Bilas Says NIL Compensation Has Improved College Basketball Play
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas stated that college basketball has reached its highest level because of Name, Image and Likeness compensation. Bilas, a former Duke player now 62, said the rules allow athletes to earn money and remain in school longer than before.
Players are staying longer because they receive compensation while continuing their education, Bilas said. He noted that this extended service has produced a higher standard of play across teams.
Bilas added that talent has spread more evenly. He pointed to Indiana's national championship in the NIL era as evidence that programs outside traditional powers can now compete successfully.
Bilas also said athletes still receive less than their full market value. He contrasted the open movement of coaches with restrictions placed on players, noting that fans rarely object when coaches change schools.
