Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James said in a press conference Tuesday that he believes the NCAA is corrupt, ESPN reports.
“I don’t know if there’s any fixing the NCAA. I don’t think there is,” James told reporters.
The FBI is investigating whether players were paid, in violation of NCAA rules. The investigation comes after Louisville was forced to vacate its 2013 title and Final Four appearance after a sex scandal involving former coaches and players.
James skipped college and went straight to the NBA in 2003 out of high school, a move now prohibited. Though players aren’t required to go to college in order to be drafted, they must be at least 19 and one year removed from high school.
“Obviously, I’ve never been a part of it, so I don’t know all the ins and outs about it,” James added.
He spoke with pride about the NBA’s G-league, and said he looked at it like baseball’s farm system.
James raises a good point about the NCAA corruption taking advantage of players, when there are better opportunities for athletes. But, if teams like Louisville continue to be punished for breaking the rules, perhaps change is coming. Because we need March Madness. Nobody needs to see LeBron and Stephen Curry phoning it in for 82 games, only to actually turn it on in the playoffs.