Quote:
Originally Posted by ScriptOhio
Here's a case where a very good high school basketball player really doesn't want to go to college, may not be academically eligible to, and may play in Europe.
Jennings will consider playing in Europe regardless of scores
Brandon Jennings remains in a holding pattern regarding his basketball future.
On June 20, Jennings told ESPN.com he's considering a professional career in Europe if he falls short of the necessary SAT score. He had said he expected to receive the test score Thursday.
Jennings, who signed a national letter of intent with the University of Arizona, won't learn his fate until July 5 when his SAT score is released. Jennings, a 6-foot-2 point guard and top-ranked player in the ESPN 150, graduated last month from national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va.
His mother, Alice Knox, confirmed Thursday the release date of the SAT score and on Friday questioned an East Valley Tribune report, which cited an unnamed source, that said her son failed to meet the required score.
When contacted Friday morning Jennings' mother, Alice Knox, said she had no knowledge of the report and had "no idea about the unnamed source."
When Knox said she attempted to access her sons SAT score online, a message stated the scores were not yet available.
"We're weighing all the options," Knox said Thursday. "We're not bluffing about playing in Europe and even if Brandon gets the SAT score doesn't mean he's going to college."
Knox ruled out junior college or prep school. "We've received so many e-mails from junior colleges, we just delete them," she said.
Oak Hill coach Steve Smith spoke with Jennings on Monday.
"I never had one of my kids out of high school call about playing in Europe," Smith said. "I don't think any American kid has done this; he'd be a pioneer and open some doors for others. A year from today he'll be a lottery pick in the NBA draft."
If Jennings attends Arizona, he is likely to declare for the 2009 NBA draft.
Entire article : ESPN - Jennings will consider playing in Europe regardless of scores - Men's College Basketball
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LitlBuck
In this instance, it probably would not make any difference if the NBA had a two-year minimum because if Jennings cannot even get into school he would probably just play over in Europe for two years. Maybe we need to talk to the European teams about having some type of standards  |
Arizona recruit Jennings opts to play in Europe
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Arizona signee Brandon Jennings will pursue a professional basketball career in Europe, backing out on his commitment to the Wildcats.
"Over the course of the last two months I have consulted a number of people in basketball before coming to this decision," Jennings said in a statement released Tuesday night through his attorney, Jeff Valle. "I would like to thank the University of Arizona for their interest and support through this process."
Jennings, who played his final two high school seasons for Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, had not yet become academically eligible to play at Arizona.
He had been awaiting the results of a third college entrance exam, but decided instead to give up his scholarship, Valle said in a phone interview Tuesday night from his Los Angeles office. "We don't know the results of the test," Valle said. "He's been trying to make this decision as he waited through the eligibility process."
Entire article:
FOX Sports on MSN - COLLEGE BASKETBALL - Arizona recruit Jennings opts to play in Europe
Jennings may just be a pioneer for 'student-athletes'
In all likelihood, Brandon Jennings won't be the last big-time basketball recruit from the 2009 class to choose overseas money rather than the stereotypical, under-the-table college package.
Why risk being the next O.J. Mayo, the USC one-and-done-er done in by sloppy ESPN reporting, a former, opportunistic friend/ex-drug-dealer and antiquated NCAA rules?
For talented, teenage basketball players, a slow boat to China is a better option than being the victim of award-winning gotcha journalism.
We all (know) assume that big-time basketball and football recruits receive "illegal" benefits for pretending to be student-athletes at America's institutions of higher learning. We also (know) assume that journalists and news organizations can make names for themselves by exposing the fact that the kids and their parents/guardians are just as greedy as the constantly renegotiating coaches we put on pedestals. Brandon Jennings, a former Arizona commit, is smart. Why play the silly game? Why pretend to be a college student for one semester when he can't even "pass" the SAT or ACT? Why let a well-meaning, jealous member of his posse do what Louis Johnson did to O.J. Mayo?
Entire article:
FOX Sports on MSN - COLLEGE BASKETBALL - Jennings may just be a pioneer for 'student-athletes'
04-27-2008, 01:01 PM
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