubuike24 wrote: Two young men, neither old enough to legally buy alcohol in the United States, yet are millionaires.

Both are practicing everyday against the best competition in the world.

Koufos, including this year's salary, is going to make roughly 8 million dollars by 2013.
Mullens, including this year's salary, is going to make roughly 9.5 million dollars by 2014.

How much of that money do you suppose they will have by 2013 and 2014? Most likely less than 25%. If Obama has anything to say about it they will be lucky to have 15%.

thedynasty1998 wrote:

CinciX12 wrote: Can you apply for student loans on a full ride athletic scholarship anyway?

Pretty sure that you can for "living expenses".

They get a stipend for that here. Something like $500 a month.

Big Gain.....good point!

wkfan wrote: As much as I dislike the rule allowing athlete's to leave college early.....they both probably made the best decision for themselves.

Both were drafted as a prospect and, let's face it, you can't coach height. Had both stayed, they would have shown the NBA that they are truly the stiffs that they are and probably would never have drafted...thus, they cashed in on the talent that the NBA perceived that they had and have made money that they never would have had they stayed in college for 4 years.

This.

The longer a guy stays, the more flaws will be seen in his game. Can't blame a kid for leaving when his stock is high.

How great would it be if the NBA had a 3-year rule like the NFL? Can you imagine guys like LeBron, Carmelo, Dwight Howard, etc. playing in college for 3 years? Not to mention OSU guys like Conley, Oden, Cook, Mullens, & Koufos.

77Legend wrote: I'd rather be known by my legacy than by the money I make. But I am in the small minority.

Legacy according to whom? Random outsiders? Fans? Family?
I could set up a nice legacy for my family and that is all that matters to me. Pay off my parents house, buy my family a nice house, establish a trust for kids (or future kids) to at a minimum pay for their college, and have a couple million to live off of.

If you want others to remember you, set up a small annual college scholarship program at the high school you graduated from.