The New "Fab Five" - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Kentucky's starting five, 92% of its total offense, has declared for this year's NBA draft. I am not the least bit shocked, and quite frankly I think it is amazing! Not only is it rare to hear that the starting five of one team to declare for the draft, it's also hard to believe that three are freshman, and two are sophomores. Athletes with LITTLE experience in the college game are about to embark on BIG things in the professional game. Are they ready?

Now let me preface by saying, I am one who believes in the value of an education, and I believe that the opportunity to learn, is a gift. From an athletic standpoint, I strongly believe in the value of experience. I believe that it takes time for your body mechanics to develop, your skills set to develop and for yourself as a player and person to mature. Bottom line though, it's 2012 and it's sports!

Recently I wrote about the importance of winning and post season play for athletes, in particular at the college level. Winning a conference title in my opinion to most is out of style and has been replaced by the dream of winning a National Championship; sad but true. For Sophomore Doron Lamb, he said it clearly himself, "the reason I stayed {at Kentucky} was to win a National Championship...and we did that. Our dreams came true." Task seems simple, right? I can tell you the thought is simple, but the accomplishment once gained, means the WORLD!!!

Some will not agree, and some will, with the decisions these young athletes have made. But if you sat back and put yourself in the position of these young athletes and think about it; you may understand. Let's just put it into perspective from the eyes of Anthony Davis. As a freshman you are Player of the Year, respected as one of the best to play the college game, and have just won a national title, all on top of holding the SEC crown. What else do you have to accomplish? It is what it is. So when you are offered that professional contract to continue to do what you love to do, would you really respond any other way?