If college athletes have a good chance at success in the professional arena, they should take the opportunity to advance their careers, even if that means leaving college without a degree.

Jason Richardson announced Tuesday he would enter the NBA Draft. Zach Randolph followed Wednesday, saying he will forego his three remaining years of college to go pro.

Richardson and Randolph are the first MSU basketball players to leave college early in favor of the NBA since Earvin “Magic” Johnson did so in 1979.

College is a stepping stone toward reaching a dream. For many people, reaching their dream requires a degree; however, for some talented athletes, completing their college education may not be necessary. They have the chance to reach their goal and have every reason to take advantage.

Athletes have a small window of opportunity in which to compete. If players choose to stay despite a good chance of getting drafted, they could subject themselves to injuries that could ruin their chances for a professional career entirely.

While a college education is important, it is not necessarily a part of these athletes’ dreams. They have immense talent and were recruited to come to the university to play the game. Basketball is what they are good at, and they should do what they can to insure it is what they do as a career.

These players also have the opportunity to finish their degrees at a later time. The money they make with NBA contracts will more than cover the cost of tuition and supplies. If they truly want to earn a college degree, they have the opportunity to do so after their basketball careers are over.

Many people - athletes and nonathletes alike - have returned to college for a degree after a successful career. Some even take the opportunity to earn a degree while at another job; basketball is no exception.

Students attend colleges to expand their career possibilities. Part of student athletes’ experience is to expand their opportunities in their sport as well as in a career field. Opportunities in professional sports, when they arise, do not stick around for long - those who get them should take them.

Randolph and Richardson also have families to support. Both are fathers and must consider ways to best support their children. Remaining in college may not be the best option for them and their families.

Losing players is never a good thing for a team, but the Spartans will not be mortally wounded by these players’ departure. Coach Tom Izzo’s recruiting skills, while sometimes self-destructing because he recruits such excellent players, will continue to feed the team with talent for years to come. If Izzo can find players who are ready for the NBA after a season or two of college play, he can find more talented players.

College is a time of opportunity - those who get the opportunity to have a successful career in professional sports should take it.

For many student-athletes, playing professional sports is a dream. Those who can live that dream have no reason not to go for it.