I read the news about the decision made by high school junior Jeremy Tyler last week and was really surprised. A 17-year-old US guy stops his high school career a year before graduation to play in Europe? After the Brandon Jennings door-opener this season, I thought that maybe some other HS seniors would go that way, but a junior? When I read the different statements then, I really have some doubts about this move.
It was particularly one article on FOX Sports that brought up the idea to ask myself if this young kid or his dad have ever seen a Euroleague basketball game. According to several sources, Tyler, who has already contacts with teams in Italy, Spain and Israel (!) — is Maccabi in the race here or what? They’re linked to nearly every player right now available in the market, so why not? — is telling them that getting fouled is not his thing. Just read:
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.
How sweet is that? Scratches and bruises on your arms. Does JT really think that when he plays in Europe, it won’t be physical? He should be aware that while playing on the inside positions in Europe, he will have some opposition — and I mean real opposition, not like in high school. Has he ever heard of guys like Felipe Reyes, Ioannis Bourousis or Nikola Pekovic? These guys won’t open the door to allow you an easy dunk in their paint, but prefer breaking your arm to giving you an open basket.
Jennings may have been a little bit different, as he plays in the guard spots and can use his quickness to create for himself. But the inside game in Europe is quite different and is essentially played on the ground instead of above the rim; something that an Italian executive who saw Jennings play the whole season confirmed for me:
For a guard, it is better than for a big man, but with Brandon Jennings we are talking about a point guard not an off guard. And for a point guard, it is not easy to adjust to our style, which is much more structured than anything he has ever experienced before.
In general, this executive is not really in favor of such moves and is particularly pessimistic about the impact it may have on the professional team he plays for.
It’s too early for those guys to come over here. Even for a young guy already out of college it takes three to four months to adjust to life, not only basketball. Imagine for those young guys.
Can we say that the signing of Jennings was beneficial for Rome? In my opinion, Rome wasted a US player (Italian teams are limited to four such roster spots) on a guy who’s not really contributing.
And this limitation of US players may be the biggest hurdle for Tyler next season. Is there still a professional team that wants to “waste” one of their limited US player spots to a 17-year-old kid? Spain has two spots, Italy four and probably only three next season. So it will be interesting to see which team takes that big risk to sign a player who will probably make only a limited contribution at the highest professional level, the level at which Tyler aims to play when coming “overseas.”
Completely agree with the analysis!
I only want to add that probably no-one in Rome (excpet Repesa) was aware of what a fantastic player could still be SaniBoy… and poor Brandon has wasted most of his season in a big team that didn’t need his skills…
A different chioce (AJ Milan without Bulleri from the beginning, maybe DKV facing long term Rubio wrist problems in the beginning) would have probably returned better results.
Let’s be honest on this one – hardly he is looking at an Euroleague spot there. The report are that he might play for youth or 2nd team. And it does not mean that he will play in ACB or Lega 1, Lega Due or LEB Gold is not out of the mix I believe. And all in all, if that is the case – that might turn out to be a great thing for the guy since he will play against solid opposition (compared to the one he faces in HS basket) and will learn the thing. Year 1 will be a learning time and if they go that way on slightly lower level, then he might learn it and in Year 2 might be more ready ball there. Lega Due has money and they are not afraid to throw it at players. I would not be surprised about that thing turning out. Plus, it will generate some media buzz both here and oversees.
@Arvids
Hey may look for a Youth or 2nd team, but what gives him this as exposure for the NBA Draft? not that much. Which Youth program is ready to pay him as much as he is looking for (6 figures)?
LegaDue may be a destination, that’s true.
We will see what comes out this summer
Well, he is bound to play pro for 2 years anyway, and it is all about being ready in Year 2 and not Year 1. That is how I see it and if he gets to develop his game in 1st season and becoming ready for the bigger stage in year 2, then he will be a winner. It is all about making a smart decision both from him and the team. If any Euroleague team decides to take him, then president of that club should fire the decision maker of that choice anyway…
It’s Maccabi Haifa Heat, which is not a Euroleague team, that is interested in him, not Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Haifa, which is owned by a U.S. Jewish millionaire Jeffrey Rosen, didn’t even play outside of Israel last year (actually it was their first year in the top league – second year owned by Rosen) and lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the championship game.
I’m not sure if they will be playing in any international leagues next year, but one assumes. The owner seems to be aggressive, and Sonny Vaccaro likes the way they treated Davon Jefferson.
Personally I hope more HS and college level U.S. players go overseas. Better coaching and anything to stick it to the NBA with their one-year college rule (for U.S. citizens only).
I am a maccabi heat Haifa heat fan. we had an awsome year and of course we will play in europe next year in eurocup. we are astrong team with very qualifird players. if tyler joins us it will be for the benefit of both sides.
Haifa Heat waved their EuroCup ticket for next year. They won’t be playing any international games in the upcoming season. Should be easier for Tyler to adjust this way.