Basketball Prospect Leaving High School to Play in Europe

[Deleterious]

I'm not real sure where to put this. If a mod wants, feel free to move it to a better forum.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/sp...r=1&ref=sports

Basketball Prospect Leaving High School to Play in Europe

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By PETE THAMEL
Published: April 22, 2009

SAN DIEGO — Jeremy Tyler, a 6-foot-11 high school junior whom some consider the best American big man since Greg Oden, says he will be taking a new path to the N.B.A. He has left San Diego High School and said this week that he would skip his senior year to play professionally in Europe.

Tyler, 17, would become the first United States-born player to leave high school early to play professionally overseas. He is expected to return in two years, when he is projected to be a top pick, if not the No. 1 pick, in the 2011 N.B.A. draft.

Tyler, who had orally committed to play for Rick Pitino at Louisville, has yet to sign with an agent or a professional team. His likely destination is Spain, though teams from other European leagues have shown interest. A spokesman for Louisville said the university could not comment about Tyler.

“Nowadays people look to college for more off-the-court stuff versus being in the gym and getting better,” Tyler said. “If you’re really focused on getting better, you go play pro somewhere. Pro guys will get you way better than playing against college guys.”

His decision is perhaps the most important one since Kevin Garnett jumped straight to the N.B.A. from high school in 1995. Garnett was the No. 5 pick in the N.B.A. draft and ushered in a generation of preps-to-pros stars like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwight Howard. A minimum-age rule passed for the 2006 draft cut off that route, essentially forcing players to spend at least one year in college.

But Brandon Jennings, a point guard from Los Angeles, became the first player to graduate from high school, skip college and play professionally in Europe. (Whether Jennings would have qualified academically to play at Arizona, where he had signed a letter of intent, is unknown.) He is in his first season with Lottomatica Virtus Roma in Italy and is projected as a high pick in the N.B.A. draft in June.

Tyler took Jennings’s path and added a compelling twist, perhaps opening the door for other elite high school basketball players to follow.

Sonny Vaccaro, a former sneaker company executive, orchestrated Jennings’s move and has guided Tyler and his family through the process.

“It’s significant because it shows the curiosity for the American player just refusing to accept what he’s told he has to do,” Vaccaro said. “We’re getting closer to the European reality of a professional at a young age. Basically, Jeremy Tyler is saying, ‘Why do I have to go to high school?’ ”

Vaccaro said he was unsure how much money Tyler would make, though it will most likely be less than the $1.2 million Jennings made in a combination of salary and endorsements this season. Vaccaro said Tyler would make a six-figure salary, noting that the economic crisis in Europe could hurt his earnings.

Vaccaro made his name by signing Michael Jordan to Nike in the mid-1980s and has advised numerous elite players over the years. “I believe he’ll be a 10-time All-Star with his ability,” Vaccaro said of Tyler.

For now, Tyler said he was working out eight to nine hours a day at local gyms and schools and spending two and a half hours a day to get his high school diploma online. He said he had his “ups and downs” in the classroom but was on track to qualify academically to play in college.

Tyler said his game stagnated by playing high school basketball here and he was frustrated by the rules of the California Interscholastic Federation and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

He averaged 28.7 points during a tumultuous junior season in which his team went 15-11. Two of his coaches were fired in part because of their roles in trying to recruit three star players to complement Tyler. Kenny Roy, the former head coach, denied any wrongdoing.

But the three transfers were ruled ineligible, leaving Tyler the centerpiece of a team whose next biggest player was 6-2.

“It was boring and I wasn’t getting better,” Tyler said. “Each game was the same thing. I was getting triple-teamed and getting hacked. After each game I’d have scratches and bruises up and down my arms from getting triple-teamed. It just wasn’t for me.”

Spain is the most likely option for him because of the structure of its basketball league. Vaccaro said Tyler could shuttle between his professional team and its development squad for 18-year-olds. So if Tyler, who turns 18 in June, struggles early against professional men, he will be able to play and practice with the younger team.

Tyler, who was raised primarily by his father, James, and his uncle, Maurice, will move to Europe with his older brother, James. A rotation of relatives plans to visit. Tyler’s father said he had reservations at first about sending his son overseas, knowing there would be a strong reaction in the community.

“You know what? It’s just a job,” the elder James Tyler said. “He gets a chance to work the job of his dreams and have fun doing it. There’s kids leaving to go to Iraq at age 18. They took a job to serve their country. He’s going to play ball.”

Along the way, Tyler may just become a trailblazer for other high school basketball prodigies.

“This is what I want to do,” he said. “It will help me get better and grow up.”

[Buddha]

God speed big fella.

[Sparks4Ever]

Good for him. Seems like a wise move, although the one thing I'd worry about is getting enough PT.

[SpartanValor]

Originally Posted by Sparks4Ever

Good for him. Seems like a wise move, although the one thing I'd worry about is getting enough PT.

Yeah, thats what I was thinking. Sitting on the bench in Europe is definitely not better than playing in college. Even though I also don't buy the fact that playing internationally is going to help him better prepare for the NBA than college. I see only one international player getting drafted highly this year in the draft. He can't go up against a Blake Griffin if he's playing in the Serbian winter league.

[Mark The Shark]

I think this is much more honest than pretending to be a college student for a year and then jumping to the NBA. At least this way, he's getting paid.

I never have understood why we need to treat athleetes any differently than the 18-year-old who gets a job on the line with GM after high school. Not everybody is cut out for college.

[Buddha]

Originally Posted by Mark The Shark

I think this is much more honest than pretending to be a college student for a year and then jumping to the NBA. At least this way, he's getting paid.

I never have understood why we need to treat athleetes any differently than the 18-year-old who gets a job on the line with GM after high school. Not everybody is cut out for college.

I agree.

[NJ Jackal]

Originally Posted by Mark The Shark

I think this is much more honest than pretending to be a college student for a year and then jumping to the NBA. At least this way, he's getting paid.

I never have understood why we need to treat athleetes any differently than the 18-year-old who gets a job on the line with GM after high school. Not everybody is cut out for college.

Agree completely. Also, why encourage teens to go pro in tennis, golf, and baseball, but ban them in basketball?

[Todd]

Originally Posted by NJ Jackal

Agree completely. Also, why encourage teens to go pro in tennis, golf, and baseball, but ban them in basketball?

and Football.....agreed

[Tressel]

no way any 18 year old is playing in the NFL right out of college....in fact, I can't think of any player that could come in right out of high school and play in the NFL. they just aren't ready physically for the beating that will take place. I agree with the 3 year rule the NFL has

[lionstigersand...]

Originally Posted by Tressel=God

no way any 18 year old is playing in the NFL right out of college....in fact, I can't think of any player that could come in right out of high school and play in the NFL. they just aren't ready physically for the beating that will take place. I agree with the 3 year rule the NFL has

And the simple fact is that the overwhelming majority of 17 and 18 year olds aren't ready to play in the NBA either. The Lebrons and Garnetts are far more exception than rule. The NBA wants some college to simply get that extra year of maturation and development, as well as having a much cleaner evaluation in which to make a projection.

That said, I agree that for those rare exceptions, what is the point in delaying the inevitable.

[Dirk Diggler]

I agree that no kid would be ready, but who is the NFL or NBA to say that. Give the kids a chance, just like any profession. They are probably not ready for many professions, but they still CAN work if they are qualified.

I'm shocked with the NBDL that there is still a 1 year wait after high school for the NBA, but the NFL just uses college as a feeder system, so I get why they have the wait. If the other sports mentioned in this thread didn't have feeder systems, then there would probably be a college requirement for them as well.

[lionstigersand...]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

I agree that no kid would be ready, but who is the NFL or NBA to say that. Give the kids a chance, just like any profession. They are probably not ready for many professions, but they still CAN work if they are qualified.

You're missing some of the point - It's their (the respective professional league's) money! It's not cost effective to simply flush millions of dollars down the drain, when an extra 12-36 months let's you mitigate some of that risk, and make a better informed "investment".

I'm not even necessarily saying that I agree, but I understand the rationale.

[Blue Square Thing]

Originally Posted by Tressel

no way any 18 year old is playing in the NFL right out of college....in fact, I can't think of any player that could come in right out of high school and play in the NFL. they just aren't ready physically for the beating that will take place. I agree with the 3 year rule the NFL has

The physical point is, I presume, a major advantage of coming this way and playing against men?

Along with the growing up and eating proper food bit as well of course... ;-)

[Deleterious]

Now a baseball player is leaving high school two years early. This is a bit different though. He is getting his GED so he can start playing ball at a community college and speed up his draft eligibility.

Harper ready to give college try - Sports - ReviewJournal.com

Harper ready to give college try

16-year-old Las Vegas High baseball prodigy registers at CSN, plans to attain GED to speed draft eligibility

Bryce Harper, the baseball phenom from Las Vegas High School, has no future in high school. An extraordinary player is ready to make an unusual move.

Harper, a 16-year-old who just completed his sophomore year, has registered at the College of Southern Nevada, where he plans to attend classes in August and play for the Coyotes next season.

His father, Ron Harper, announced the decision Saturday while in Oklahoma City for a baseball tournament.

"Bryce is always looking for his next challenge," Ron Harper said. "He's going to pursue his education, too. He's going to get pushed academically and athletically.

"I don't see a problem with it. I think we've handled it the right way. I think it will be a great story."

Bryce Harper gained national acclaim by appearing on the June 8 cover of Sports Illustrated as "Baseball's Chosen One." The story hinted at his plans to enroll in junior college to prepare for his professional career.

Harper, a 6-foot-3-inch catcher, hit .626 with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs for the Wildcats this season. He also had 36 stolen bases.

With his combination of power and speed, Harper is projected to be the top pick in the major league draft when he's eligible. That should be next June.

Ron Harper said his son, who turns 17 on Oct. 16, will be draft eligible "in 2010 or 2011. ... There are a lot of rules that people don't know about."

Bryce Harper and his mother, Sheri, recently went to CSN and signed enrollment forms and his letter of intent to play baseball. Harper is aiming to earn his GED test credentials in the fall.

"He was thinking about it. He initiated it," Ron Harper said. "He said, 'Dad, why can't I take my GED and do this?' "

The minimum age for major league draft eligibility is 16, upon completion of high school.

Ron Harper said Las Vegas High administrators and baseball coach Sam Thomas are "all supportive" of the move, though he expects detractors might surface.

"There are going to be critics. I can't worry about what people think. People are going to see what they want to see and say what they want to say," Ron Harper said. "I think this prepares him for life, playing the game of baseball.

"People question your parenting and what you're doing. Honestly, we don't think it's that big a deal. He's not leaving school to go work in a fast-food restaurant. Bryce is a good kid. He's smart, and he's going to get his education."

CSN coach Tim Chambers is a longtime friend of the Harper family.

"That's the only way this works out. I've known Tim for about 25 years," Ron Harper said. "Tim is going to take care of him. I couldn't send Bryce somewhere else. If I sent him across the country, I might second-guess myself and think I was crazy."

Bryan Harper, Bryce's brother, is transferring from Cal State Northridge to play for the Coyotes next season, so Bryce will have a strong support group at CSN. Bryan is a 6-5 left-handed pitcher.

"It's phenomenal because I get to play with my brother," Bryce said.

Ron Harper said he and Bryce have faced a "media frenzy" since arriving in Oklahoma City last week, a result of the publicity from the Sports Illustrated cover story.

"I've always tried to keep him humble," Ron Harper said. "But Bryce has always made good decisions on his own. He needs to be a good role model.

"My son is going to live with us and still eat at the same table. His brother will be a mentor to him. Why can't it be a good story?"

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.

[Deleterious]

Didn't work out so well.

RealGM: Basketball Wiretap Archives: Jeremy Tyler Quits Maccabi Haifa

Jeremy Tyler Quits Maccabi Haifa

Jeremy Tyler quit Maccabi Haifa and returned home to San Diego on Friday, cutting short a disappointing first pro season.

The 18-year-old Tyler arrived in Israel on a wave of publicity in August after deciding to skip his senior year at San Diego High School to gain professional experience.

However, his time in Israel was fraught with problems, and he left two months before the end of the season.

“Due to personal matters, Jeremy chose to leave the team on his own will on March 18 and return home to San Diego,” Maccabi Haifa owner Jeffery Rosen said in a statement. “We wish Jeremy all the best.”

In the 10 games Tyler played for Haifa, the 6-foot-11 power forward averaged only 2.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 7.6 minutes. Tyler, who reportedly earned a $140,000 salary, found it hard to adapt to the pro game and couldn't find a place in Maccabi Haifa's starting lineup.