Jeremy Tyler (HS Jr) to play in Europe next year

[musubi]

Louisville commit Jeremy Tyler out of San Diego (one of the top center prospects in next year's class) is dropping out of high school to play in Europe next season. His plan is to play overseas two years and then enter the NBA Draft in 2011.

This is surprising to me. The leaving high school early is certainly a new wrinkle to the earlier Brandon Jennings scenario. Very interesting. I think he'll definitely get better development next year as a pro than he would in high school. He'll be playing against much better competition, receiving much better training and coaching. If he can handle the cross-cultural stuff, I think this is smart move basketball-wise and, I guess, financially. But I can't imagine a 16-17 year old really benefiting from this in any other way: socially, emotional maturity, intellectually.


ESPN

 

[hornpharmd]

Makes sense to me. We don't have any kind of developmental league here in the states yet.

 

[GHoward]

Is there more to this story? Was he in jeopardy of failing out of HS? Does his family just need any bit of money it can get?
I also think it's a good idea. If it turns out he sucks, at least an NBA team won't spend a draft pick and over a million dollars to find out he sucks.

 

[bularry]

you really think he's going to get good coaching and development in a foreign league? those leagues are meat grinders. we'll see how he does.

 

[TexanWolv]

Exactly, Bul....If these kids paid more attention to how soccer clubs are run they would understand this. You either perform immediately or you can find yourself becoming a nobody quickly. I really disliked his comment about how guys go to college to learn other stuff...Not become better at basketball. First of all college basketball has improved every single players game that ever played it....and secondly I think its pretty pathetic that he is saying he has no interest in taking advantage of all the other things college can give you.

 

[musubi]

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[alden]

Seems like a good career decision. Also, I can't imagine how you wouldn't develop "socially, emotional maturity, intellectually" by playing a couple of years in Europe. It's not like a year of most high schools is worth much in that department.

 

[bevocbs]

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[2003TexasGrad]

This bothers me, but I suppose he can always come back and get his GED later.......

 

[musubi]

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[Ignatius]

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[Texas Wahoo]

The NBA started this when they decided to make a minimum age limit to play in their league. I think this is exactly what the NBA wants anyway - a developmental league they don't have to pay for. This would be happening a lot if there was a competitive football league that high school kids could go to and make a lot of money.