It just doesnt matter! In USA , the professional institutions dont take part in the development of their young players, so the Universities decided to do that job. In this system, The study and sport become unified, they are altogether in the same enviroment. Afterwords it became immensely lucrative and corrupt, but that is a whole other discussion... In Europe, SA and Asia; the professional sport institution that provides the development of young players. They usually live in their facilities, have to maintain good grades (sometimes have to go to specific schools that are partners with the clubs), have to visit their families regularly, etc. The two systems exist because of ONE huge difference. In American Sports, the players can not choose the teams they go. That is why there are drafts, the teams choose the players and they simply accept it (of course there are rules and exceptions). They dont have fees, their trade and signing rules are more restrict (one of the main reasons they dont have gigantic debts) and the players dont have much option, although the players that are chosen first have guaranteed the highest wages. In the Rest of the World, the players are like material/possession of the clubs, they have to buy it from one another. This makes it impossible to have drafts for a 20-23 year old player (imagine Chelsea, ManCity and RM battling for Luck or RG3). It wouldnt work, so instead to let Universities take the risk to accept possible future stars, the clubs do it. It makes the fight for players less intense, since they are gambling with youngsters. With that scenario in mind, it makes sense why European Clubs have youth teams and USA Franchises draft from Universities. At a very, very superficial look, makes no difference, players in both systems are well involved with sports, socail and academic responsabilities.