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17 year old dropping out of High school to pursue pro bball career in Europe

Blackout

By Blackout
in Other Sports

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JohnnyHector

JohnnyHector

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He should view Brandon Jennings as a cautionary tale. The kid couldn't qualify academically at Arizona after signing there, so he signed a pro contract in Italy and has struggled playing the point. Now, he's still going to be a 1st Rd pick, but not a potential top-5, as he would've been had he performed as a freshman at Arizona.

As a big man, Tyler may be in for a rude awakening as a boy playing among men.

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derp

derp

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He should view Brandon Jennings as a cautionary tale. The kid couldn't qualify academically at Arizona after signing there, so he signed a pro contract in Italy and has struggled playing the point. Now, he's still going to be a 1st Rd pick, but not a potential top-5, as he would've been had he performed as a freshman at Arizona.

As a big man, Tyler may be in for a rude awakening as a boy playing among men.

I think Jennings actually has a shot to be a very high first round pick still. He's experienced professional basketball, which even in Europe is very different from college basketball in the pros. NBA people know he's playing against men, and much tougher competition than he would in college. Plus supposedly he's generally the best player on the floor when he gets time, some magazine article had a great piece about the game where he played Rubio.

It's a strange decision for Tyler, particularly skipping the final year of high school, but for what he wants it's probably a good move. He wants to play in the NBA and feels Europe will prepare him better for the league, which playing against grown men at a high level and doing so professionally certainly will. I believe he said that some people go to college for the experience and he's just not interested in that, so I actually think the fact that he's focused enough on basketball to give up on some of the more fun years of his life shows how much he really wants to improve and how dedicated he is to the game. Not sure I agree with it or that I would skip senior year of HS and college to play professional basketball in Europe (assuming I was actually good at basketball), but based on what he says it seems like the best decision for him.

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JohnnyHector

JohnnyHector

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I think Jennings actually has a shot to be a very high first round pick still. He's experienced professional basketball, which even in Europe is very different from college basketball in the pros. NBA people know he's playing against men, and much tougher competition than he would in college. Plus supposedly he's generally the best player on the floor when he gets time, some magazine article had a great piece about the game where he played Rubio.

The problem for Jennings is that, last I read, he was shooting somewhere around 37% from the floor. His style does not translate to the European half court offense, which has been hurting his production. I'm not saying that Jennings isn't going to be a high pick, as he could very easily be in the lottery, but there's almost no shot of him going in the top-5 at this point IMO.

To me, there's not enough upside in this for Tyler aside from getting paid immediately (Jennings is making over $1M this year) and not having to go to school anymore. From a basketball standpoint, he was practically a lock to be a top-5 pick (if not #1 overall) in 2011 if he did the year at Louisville, where he could dominate. If he goes to Europe and gets limited run and/or turns in a mediocre performance, he might be more NBA-ready, but may not be picked as high and lose out on some cash in the process.

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PFSIKH

PFSIKH

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this is a mistake IMO. wait the two years. At least finish out high school. Then make this decision.

Why? This kid has potential to earn a hell of a lot more then he would finishing HS and possibly risking injury.

He should view Brandon Jennings as a cautionary tale. The kid couldn't qualify academically at Arizona after signing there, so he signed a pro contract in Italy and has struggled playing the point. Now, he's still going to be a 1st Rd pick, but not a potential top-5, as he would've been had he performed as a freshman at Arizona.

As a big man, Tyler may be in for a rude awakening as a boy playing among men.

Huh? What is your point?

If he could not qualify, he could not play. Which means he cannot enhance his draft status. Which means he probably goes to a 'school' to improve his education...err get around the one year wait and goes to the draft, but makes no money and is not a guarantee to be drafted high anyways.

I think Jennings actually has a shot to be a very high first round pick still. He's experienced professional basketball, which even in Europe is very different from college basketball in the pros. NBA people know he's playing against men, and much tougher competition than he would in college. Plus supposedly he's generally the best player on the floor when he gets time, some magazine article had a great piece about the game where he played Rubio.

It's a strange decision for Tyler, particularly skipping the final year of high school, but for what he wants it's probably a good move. He wants to play in the NBA and feels Europe will prepare him better for the league, which playing against grown men at a high level and doing so professionally certainly will. I believe he said that some people go to college for the experience and he's just not interested in that, so I actually think the fact that he's focused enough on basketball to give up on some of the more fun years of his life shows how much he really wants to improve and how dedicated he is to the game. Not sure I agree with it or that I would skip senior year of HS and college to play professional basketball in Europe (assuming I was actually good at basketball), but based on what he says it seems like the best decision for him.

I like the move.

He has probably maximized his talents at the HS level. So staying another year is not going to do anything for him.

He can line his pockets now, versus waiting a few years while risk of injury looms. Plus he is not going to be lining the pockets of the NCAA.

He can concentrate full time on being a basketball player and not masquerading as a student for two more years.

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derp

derp

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The problem for Jennings is that, last I read, he was shooting somewhere around 37% from the floor. His style does not translate to the European half court offense, which has been hurting his production. I'm not saying that Jennings isn't going to be a high pick, as he could very easily be in the lottery, but there's almost no shot of him going in the top-5 at this point IMO.

To me, there's not enough upside in this for Tyler aside from getting paid immediately (Jennings is making over $1M this year) and not having to go to school anymore. From a basketball standpoint, he was practically a lock to be a top-5 pick (if not #1 overall) in 2011 if he did the year at Louisville, where he could dominate. If he goes to Europe and gets limited run and/or turns in a mediocre performance, he might be more NBA-ready, but may not be picked as high and lose out on some cash in the process.

I'm pretty sure if people like you and I understand that he's not a good fit for the half-court offense in Europe, NBA execs will understand it as well. If he really wows teams in workouts, which is absolutely possible, he could definitely work his way back into the top 5 range IMO.

And if Tyler's looking at this from more than a financial standpoint, this could be better for his game in the long-run. Which means more cash in the long-run. Now he could absolutely fizzle out, but if this is what he wants to do and he's going to work his ass off for it, more power to him.

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JohnnyHector

JohnnyHector

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Huh? What is your point?

If he could not qualify, he could not play. Which means he cannot enhance his draft status. Which means he probably goes to a 'school' to improve his education...err get around the one year wait and goes to the draft, but makes no money and is not a guarantee to be drafted high anyways.

Jennings really had no other choice, so I'm not questioning his move to play in Europe. I was only relating to his situation, in that he didn't exactly light it up in Italy, and suggesting that Tyler may have been better off raising his draft stock by being a dominating college big man, rather than a possible role player in some European league.

I do agree with you in that it is a joke that these players are being forced to go to college for one year before they turn pro. If the NBA wants to do something, they should institute what I've seen suggested with the 3-year rule that the NFL has in place. It would reduce the team's financial risks in paying children that in most cases aren't ready to contribute at a high level Day One. And not that the NBA really cares, but it would also keep talent in the NCAA, making it a better product as well.

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JohnnyHector

JohnnyHector

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I'm pretty sure if people like you and I understand that he's not a good fit for the half-court offense in Europe, NBA execs will understand it as well. If he really wows teams in workouts, which is absolutely possible, he could definitely work his way back into the top 5 range IMO.

It's entirely possible, I agree. My point was that he would've had a better chance to cement himself in that draft spot if he was able to play college ball, where he would've been the focal point instead of a kid playing 18 minutes a game.

And if Tyler's looking at this from more than a financial standpoint, this could be better for his game in the long-run. Which means more cash in the long-run. Now he could absolutely fizzle out, but if this is what he wants to do and he's going to work his ass off for it, more power to him.

It very well could be that he's going there to work on his game, which could be great for his offensive fundamentals. However, he's going to need to show some humility, as he's not going to be the center (no pun intended) of attention that he would be Stateside.

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derp

derp

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It's entirely possible, I agree. My point was that he would've had a better chance to cement himself in that draft spot if he was able to play college ball, where he would've been the focal point instead of a kid playing 18 minutes a game.

It very well could be that he's going there to work on his game, which could be great for his offensive fundamentals. However, he's going to need to show some humility, as he's not going to be the center (no pun intended) of attention that he would be Stateside.

Right, I agree neither was or will be as productive in Europe as they would/could have been in college in the US. But it's probably better for their game to prepare them for the NBA. Really depends on your perspective, and what they want to do.

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Bugg

Bugg

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School isn't for some people, good for him.

At a loss why baseball, tennis, golf and hockey players can turn pro as teens and it's no big deal. Yet when basketball players do it everyone freaks out. It's probably a better exeperience than college money-wise.His earning potential as a pro basketball player is limited to no more than 10-15 years. Why should he give away up to 4 of those years for a college experience(as opposed to an education he can get on his own any time and expense if he really wants to do it). And why should the paying students' families subsidize his apprenticeship on a college campus. ESPN and CBS have a lot invested in March Madness and NCAA hoops. This guy is a lot more honest than some goofball who shows up for a year or 2 and never goes to class.

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Bugg

Bugg

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The NFL requires players to be 3 years removed from HS before they can enter the draft. What's your take on that?
Difference is an 18-year old physically could not compete in the NFL. The only college freshman who could have in my lifetime is may be Herschel Walker, and he wasn't a great NFL player. Alos there's no Europe or D Leagur for football.
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The NFL requires players to be 3 years removed from HS before they can enter the draft. What's your take on that?

The NFL is totally different, most 18 year old bodies arn't going to survive in the NFL with just High School experience.

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JohnnyHector

JohnnyHector

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Difference is an 18-year old physically could not compete in the NFL. The only college freshman who could have in my lifetime is may be Herschel Walker, and he wasn't a great NFL player. Alos there's no Europe or D Leagur for football.

I didn't say it would make sense... I was just curious if it was also a practice that is considered "un-American"...

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derp

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I didn't say it would make sense... I was just curious if it was also a practice that is considered "un-American"...

Nah it's more lets let those poor kids survive. The NBA's rule is more about money than anything else, there are plenty of high schoolers with pro ready bodies.

If you look at the weights of high school football players you'll see lots of defensive ends are around 220, 230. Tight ends are about the same size. Linebackers can be around 200, 210. They're just not physically ready for the league, whereas high school basketball players can be. Lance Stephenson, while I don't like his style of play very much, is physically ready to be an NBA player. It's not terribly uncommon.

Football is because the players just aren't nearly physically developed enough, NBA seems like the league tossing NCAA basketball a bone and helping them out a bit. Besides, it really screws with the recruiting process anyway, because teams have to determine whether or not they want a guy who is only going to be there for a year. Jay Wright at Villanova, for example, basically only recruits guys he thinks are going to stay for a bit. That's part of why Tyreke Evans went to Memphis, Jay told him that was where he should go if he wanted to be one and done.

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PFSIKH

PFSIKH

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At a loss why baseball, tennis, golf and hockey players can turn pro as teens and it's no big deal. Yet when basketball players do it everyone freaks out. It's probably a better exeperience than college money-wise.His earning potential as a pro basketball player is limited to no more than 10-15 years. Why should he give away up to 4 of those years for a college experience(as opposed to an education he can get on his own any time and expense if he really wants to do it). And why should the paying students' families subsidize his apprenticeship on a college campus. ESPN and CBS have a lot invested in March Madness and NCAA hoops. This guy is a lot more honest than some goofball who shows up for a year or 2 and never goes to class.

+1

The NFL requires players to be 3 years removed from HS before they can enter the draft. What's your take on that?

The players need those three years to 'bulk' up.

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