Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy standout and one of the top-rated point guards in the country, has elected to play professional basketball in Europe, backing out of his commitment to the University of Arizona.
“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 through his attorney, Jeff Valle, Tuesday night. “I would like to thank the University of Arizona for their interest and support through this process.”
Jennings had yet to become academically eligible for scholarship to Arizona. His status was pending the results of his third college entrance exam. “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.”
Sources close to Jennings say that many European teams have shown interest in him for the past six weeks.
Of course, Jennings could not enter the this year's NBA Draft, which requires a prospect to be at least 19 years of age and one year removed from graduating from high school. The rule was hoped to be an incentive for high school prospects to experience college and what it has to offer. But will Brandon's decision become a trend in years to come?
It is stated that the interested teams are willing to pay Jennings well into six figures for one year in Europe.
This has the potential have a huge impact on the NCAA. With this option brought into perspective, the number of high school recruits going to college may start declining, just as they were before the 19-year-old age requirement.
Europe's willingness to pay six figures may persuade many recruits to try their luck overseas. May this be an incentive for the NCAA to implement some kind of payment for student athletes?
This will also affect European professional basketball. If high school prospects do begin to go overseas, European teams may become a little more competitive. The style of play would change also. We might not see as much of the "European style" of play.
This could change high-level basketball as we know it. But most of it is speculation. We will just have to wait and see.
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