This is supposed to be a joyous moment.

For the young men honored by their inclusion in the Sporting News All-America team for 2017-18, it certainly is. SN’s team is among the ingredients for the official NCAA consensus squad, and we are proud to put forth this collection of 15 terrific players chosen by our panel of voters.

And still the composition of the team is another stark reminder of how this beloved sport continues to wrap itself in a wrestling match that is built mostly on disinformation, misinformation and lies.

Three of the five players chosen for the Sporting News first team are freshmen. Two arrived understanding they would play this season, and only this season, as collegians. Arizona coach Sean Miller told SN his freshman, Deandre Ayton, deserved to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski openly acknowledged his top freshman, Marvin Bagley, was on a path that would include being part of the NBA by this autumn.

So why is the commission empaneled by NCAA president Mark Emmert debating what the organization can or should do about the NBA's age-limit rule?

Here's what the commission’s members can do, and should: Stand up and applaud.

The three freshmen chosen for this year's Sporting News squad bring to 14 the total of freshmen to make the first team since the age limit was introduced, an average of more than one per year. Those who would say college basketball is diminished by their presence would have a lot of explaining to do about those numbers.

(All statistics through March 4.)