Kevin Durant and Brandon Roy are taking the NBA by storm. And I don’t mean Hannah Storm. (Although the Bald Sports Guy does have a crush on her).

In years past, the NBA guys making ESPN Sportscenter were the All-Stars, the team captains, the guys whose name everyone knows. But now, there has been a surge of young talent dominating the field. Rookies have always made an impact on teams, but more now than ever, 22-year old kids are becoming team captains and the faces of the franchises.

The Kevin Durants and Brandon Roys of the world are taking the league by storm. What caused this change? The leading theory seems to be Commissioner David Stern.

With the installation of the age restriction policy, prospective pros have been forced to enter the college ranks for at least one season prior to joining the big-leagues. That extra year may not seem like much, but the college atmosphere helps develop players as human beings, promoting responsibility and self-management. Not to mention that one year under the watchful eyes of college coaches vastly improves a player’s basketball abilities.

Take Brandon Roy for example. The poise that he displays is uncanny for a second-year player. His college experiences undoubtedly developed his awareness, technique, and leadership.

It may just be his personality, but four years at a university also contributed to Brandon Roy’s maturity. Try to remember back when you were 18 years old. If you were one of the top prospects in the nation while still in high school, wouldn’t you get a big head? At that age, dealing with the fame of the NBA would be extremely difficult. You start receiving those paychecks and suddenly your priorities change. It is difficult for a player that young to maintain his professionalism with the temptations of the league knocking at his door.

In college, any deviation from the expectations results in a seat on the bench—or worse. This stringent attitude is absolutely critical for the development of a young player.

So the next time you see Kevin Durant or Brandon Roy or any of the other young studs on Sportscenter, thank David Stern for forcing them to go to college.

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