In a world where flashy cars and star-studded entourages trump the prospect of studying for a geology final or heading to University Village, more and more NCAA basketball players have been jumping ship and heading into the NBA before their college careers are over.

In the last few years, the trend of college players leaving their teams before graduation has increased tremendously. Gone are the days where young teams like Michigan’s “Fab Five” stick together to conquer multiple Final Fours. Instead, many players abide by the “one and done” mentality and dash to the NBA before Dick Vitale can say “Hey, baby!  Are you serious?”

This year, high profile underclassmen such as Arizona’s Derrick Williams, Kansas’ Josh Selby, and Duke’s Kyrie Irving plan to follow the trend and enter the NBA draft.  Irving and Selby competed as freshmen during the 2010-11 season. Williams competed as a sophomore.

The three players will likely be taken high in this year’s NBA draft. They join NCAA champion Kemba Walker, Player of the Year Jimmer Fredette, Butler’s Shelvin Mack and Kansas twins Marcus and Markieff Morris as highly regarded first round prospects.

While these high profile underclassmen are signing their way into the big leagues, other would-be stars are choosing to stick around campus.

Ohio State’s freshman phenom Jared Sullinger shocked fans with his decision to return for his sophomore season rather than enter this year’s draft. After averaging 17.2 points per game and leading the Buckeyes to a No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, many thought Sullinger was sure to be a top 5 draft pick.

Along with Sullinger, Baylor’s freshman breakout center Perry Jones announced earlier this month that he intended to return for next year’s season.

Jones was expected to be Baylor’s first player to head straight to the NBA after one season. He sat out this year’s Big 12 Tournament after it was discovered his mother had accepted a loan from an AAU coach while Jones was still in high school. 

With Jones’ recent decision, Baylor may well find itself on top of the Big 12 next year.

North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes was another potential draft pick who chose to stay in school – he announced last week that he’ll be returning to UNC next season. He’ll join teammates John Henson and Tyler Zeller, along with a set of promising recruits.

So, what’s keeping some of the NCAA’s hottest players in school?

College basketball’s closest ally right now is the potential NBA lockout, which would affect the 2011-12 season. If the disputes between the NBA and the National Basketball Player’s Association do not get resolved a lockout is imminent.

UCLA Coach Ben Howland, for one, thinks there will be a shortened NBA season next year.

“This is going to be a serious lockout,” Howland said. “They will not be playing, in my opinion, next December and maybe even January…You’re not even going to get paid next year for half the year.”

With the NBA season in doubt, this year’s draft picks will be in limbo until the dispute is settled. Thus, some players have returned to their college teams to continue their education and further develop their skills.

The NCAA offers a unique opportunity for future professional athletes. It gives them the skills on and off the court that are necessary for a successful future. Most importantly, the NCAA provides the chance for players to gain the maturity needed to play at a higher level.

Although missing out on the potential to sign multi-million dollar contracts, these student athletes will instead have the opportunity to play high profile basketball while building team loyalty and entertaining college fans nationwide.

Barnes will rejoin the North Carolina Tar Heels for what is being predicted as a stellar season. In addition to Barnes, Zeller and Henson, the Heels also return starters Kendall Marshall and Dexter Strickland and add McDonald’s All-Americans James McAdoo and P.J. Hairston.

Barnes will also have the chance to benefit from an extra year under Roy Williams as he continues to hone his skills and improve as a player.

He’ll also get the opportunity to act as team leader next season – UNC will be a favorite come March, giving Barnes plenty of experience playing under pressure in the NCAA Tournament.

Sullinger and Jones will also have the opportunity to further prove themselves and their teams as strong contenders for next year’s NCAA Tournament field.

Choosing to stay in school rather than race into an unsettled NBA scenario shows the maturity and character of these athletes. The added year of college play will only benefit their future draft potential. 

Their decision obviously benefits the NCAA as well. With Sullinger, Jones and Barnes in the mix (not to mention the underclassmen returning to Texas), Ohio State, Baylor and UNC will be more cohesive, more talented teams, increasing not only the profile of those individual schools but the profile of college basketball as a whole.

It’s a win-win for everyone in college hoops. More importantly, it is a win for the student athletes who have chosen to take advantage of a system that can make their bright future even brighter.

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Reach Jessica Benson by email.