Demo Dick Marcinko
07-11-2008, 09:04 AM
What may happen is that lottery picks may start ending up in Europe and then they get enticed financially to continue to play there. Interesting developments. Let's see how or if the NBA counters.
Prep player finds way to skirt NBA rules
Top high school point guard will play in Europe for a year.
By Pete Thamel
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Friday, July 11, 2008
AKRON, Ohio — Brandon Jennings is considered the best point guard prospect of the high school class of 2008. His ball-handling and ability to lead the fast break make him a tantalizing prospect.
But Jennings will be best known as a trendsetter.
Jennings, who had committed to the University of Arizona, decided he will play in Europe next season. That announcement could cause a ripple effect for other high school players considering jumping overseas to play.
Professional teams in Italy are among European clubs that have expressed interest in Jennings, who would most likely get a minimum of $300,000, including salary and endorsements.
"If it turns out to be successful, there would be more going," Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun said. "It will not just be your eyes as a reporter and my eyes as a coach watching. It will be all the eyes of basketball, particularly the eyes of young people saying, 'Is that a great way to get experience?' ''
It's also a way for players to beat the NBA's ultimatum that they go to college for at least one year. Until 2005, players could jump directly from high school to the NBA, a path closed when the NBA instituted an age minimum.
Jennings, a 6-foot-2-inch Los Angeles native, hadn't yet academically qualified for college. He was awaiting the results of a third college entrance exam but decided this week to give up his scholarship.
Jennings heard former sneaker executive Sonny Vaccaro talk about Europe as an option on a radio show, and he and his mother have consulted Vaccaro about it.
"Basically, you're not looking so much for money," said Kelly Williams, Jennings' adviser and the father of Nets point guard Marcus Williams. "You're looking for the kid developing and going to the NBA in the next draft."
Rest assured other players are watching Jennings.
One of the top players in the class of 2009 is the 6-5 Lance Stephenson, who has led Brooklyn's Lincoln High to three consecutive New York City championships. Stephenson has a conventional list of colleges — Texas, UCLA, Southern California, Memphis, and St. John's — where he is expected to only spend one season before heading to the NBA. But Stephenson's father, Lance Sr., said the family will be following Jennings' decision closely.
"For me and my wife, we just get the information and talk to Lance and let him make the decision on that," he said.
DeMar DeRozan, a USC signee, is considered the best scorer in the incoming freshman class. DeRozan, a 6-6 forward, is expected to fill much of the scoring void left by O.J. Mayo, who left after a year and was the No. 3 pick in the draft.
The problem is DeRozan has not qualified academically to play at USC. While DeRozan said he was solely focused on playing college basketball, it was plausible that Europe could become an option.
"It put thoughts in a lot of players' heads when they see Brandon going over there and doing something like that," DeRozan said.
College coaches are generally against the idea of high school players playing in Europe for money. Memphis coach John Calipari cited the language barrier, playing against physically dominant competition and the cultural adjustment for a teenager.
"I don't know if I'd want to be the first one, because your career is on the line," Calipari said. "And here you are getting coached by a guy who doesn't speak your language."
Not every kid is thinking about heading out. DeMarcus Cousins, a 6-9 forward, said he was not wavering from his commitment to Alabama-Birmingham.
Why not Europe?
He smiled and said, "My mom would never allow it."
Buzz up!
Prep player finds way to skirt NBA rules
Top high school point guard will play in Europe for a year.
By Pete Thamel
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Friday, July 11, 2008
AKRON, Ohio — Brandon Jennings is considered the best point guard prospect of the high school class of 2008. His ball-handling and ability to lead the fast break make him a tantalizing prospect.
But Jennings will be best known as a trendsetter.
Jennings, who had committed to the University of Arizona, decided he will play in Europe next season. That announcement could cause a ripple effect for other high school players considering jumping overseas to play.
Professional teams in Italy are among European clubs that have expressed interest in Jennings, who would most likely get a minimum of $300,000, including salary and endorsements.
"If it turns out to be successful, there would be more going," Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun said. "It will not just be your eyes as a reporter and my eyes as a coach watching. It will be all the eyes of basketball, particularly the eyes of young people saying, 'Is that a great way to get experience?' ''
It's also a way for players to beat the NBA's ultimatum that they go to college for at least one year. Until 2005, players could jump directly from high school to the NBA, a path closed when the NBA instituted an age minimum.
Jennings, a 6-foot-2-inch Los Angeles native, hadn't yet academically qualified for college. He was awaiting the results of a third college entrance exam but decided this week to give up his scholarship.
Jennings heard former sneaker executive Sonny Vaccaro talk about Europe as an option on a radio show, and he and his mother have consulted Vaccaro about it.
"Basically, you're not looking so much for money," said Kelly Williams, Jennings' adviser and the father of Nets point guard Marcus Williams. "You're looking for the kid developing and going to the NBA in the next draft."
Rest assured other players are watching Jennings.
One of the top players in the class of 2009 is the 6-5 Lance Stephenson, who has led Brooklyn's Lincoln High to three consecutive New York City championships. Stephenson has a conventional list of colleges — Texas, UCLA, Southern California, Memphis, and St. John's — where he is expected to only spend one season before heading to the NBA. But Stephenson's father, Lance Sr., said the family will be following Jennings' decision closely.
"For me and my wife, we just get the information and talk to Lance and let him make the decision on that," he said.
DeMar DeRozan, a USC signee, is considered the best scorer in the incoming freshman class. DeRozan, a 6-6 forward, is expected to fill much of the scoring void left by O.J. Mayo, who left after a year and was the No. 3 pick in the draft.
The problem is DeRozan has not qualified academically to play at USC. While DeRozan said he was solely focused on playing college basketball, it was plausible that Europe could become an option.
"It put thoughts in a lot of players' heads when they see Brandon going over there and doing something like that," DeRozan said.
College coaches are generally against the idea of high school players playing in Europe for money. Memphis coach John Calipari cited the language barrier, playing against physically dominant competition and the cultural adjustment for a teenager.
"I don't know if I'd want to be the first one, because your career is on the line," Calipari said. "And here you are getting coached by a guy who doesn't speak your language."
Not every kid is thinking about heading out. DeMarcus Cousins, a 6-9 forward, said he was not wavering from his commitment to Alabama-Birmingham.
Why not Europe?
He smiled and said, "My mom would never allow it."
Buzz up!