1. Olivia Moultrie, soccer - At 15, Moultrie became the youngest player ever in the National Women’s Soccer League. She plays for the Portland Thorns. 

2. Eileen Gu, freestyle skiing - Gu went pro at 16. She gets paid to represent brands and compete in events like the X Games. 

3. Axel Kei, soccer - In 2022, the Real Salt Lake player became the youngest person to sign with Major League Soccer. He was 14.

1. Olivia Moultrie, soccer - At 15, Moultrie became the youngest player ever in the National Women’s Soccer League. She plays for the Portland Thorns. 

2. Eileen Gu, freestyle skiing - Gu went pro at 16. She gets paid to represent brands and compete in events like the X Games. 

3. Axel Kei, soccer - In 2022, the Real Salt Lake player became the youngest person to sign with Major League Soccer. He was 14.

1. Olivia Moultrie, soccer - At 15, Moultrie became the youngest player ever in the National Women’s Soccer League. She plays for the Portland Thorns. 

2. Eileen Gu, freestyle skiing - Gu went pro at 16. She gets paid to represent brands and compete in events like the X Games. 

3. Axel Kei, soccer - In 2022, the Real Salt Lake player became the youngest person to sign with Major League Soccer. He was 14.

    Pro athletes are paid to play a sport. They might also earn money from companies like Nike or Gatorade. 

    Most pro leagues have rules about how old athletes must be. Players in the National Football League (NFL) need to be out of high school for at least three years. In the NBA, players must be at least 19. Some leagues have younger athletes. 

    In the past, many athletes played on college teams before going pro. College athletes aren’t paid to play. But they can make money in other ways. They can put their names on products. They can appear in ads. But very few student athletes get big endorsement deals. 

    OTE pays its athletes. They get at least $100,000 a year. Will this chance cause more players to skip college on their way to the NBA?  

    When you’re a pro athlete, you are paid to play a sport. You might also earn money from companies like Nike or Gatorade. 

    Most professional leagues have rules about how old athletes must be. National Football League (NFL) players need to be at least three years out of high school, NBA players must be at least 19, and some leagues accept even younger athletes. 

    In the past, most young, talented athletes competed for college teams before turning pro. Although college athletes aren’t paid to play, they are allowed to make money in other ways. They can put their names on products, and they can also appear in ads. However, very few student athletes land big endorsement deals. 

    OTE, on the other hand, pays its athletes at least $100,000 a year to play ball. Will more players be tempted to skip college on their way to the NBA? 

    Going pro might make sense for some teen athletes. Being an athlete often isn’t cheap. Some families spend thousands of dollars a year. They pay for equipment, coaching, and travel. Earning money to play can help teens afford to follow their dreams. 

    But these young pros face a lot of pressure to do well. The intense training can also hurt young bodies. Every year, kids and teens get millions of sports injuries. Pros focus on one sport. That can increase the chance of injury. And just one injury can end a career.

    And what about just being a kid? Bryson is now 18. He gave up high school experiences like prom and class trips. But the 6’2” point guard doesn’t mind. 

    “I never feel like I’m missing out on stuff,” he says. “I’m just getting ahead.”

    It’s understandable that someone might decide to go pro as a teen. Often, being a young athlete isn’t cheap. Some families spend thousands of dollars a year on equipment, coaching, and travel. Earning money to play can help teens afford to follow their dreams. 

    But teenagers who go pro face a lot of pressure to perform well. In addition, the intense training can be harmful to young bodies. Every year, kids and teens get millions of sports injuries. Focusing on just one sport, as professionals do, can increase the chance of injury—and just one injury can end a career.

    Going pro early can also mean losing the chance to just be a kid. Bryson, who is now 18, gave up prom, class trips, and other typical high school experiences. But the 6’2” point guard sees it differently. 

    “I never feel like I’m missing out on stuff,” Bryson says. “I’m just getting ahead.”

So what is Bryson’s life like? He shares an apartment with two other OTE players. A typical day starts with a quick workout at home. After breakfast, he goes to school for three hours. Then it’s time for practice. After that, he goes to the gym until at least 5 p.m.  

Bryson can enter the NBA draft in 2024. But there’s no guarantee he’ll be chosen. This year, 149 top players entered the draft. NBA teams picked only 58 of them.

Still, he’s glad he turned pro. “This is my dream,” he says. 

    So what’s life like for Bryson at OTE? 

    He shares an apartment with two other OTE players. A typical day begins with a quick 6 a.m. workout at home. After breakfast, he attends classes for three hours, and then it’s time for practice. Following practice, Bryson usually hits the gym again until at least 5 p.m.  

    Will all the hard work pay off? Bryson can enter the NBA draft in 2024, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be chosen. Of the 149 top players who entered the draft this year, NBA teams picked only 58.

    Still, he is happy he turned pro. “I’m where I’m supposed to be,” he says. “This is my dream.”