What do you do if you're 6'9'' (listed as 6'11'' on other sites) and weigh 225 pounds and are dominating high school basketball? If you're Jeremy Tyler you say no more high school and you sign to play overseas.
His defense for leaving high school early...he wasn't getting any better playing with these kids and he wants to grow as a player in a more professional setting. Hey can you blame the guy? If I was that big and that good I may have done the same thing. However, I'm 5'9'' instead of 6'9''.
Tyler's father has been quoted by the New York Times as being on board with this decision saying that if 18-year-old kids can join the military and fight for our country than why can't his son play professional basketball.
Scout.com has Tyler listed as the seventh best basketball player in the 2010 recruiting class and he signed to play for Rick Pitino at Louisville. Tyler is looking to join Brandon Jennings and become only the second high school basketball player to elect to play overseas instead of the mandatory one year out of high school rule.
It's hard to see how successful it's been for Brandon Jennings, but he's averaging just over five points per game in the Italian league. However, the $1.65 million guaranteed money he earned plus the $2 million Under Armour deal didn't hurt.
Does Jennings' seemingly lack of success mean he wasn't ready for the NBA? Does it mean he needed a year of college under his belt before making the leap? We'll never know, but with a year of basketball coaching he appears to be ready to play at the next level.
But what will this move do for the rest of the high school basketball players that don't want to stay in school any longer? It now looks like the perfect option to play overseas, earn a few dollars, get some professional coaching, and when eligible put your name in the NBA draft.
What about other sports...football in particular? Will high school football players want to play in the Canadian Football League, or even NFL Europe? I don't know if there are any eligibility rules prohibiting them from doing so.
In a world where money is thrown around quickly I have to say I would advise my child to do the same and play professionally if possible. Some people will say but what about friends and enjoying being 18. I say with millions of dollars you can buy friends and easily have a good time.
What do you think?
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