Former Top NBA Pick Speaks Out on NIL's Impact on Culture
Former Top NBA Pick Speaks Out on NIL's Impact on Culture originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Anthony Davis built his name in college hoops the old-fashioned way, one dominant year at Kentucky, a national title in 2012, and an unshakable bond with Big Blue Nation. But in the age of NIL and the transfer portal, the college basketball blueprint has changed. And Davis isn't afraid to say it's not all for the better.
Advertisement
In a candid conversation with Sports Illustrated's Patrick Andres, the NBA All-Star pulled back the curtain on how he views the current landscape. 'It's tough because obviously, they didn't have that when I was in college,' Davis said. 'It kinda takes away from the game a little bit because of, and I'm not hating, it takes away from the integrity in the sense of players are only going to certain schools because of the money.'
Those words hit home for many longtime fans and alumni who feel the spirit of college athletics is drifting. Davis' perspective isn't rooted in bitterness, as he acknowledges the upside. Players are earning what he once couldn't, with top talents like Cooper Flagg and AJ Dybantsa reportedly commanding deals in the seven-figure range. It's life-changing compensation for athletes who drive millions in revenue.
But Davis argues that with opportunity comes compromise. 'Because one guy can leave the next year, transfer, it gets tough when you start talking about culture. That kind of goes out the window, in my opinion,' he added.
He's not alone. Coaches across the NCAA have echoed similar concerns. In the 2024-25 offseason alone, over 1,900 men's basketball players entered the transfer portal. Programs are turning into revolving doors. Culture, once cultivated over four years, now has to be microwaved in a single season.
Former Kentucky Wildcat great Anthony Davis.© Scott Utterback/The Courier-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Still, NIL isn't going anywhere. With collectives growing and corporate sponsors investing more than ever, the system is maturing, and fast. Kentucky, Davis' alma mater, is among the schools adapting aggressively. Their NIL infrastructure, backed by the Big Blue Nation and donor-led collectives, is among the most robust in college basketball.
Advertisement
For Davis, it's not about resisting change. It's about accountability in shaping it. 'I just hope the game doesn't lose what made it special,' he said.
As fans, players, and schools navigate this new era, Davis' message is clear: celebrate progress, but don't forget the pride, loyalty and culture that once defined the college game.
Related: Kentucky Basketball Beats Cap Proposal With NIL Power Play
Related: Former Kentucky Great Has Words About NIL: 'I'm Glad I Didn't Play in That Era'
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Commanders WR Luke McCaffrey is a 2025 breakout candidate
The Washington Commanders added Deebo Samuel to the wide receiver room this offseason, giving quarterback Jayden Daniels another big-time weapon opposite Terry McLaurin. In addition to trading for Samuel, the Commanders also re-signed Noah Brown and K.J. Osborn and signed former Dallas Cowboy Michael Gallup. Brown was Washington's second-leading receiver before a kidney injury ended his season in Week 13. The Commanders also spent a fourth-round pick on wide receiver Jaylin Lane. While Lane is expected to be the primary punt returner immediately, he should factor into OC Kliff Kingsbury's offensive plans. Advertisement One player you shouldn't forget about is second-year wideout Luke McCaffrey. A third-round pick from Rice one year ago, McCaffrey appeared in all 17 games, including four starts last season. However, McCaffrey finished the season with only 18 receptions for 168 yards. He played in 36% of Washington's offensive snaps. Due to Austin Ekeler's injury late in the season, McCaffrey took over as the Commanders' kick returner and averaged almost 30 yards per return. So, while it's easy to focus on McLaurin, Samuel, Lane and others, you shouldn't forget about McCaffrey. There are reasons to be excited about the son of former NFL star Ed McCaffrey and the younger brother of former MVP Christian McCaffrey. At one point late last season, McCaffrey ranked fourth in the NFL in Pro Football Focus' separation percentage metric. So, why wasn't he getting more targets? Some of it could be due to Daniels being more comfortable with veterans McLaurin and tight end Zach Ertz. Also, many don't realize that the receiver position was still fairly new to McCaffrey. After beginning his career as a quarterback, McCaffrey moved to receiver for his final two seasons of college and excelled. Advertisement McCaffrey had a strong offseason and is ready for an increased role in 2025. "There's a lot that goes into your rookie year, on and off the field," McCaffrey said last week. "It's nice this year just not to have to ask about everything." What did McCaffrey work on throughout the offseason? "I worked on a lot, you know, the offseason, again, similar to the details of playing receiver, so long and so detailed that it would take probably too long to over all the intricate details." McCaffrey revealed he'd spent time this offseason training with his brother Christian. Advertisement So, while all the attention is on McLaurin, Samuel, Ertz and others, don't forget about McCaffrey. He's a sneaky breakout candidate for the Commanders in 2025. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Could Commanders WR Luke McCaffrey have a breakout season in 2025?
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former UFC Fighter Ben Askren, 40, Hospitalized with ‘Severe Pneumonia' and ‘Unable to Respond,' Wife Amy Says
Ben Askren is in hospital with "severe pneumonia," his wife Amy announced in a Facebook post on Saturday, June 7 The retired MMA fighter and UFC competitor is currently 'unable to respond to anything" The health scare comes after Ben recently signed to the wrestling promotion company Real American Freestyle and was scheduled to participate in more fights this fallBen Askren has been hospitalized with a severe illness. On Saturday, June, 7, Ben's wife Amy announced in a Facebook post that the former MMA fighter, 40, is currently in hospital after developing 'severe pneumonia.' She asked for prayers as Ben is currently not responsive to treatment. 'You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something,' Amy wrote. 'He developed severe pneumonia, which came on very suddenly. He's currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time.' 'We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace. We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully so please refrain from discussing it with them for now,' concluded the post. Ben and Amy have been married since 2010 and share three children, according to ESPN. Amy's post was shared after wrestling insider Pat Mineo posted about Ben's condition on X Saturday. 'Wrestling community, we need to pray for and rally around @BenAskren who is in critical condition and battling a severe staph infection 🙏🏻,' wrote Mineo, adding, 'He is also battling severe pneumonia, prayers needed!!!' During his MMA career, Ben achieved 12 consecutive MMA wins and won welterweight titles in Bellator MMA and One Championship, before retiring from the sport in 2019. The former MMA champion was also a member of Team USA in the 2008 Olympics, per ESPN and BVM Sports. In 2019, the two-time NCAA wrestling champion transitioned into UFC and in his debut fight, secured a record 1-2 victory over Robbie Lawler, per BVM Sports. In 2021, Askren fought against Jake Paul in the social media star's third career match for which he earned $690,000, according to CBS Sports. Paul, 28, defeated Askren in a technical knockout one minute and 59 seconds into the first round. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Ben's illness comes a month after he announced in a video posted on Instagram that he had signed with the new wrestling promotion company Real American Freestyle, co-founded by retired WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan. 'I just finished signing my Real American Freestyle contract,' Ben said. 'I've been waiting to wrestle. I kind of miss competition. I love fighting but I don't have time for that anymore … I'm going to whip some of these young whippersnappers, show them what the f--- it's all about.' The former MMA champion noted in the clip that he is excited to participate in more fights under the company in the fall. PEOPLE has reached out to Ben's representatives for comment. Read the original article on People
USA Today
33 minutes ago
- USA Today
Nebraska athletic director issues statement on historic House Settlement
Nebraska athletic director issues statement on historic House Settlement A federal judge has finally approved a settlement that could change the face of college athletics. Judge Claudia Ann Wilken approved the House Settlement, paving the way for college athletes to be financially compensated for their name, image, and likeness (NIL) directly by their school. A lawsuit was filed by Grant House, a former Arizona State swimmer, who sued the NCAA and the five biggest athletic conferences in the country. The settlement will now allow schools to directly compensate their student-athletes for their NIL rights. There are nearly 200,000 athletes and 350 schools in Division I alone, and 500,000 and 1,100 schools across the entire NCAA, according to data from the Associated Press. In the first year under the settlement, schools will be allowed to share up to $20.5 million with their athletes. That number represents 22% of their revenue from sources such as media rights, ticket sales, and sponsorships. Third parties are still permitted to enter into NIL deals with players under this agreement. Another aspect of the settlement is the $2.7 billion in back pay that will be paid to athletes who competed between 2016 and 2024. Those funds will come from the NCAA and the conferences. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
