Sharing an observation, something it took me a long time to figure out as my kid was coming up through the ranks.

When she/me/we first ever thought about the opportunity to play in college, the general language was around "D1". Wouldn't it be incredible to play D1? Imagine being able to play D1! It's so rare and unique to play D1!

As time went on, I realized that the D1 landscape as diverse as Chicago's 50 wards.

Just recently I saw a D1 program advertising on Twitter for new students on campus to come try out for their team. The only requirement was "must have played HS ball."

I also know from a reliable source that a certain national program starts off their players at $20+k a year of cash in hand, above their scholarship. That team also flys on charter jets.

Even in that "upper crust" of the college game - the ~300 D1 programs - there is the equivalent dynamics of the Back-of-the-Yards and Gold Coast neighborhoods.

It's a big and small world...