Mission age!

[AmmonCougar1]

Does this announcement change Jabari's decision now? Will he just leave on a mission right out of school and coming back to the NBA? Or will it encourage him to leave now and then come back to BYU to play a year before the NBA?

Go Cougs!!!
J. Child
Ammon, ID

[Schmoe]

I have no idea if this will affect Jabari or not, but I think it will impact recruiting quite a bit. Those who are planning on serving at 18 will leave right out of high school and will have a mission under their belts before deciding where to play. It will be interesting to see how this changes the atmosphere of recruiting LDS athletes, as many won't put in a year before leaving.

[BerliNY]

No Idea, but this is huge. Not just for Jabari, but for every BYU athlete (and every BYU student come to that), this could absolutely revolutionize BYU sports. Imagine not having to burn so many redshirts on Freshmen that won't play the next year anyway. Imagine having every player on the team be in Taysom's position (come back from mission with 4 years of eligibility). Sooo awesome. I'm sure there are unintended consequences that I can't foresee, but I don't think this makes LDS kids more likely to go to schools other than BYU and I'm sure the number of kids choosing to go to BYU during their missions will go up since there will be no pressure to sign an LOI before they leave on the mish.

Also, why, why, why couldn't this have happened at last conference before Demarcus xferred to clemson (dash it all!)

Huge huge huge!

[scott715]

It could affect basketball for the next couple of years. The roster is already laid out for the next couple of years. Do the kids change the plans and leave out of high school or stay with the plan. With Haws and all coming in, there could be some disruptions.

[SpiffCoug]

I can't believe that Thomas Monson would blatantly change the mission age, just to help BYU land Jabari.

[BerliNY]

I can't believe that Thomas Monson would blatantly change the mission age, just to help BYU land Jabari.

Everyone knows the Missionary Program is just a cover for the high-altitude, 24/7 athlete development centers that the church runs. It's the only thing that could explain why RMs come back with such incredible fitness levels. The age-change is just the next logical step.

[snoscythe]

Nick Emery already tweeting he is putting in his papers ASAP, so that puts him out a year early already.

[Ddawg]

I can't believe that Thomas Monson would blatantly change the mission age, just to help BYU land Jabari.

Everyone knows the Missionary Program is just a cover for the high-altitude, 24/7 athlete development centers that the church runs. It's the only thing that could explain why RMs come back with such incredible fitness levels. The age-change is just the next logical step.

+1

[Gunk]

I get the sense Jabari doesn't have plans to serve a mission.

The new policy should give him some food for thought, though.

Pure speculation on my part.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[saywhat]

Nick Emery already tweeting he is putting in his papers ASAP, so that puts him out a year early already.

This was always his plan. He is older and was going to leave on a mission right after high school before the announcement was made anyway.