But you don’t ever hear about college baseball, hockey, etc.
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Almost all NFL players are American born and are not eligible to be drafted until they are three years removed from high school. They basically all have to go to college to play on their way to the NFL.
About 80% of NBA also American-born and are not eligible to be drafted until they are at least 1 year removed from high school. So the bulk of them also play in American colleges, at least for one year.
70% of MLB players are American-born, but they are eligible to be drafted right out of high school. If they go to a 4-year college, they have to wait at least 3 years. If they go to a Junior or community college they can enter the draft whenever they want.
Only 30% of NHL players are American-born and they can get drafted out of high school.
So essentially of the big 4 sports in the US, the future pros of football and basketball play at American colleges and the future pros of hockey and baseball generally don’t. Also football and basketball are more popular than baseball and hockey.
Individual sport athletes (like golf, tennis, track, etc) can be professionals whenever they choose
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