I don't know why there's such a heated debate about this. Jennings' situation is what it is: another option for young players. Going to college isn't for everyone, playing overseas is not for everyone. If Jennings feels there is a good opportunity in Europe to make money and boost his draft stock, he should try it out. We don't know how things would have turned out for him at Arizona. If he ends up being a lotto pick next year anyway, then he's proven a lot of doubters wrong and likely made money in the process. Why shackle him to the college system where he's guaranteed to make nothing? Why put up the farce of him being a "student-athlete"? I've wanted the NBDL to take off and become a legitimate rival to the NCAA for young talent, but it just hasn't happened. If European teams can start paying young prospects prospects for their services, all the more power to them.
Exactly. Why on Earth are some so ticked off by this? All he is doing is exactly what is called the American way.
You've got to understand that there are a lot of college basketball fans who would not like to see major prospects go to inaccessible or obscure markets like the NBDL or Euroleague. The one year rule has already been great for the NCAA. Last year's fantastic freshman class would have all gone pro. If they could have all gone overseas or straight to the NBA, college basketball would have suffered greatly.
I agree with this and most of the above post. This debate has clearly deviated from just a basketball discussion. As I posted earlier, some people who are posting on this thread have a personal bias against Jennings. One wished he "failed miserably" and others clearly have something against the guy. The main question that lingers in my mind is why some people are so bothered by this decision. It's his life and his decision. If it costs him then he is the only one hurt by it. If it works out then he as well as others will have another option in the future. Why not wish him the best? There is no indication that he's a bad person or a bad kid. He has not caused any trouble from anything I've read.
what i'm looking forward to his how scouts evaluate him based on his play there......after a couple disappointments ie skita, Euro's dont get the respect they used to coming into the draft......wonder if playing well in Europe results in scouts prop his stock up or down.
If I remember right Skita was like the 9th or 10th man on the rotation of his Euro club before he was drafted. Just another stupid draft decision.
College isn't for everyone. You aren't stupid if you choose not to go. You aren't a saint either even if you do choose to go. Yes, there is a world outside the US. I think he can gain lots from going overseas. Honestly, there are more chances of him getting in trouble with the college crowd than going to play overseas. This will force him to grow up, as hes out in the real world on his own. His game will improve by playing against the Pros over there.
They do if the press gets ahold of this story and runs with it. Then all eyes will be on this kid and you can bet that the press over there is salivating over this story. How many people over here even knew who Brandon Jennings was before this story broke about going to Europe? I'll be honest, once in a while I'll read Street and Smith's prep high school report but I can't say I remember a whole lot of it. Jennings I may have glossed over but honestly I sure didn't know who this kid was. It'll be the same in Europe. If the hype machine is in full power, there will be cameras and papparazzi following this kid all year. Sorta like a Yao Ming situation as when he first arrived in the USA.
Reports are that Jennings has a 2 year contract offer, with the 2nd year being a player option from the EUROLEAGUE club Lottomatica Roma. That's one of the biggest Italian sides there is and was a top 16 Euroleague club last year. Roko Ukic was their starting point guard last year, but a lot of reports speculated that he will leave the team and sign with the Toronto Raptors later this summer after they traded TJ Ford. So if that's true then Roma's starting PG from last year would be leaving the team. So their would actually be a potential open spot on this club at PG. Jennings would be the backup point guard behind Ibrahim Jaaber (who played college ball at Penn) and Jennings would probably be expected to play about 8-10 minutes a game off the bench. Also apparently Jennings has a $700,000 to $1,000,000 shoe contract lined up with Nike's Italian division. Apparently he also has offers from some other Italian clubs and also from some Spanish clubs. Interesting.
I can't seem to edit posts so I should something I forgot. Allan ray who used to play with Celtics is also on Roma. So maybe Roma would intend to use Jennings as the 3rd string point guard or maybe just sue him in the Italy league and not the Euroleague. I'm not sure. Because last year Allan Ray played as a combo guard for them.
I knew a lot about him but I follow basketball closely. Since the Kingwood classic is down here plus another national tourney(Melo played in it his senior year and so did Perkins) I follow prep basketball. It's actually worth checking out. I've seen Melo, LBJ, Mayo ,ect.......
Jennings signed with an Italian team...Pallacanestro Virtus Roma http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3491998&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
That's a big Euroleague club. They also have Allan Ray and Ibrahim Jaaber so maybe Jennings will be 3rd string PG.
And so it begins......if he has success watch more go......and I don't think the NBA minds at all....... The NCAA will scream bloody murder but Stern will whip out his "What me worry" look.......and put his hands up... DD
Short of requiring a college degree to play in the NBA, there's nothing Stern could do about it anyway. People want to get paid.
if he went to europe to be a 3rd string point guard, this will end badly for him. He would have been a top 10 pick after one year at arizona so he better get a lot of playing time to maintain his high draft stock or else he will lose money in the long run.
Ricky Rubio is a backup PG in Europe. In fact he was a backup PG in the 2nd level of Europe the division LOWER than the Euroleague. It's not affecting his draft status any according to all the mocks.
the media fanfare is amazing CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP goodbye brandon jennings. Should have made the 530 Yeah NBAdraft.net's mock draft done 12 months beforehand is known for its spot on accuracy.
