The problem that I have with the player/family/parents being responsible for their own academic destiny is that quite often those people don't have the skills necessary to be responsible. Even the top academic students need guidance as to what courses they should take and when they should take the courses. The parents/family members many times have never been to college much less have a degree of any type and they are of no help to the student/athlete. IMO, it is the responsibility of the school, athletic department and coaching staff to make sure the student/athlete is taking the required course load to receive their associates degree in two years. If the player graduates from a JC in two years they will have many more opportuities to move onto a four year school. If someone stays at a JC for three years and has excellent grades it becomes very difficult to transfer to a D1 school due to the rule about transferable hours towards a degree.