#1 on the list above EVERYTHING else - and why should it be?

The NCAA and schools have 'used' student-athletes for decades, while the student-athletes have also 'used' the schools (to a slightly lesser degree). You can argue about the split and whether it's been completely fair, but it's been a reciprocal relationship. Players owe the schools absolutely nothing.

Now, as far as their teammates/friends, that's different to me. Again though, all this type of decision says for sure is that the player prioritizes his perceived well-being and that of his family ahead of contributing to the team this year. If you asked every other player on the team if they'd do the same thing, I would imagine you'd get plenty who would say they would.

There isn't a direct parallel for most of us, but I don't see it as being entirely different from the average person changing jobs. I care about my colleagues and the institution I work for, but I wouldn't put myself and my family in a "worse" situation to stay there if I knew I was already leaving relatively soon anyway.