For decades before the early 1980's it was understood that LDS basketball stars were not expected to go on missions. The frequently offered rationale for this was that, as with Donny Osmond, these young hoopsters could do more through their stardom to "spread the Gospel" than through a mission, and the rigors and length of an LDS mission were incompatable with such stardom.

For better or worse, in the '60's and 70's such Mormon stars at BYU and Utah as Dich Nemelka, Kresimir Cosic, Ken Gardner, Jeff Judkins, Doug Terry, Fred Roberts, Scott Runia, Danny Ainge, Greg Kite, Danny Vranes and Tom Chambers didn't go on missions. The persistant failure of BYU stars to go on a Mission effectively insulated Utah players from the extreme pressure that their families, Church authorities, girlfriends and others always bring to bear on young Mormon men to go on a Mission.

In the early 1980's Devin Durrant, a McDonald's All-American (and MVP of the Louisville Derby Classic), broke this cartel of sorts, going on a mission after a brilliant freshman season that arguably was as good as or better than accomplished by any native Utahn in history. He returned to become an All-American and one of the leading scorers in the nation by his senior season. But he was an NBA bust.

Michael Smith, Shawn Bradley, Josh Grant, Alex Jensen, the Johnsens, and others have followed in Durrant's pioneering footsteps. So far, nobody who went on a mission has succeeded in the NBA. Smith and Bradley were top 5 picks. With the breach of the cartel, the pressure on young Mormon star hoopsters to go on missions has become seemingly unbearable. Meanwhile, none of those applying the pressure ever had as much to lose by going on a mission (if indeed they went)as have young basketball stars.

The pressure probably is most acute for Mormons at Utah because of the guilt trip already laid on them because they rejected BYU. If anything, Utah coaches must add to the pressure because if any LDS player failed to go in this era, it could mean the death knell for future recruiting of Mormon hoop stars. At the same time, BYU coaches and administrators continue to trumpet BYU sports teams as an important "missionary tool."

Thus, I propose reestablishment of the old cartel in the best interests of all concerned. This will eliminate Majerus' perceived scholarship advantage derived from Missions. However, for obvious reasons this must start at BYU, much as it was necessary for Nixon (an old Communist hard liner) to initiate normalization of relations with Communist China.

I enjoyed your post. You make a lot of good points. Yes, Tom Chambers is LDS. At least he was while attending the U. He lived for a time with his relatives in the area of 1900 East and 4100 South. This was my LDS ward at the time and Tom would attend church from time to time. His uncle or who ever he lived with at the time was an LDS seminary teacher at Highland High School.

As for returning to the old ways, I believe that your last paragraph sums it up best in suggesting that it must be in the best interests of all concerned. For the young men involved that best interest is to serve a mission. Here's why:

1. The maturity and experience gained from a two year mission cannot be gained anywhere else.

2. The likelyhood of making the NBA or NFL under any circumstance is so remote that passing up a two year mission experience is not worth it.

3. Almost all Mormon women want to marry a returned missionary.

4. An active Mormon father will always be asked by his children why he did or did not serve a mission.

5. Later in life, activity in the church becomes more meaningful and if the man is called to be a Bishop, Stake President, or other local leadership position, the fact that he served a full time mission will always serve him better, although it is not a requirement to serve a mission in order to be called to leadership.

6. Most men that I know in the church who have not served a mission end up regretting it.

I too find the above posts intersting. Here are my questions:
1) Why has it been so difficult for "star" players who are returned missionaries, to break it into the NFL or NBA? Let's take Alex Jensen as a possible example... Although he had 2 years without BBall, wouldn't you agree he also gained maturity, perspective, and a more intense passion for the game. I would think those are traits that will only strengthen his resume for the next level? I would contend that it is just down right difficult for any player regardless of religious or life experience to make it in the NFL or NBA. The probability is against anyone making it at that level.
2) Does Alex Jensen have a desire to eventually go pro? And does he have the game to do so? My novice opinion is of course... but what do y'all think?
3) Did Steve Young serve on a mission? And if not, with his family history and aspirations after football, why not?

Just curious?

Go Utes!

: I too find the above posts intersting. Here are my questions:

I'll try to answer from what I know.

1)
: Why has it been so difficult for "star" players who
: are returned missionaries, to break it into the NFL or NBA?
: Let's take Alex Jensen as a possible example... Although he had
: 2 years without BBall, wouldn't you agree he also gained
: maturity, perspective, and a more intense passion for the game.
: I would think those are traits that will only strengthen his
: resume for the next level? I would contend that it is just down
: right difficult for any player regardless of religious or life
: experience to make it in the NFL or NBA. The probability is
: against anyone making it at that level.

Actually, I think some returned missionaries have been successful in the NFL. I don't know any names off-hand, but I think many of the BYU linemen who went on to NFL careers went on missions. A mission probably helped these guys because it gave them two extra years of bulk. One case I am familliar with is Greg Clark. He is a returned missionary who now plays TE for the 49ers. He went to Ricks out of high school and then went on a mission. He came home really bulked up and finished his college career at Stanford.

The NBA is a different story. I'm not sure why returned missionaries haven't been successful there. I think some of it has to do with the need to be both quick and strong in that leauge. The human body tends to lose quickness with age, and you lose two of your prime years by serving a mission. I think to really analyze this situation you have to look at individual cases. The only returned missionaries I can think of that played in the NBA are Devin Durrant, Michael Smith, Josh Grant and Shawn Bradley. All of these guys were/are pretty skinny and had a difficult time bulking up. I'm not sure why Durrant and Smith didn't make it. Grant was injurred after his junior year and was never really the same after. We all know about Bradley. Not strong enough to play inside, not quick enough to play outside. No work ethic. I'm not sure you can say going on a mission is the reason they didn't succeed in the NBA.

: 2) Does Alex Jensen have a desire to eventually go pro? And does he
: have the game to do so? My novice opinion is of course... but
: what do y'all think?

I'm sure Alex wants to play in the NBA - what college player doesn't? If Alex does play in the NBA, it will be as a role player. There are guys who have made a great career doing this (Kurt Rambis, Marc Ivaroni, Dennis Rodman, Adam Keefe, Fred Roberts, etc.) but I think some of that has to do with getting on the right team. The Clippers don't need a role player, but if Alex can land a shot with a contending team like the Jazz, Lakers, Pacers, etc., he could give them 10-25 minutes of great defense, rebounding, pick setting, etc. every night. He can also hit the outside shot if left open. I think he has a good chance to play at the next level.

: 3) Did Steve Young serve on a mission? And if not, with his family
: history and aspirations after football, why not?

Steve Young did not serve a mission. Neither did any of the other "great BYU quarterbacks" who were LDS. I think they all fell under the old standard of letting your athletic career be your mission. Interestingly, Steve Young now says that not serving a mission is his greatest regret. Apparently, he was instrumental in convincing Britton Johnsen to go on a mission.

Last modified .