In the day and age of young athletes profiting in ways never before seen, comes the newest professional high school basketball league, Overtime Elite. What started as a media company posting highlights of high school basketball players has now evolved into a league where players can sign and earn up to $100,000. 

They describe themselves as a “transformative new sports league that offers the world's most talented young basketball players a better pathway to becoming professional athletes.” Overtime offers 30 high school juniors and seniors who sign on $100,000 a year with access to training in new facilities and the ability to take classes in financial literacy and social activism. The league has picked up significant support receiving financial backing from prominent figures such as Jeff Bezos, and Drake. This league is the first of its kind to trailblaze what looks to be the beginning of “professional” high school athletics. 

Related: What it Means for Athletes to Profit off of NIL as of July 1st and What's Next

On paper, Overtime Elite may seem like a no-brainer for basketball players looking to take their game to the next level. But, the league doesn't come without its drawbacks. 

By signing into the league, you are forgoing your eligibility to play in high school and college. While star players like Kobe Bryant and Lebron James have been able to forgo college basketball and have successful careers, not all athletes can be the next Kobe or Lebron. Missing critical academic and social experiences that high school and college provide could hinder young men's ability after the league to further themselves.

 No matter what the personal decisions end up being for the young athlete leagues and opportunities like these are not going away. Overtime Elite has opened a door. We sports fans should be excited to sit back and watch play out across the United States.

* Originally published on December 1, 2021, by Noah Fisher