When I read the article on ESPN last June about Brandon Jennings debating moving overseas to ball in Europe instead of following through on his signed letter of intent to attend the University of Arizona this coming season, I was a bit skeptical. For starters I knew that Jennings was a notoriously poor student, but I figured a couple of tutors and a summer of book work could fix that. Second of all, I didn’t think Jennings would take such a big risk given his status as the top point guard prospect heading into the NCAA this season. The NBA has been scouting quite heavily internationally for the past few years, but the majority of top draftees still come directly from the US College ranks.
That’s not to say however that playing professionally in Europe will hinder his chances of being drafted high in the 2009 NBA draft. In fact if he has a stellar year playing pro in Italy it could actually bolster his draft value, as he would be seen by more NBA scouts as being “NBA Ready” because of his added experience playing professionally and due to the more physical nature of the European game.
So instead of attending college classes all year and living off a scholarship, Brandon Jennings will be making a hefty $1.2 million per year, including contract endorsements with Under Armour and living quite luxuriously on the team’s dime. Not bad for a kid growing up in Compton who might have been attending the University of Arizona right now if it weren’t for that pesky NCAA rule about passing the standardized entrance test. Speaking of pesky rules, how about that NBA rule imposed by David Stern to require all high school grads to be at least one year outside of their graduating year before being eligible for the NBA draft? There was a lot of heated debate about that rule change a couple years back. Hell, Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, and others may have never stepped foot on an NCAA floor if it weren’t for the 2006 NBA draft rule change. But has Brandon Jennings found a loophole? Or has he at least found an alternative to living broke like a student for a year before becoming eligible for the NBA? Seems that way with his million dollar contract for this season with the italian team Lottomatica Virtus Roma.
The New York Times this week caught up with Jennings in Rome for a bite to eat and a little chat about what his decision could mean for other young ballers who don’t really fit the college mould. After reading the article what became abundantly clear is this move is not for everyone. You have to be fairly certain that you have the talent to go straight to the NBA after one year, otherwise you might be better off going to college to pursue that security net that most star NCAA players will never use, a College Degree.
After watching the following video clip of Brandon Jennings first scrimmage with this new team in Italy, I would have to say Mr. Jennings took a risk but it should eventually pay off huge. Unless this guy gets hit by a bus between now and the 2009 NBA draft this cat will be a Top 10 pick. His handle and passing ability have always amazed me. But if he gets the jumper going consistently, there is just no way to stop this guy.
Check out the vid….
