Andy Katz on agents and recruiting

If you haven't seen it yet, Andy Katz filed a lengthy column taking a look at how agents have changed the way college basketball operates.

His central point is basically that agents start recruiting players the same time coaches do - early in their high school years. That recruitment does not stop when they are in college, either. While this sounds illegal, it technically isn't as long as the agent is just "establishing relationships" and no money exchanges hands.

Being an agent is just like any other job - it is all about who you know. That is why these guys start trying to establish a relationship with not only the players, but that player's family, handlers, AAU coach, etc., at such a young age. The hope is that by getting to know these young stars on a personal level before they are pro's, they will be able to land them as a client once the money starts flowing.

I'll let you read the article for the details, but there was one quote from Billy Donovan that really stood out too me:

The thing that is difficult is that agents aren't living under any of the rules as it relates to contacts. We have rules for contacting a player, but an agent can do it as much as he wants and can go over to his house. We can't do those things.

This summer has been one of scandals, and if you have been keeping track of the numerous articles delving into college basketball corruption, you would recognize the theme.

In an ideal world, college basketball coaches are the people that we want players listening too. For the most part, they have the best interest of the kid in mind - whether it is the decision to go pro, which agent to sign with, or anything else basketb (or non-basketball) related that may come up. Agents, handlers, and entourage, in general, have much more of an eye for their own self interests.

The problem, as Katz illustrates, is that the coaches are losing influence. And the biggest reason for that is the way the rules are structured. Coaches have to be so careful about not only how much time they spend with their players, but when and how many times they contact them during the recruitment period. Everyone else - agents, runners, AAU coaches - can spend as much time as possible getting the know the player, whether he is in high school or college.

You want to lessen the impact that these hangers-on have on the game? Limit the amount of time the players can spend with these people.

It is easier said than done, however.

Why?

Because the NCAA has jurisdiction over the college coaches. They have none over the agents and handlers.

How would they enforce a punishment?