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From the military to the NBA

The military academies of the United States chief mission is to provide military leaders for the nation. Sports are played at all of the academies however emphasis is not placed on them in the same manner as most Division One programs. Based on that issue few service academy athletes have established pro careers, although the number is small most of the success has been in the NFL. There have been two other service academy grads in the NBA however David Robinson has attained the greatest success. Robinson played basketball at the USNA United States Naval Academy and later a hall of fame career with the NBA Spurs. Could Ethan Taylor be the next player from a service academy to earn an NBA career?

Taylor’s played the last four seasons for the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Taylor’s bio relating to basketball provides us a degree of his ability, during his senior season Taylor was the team’s leading scorer at 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals a game. He led Air Force in all those categories, in addition he managed to shoot 38% from the 3-point line. Since the days of David Robinson the military has changed its regulation regarding professional sports. I located this on the web: “Service academy athletes can pursue a professional sports career, but with some stipulations. Generally, they must fulfill a minimum service commitment (typically two years of active duty) before being eligible for a waiver to play professionally. This ensures they fulfill their obligations to the military before pursuing other careers.” Taylor got in under the wire, graduates beyond 2025 will be required to serve on active duty prior to the NFL or NBA.

He has a dream

One of the names you might not have heard in Summer League play was David Jones-Garcia. He endured quite a stretch of travel beginning with his birth in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. College scouts noted his talent while he was spotted representing his country in the FIBA 17-U tournament. From there his family decided to move to the United States to further his basketball development, he played at a private school in Teals Valley West Virginia. From their it was a stop at three colleges DePaul, St. John’s and then Memphis. There is a story behind the moves however it’s not going to be detailed here, let’s just say a school changing coaches entered into one transfer.

The 6-foot 6 small forward went undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft, he signed two-way contracts with the Sixers and Jazz. From there it was the Mexico City Capitanes, Salt Lake City Stars and back to the Capitanes. In Summer League play his brilliant effort led Jones-Garcia to be named to the All Summer League First Team, on the same date he signed a two-way contract with the Spurs. As most of you are aware two-way contracts called for a number of games in the G-League and several with the parent club. Based on a number of factors there is no guarantee Jones-Garcia manages to secure a standard NBA contract. What I believe is the great portion of the story is the continual effort he’s made to earn a roster spot with the Spurs. If that spot is not with the Spurs it could come with another NBA team or perhaps in Europe, whatever the future holds for Jones-Garcia he continues to pursue his dream.

August

Basketball activities occur in various forms throughout nearly the entire calendar year, with August being the rare exception. “In August 2025, college basketball will primarily focus on recruiting and preparation for the upcoming season. NCAA regulations, there is a designated dead period (August 4-5) where coaches cannot have any in-person contact with recruits.” Just recently NBA Summer League concluded in Las Vegas with crowning a champion. Prior to that we saw free agency as we watched a number of veteran players sign with new NBA teams.

In the month of June the annual NBA draft was held with its usual anticipation on which prospect was going where. We saw Cooper Flagg being selected by the Mavs plus a number of other high profile names being chosen. Despite the month of August being almost devoid of basketball movement Off the Dribble will continue to be published, we can slide through the month and look ahead to September. Early in the month, September 6 the Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2025 will be inducted. I am recalling the majority of this from my memory, there may be an event I am missing or possibly have overlooked.   

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Farewell Tour

October 21, 2025, the NBA season begins, a key question, will this be the farewell tour for LeBron James? I am reading all sorts of stories indicating the 2025-26 season will be his 22nd and last for his brilliant NBA career. Keep in mind this is a speculative piece nowhere has LeBron indicated he’s retiring. Despite turning 41 before the season ends I can state with certainty I’ve never seen any athlete his age play as such a high skill level. Vince Carter also played 22 seasons but from year 20 through retirement he was nowhere close to Vin sanity or Half Man-Half Amazing we all remember.

Robert Parrish was no longer “The Chief after 21 years of play, the same for the great Kareem Abdul Jabbar age 42 when he left the game. I have no idea as this is written in late July if this will be LeBron’s last year, when he decides No Mas the next stop will be the Naismith Hall of Fame in Springfield Massachusetts. From all indications LeBron will certainly not be idle, unlike some athletes who retire his plate is full. LeBron can travel in so many different directions a number of them we had no idea in which he was involved. The one area all of us believe he wants is that of NBA owner, the word is he wants the franchise in Las Vegas when it comes about. Although Vegas is at the top of the list I believe he would be satisfied as an owner of almost any NBA team.

It's a wonder you didn’t hear me laughing

The explanation for the headline is based on a fan letter I read recently. As reported earlier in this blog 5-star Class of 2026 guard Jason Crowe Jr. committed to Mizzou. The writer questioned “Why did he choose Missouri,” he was probably looking at some of the basketball heavyweights who were beaten out for this talented athlete. It is clear to me this writer failed to check recruiting prior to writing his letter. Depending on which source you might utilize he could ask the same question of AJ Dybantsa.

As most of you are aware Dybansta is a Class of 2025 five star prospect, he was rated number one or two by most scouting websites. Dybansta similar to Crowe Jr. also had a number of heavyweights including Kansas recruiting him. In a not to surprising move he would chose BYU over the others. The college basketball landscape has changed the last few years, NIL and the transfer portal among other things has even caused highly rated prospects to level the playing field. The acknowledged college heavyweights will continue to recruit, they will go on with attracting major talent. At the same time with a changed landscape expect BYU, Houston and of course Mizzou and others to entice gifted basketball players to their schools.