Last year Brandon Jennings became the first basketball player to go international rather than participate at the college level. His experience abroad has paid off so far, as the Milwaukee Bucks guard is averaging 22 points per game this year, including his 55-point effort a few weeks ago. With the NBA's collective bargaining agreement expiring in 2011, there are rumblings that Commissioner David Stern may try to raise the league's 19-year old age minimum. Based on Jennings' positive results from his abroad experience, raising the age limit could send even more potential NBA stars and NCAA standouts to international leagues.
After a stellar high school career that ended at basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, Jennings became one of the top prospects in the nation. Jennings committed to play for the Arizona Wildcats, but failed his entrance exam on several attempts. This led him to the alternative of playing overseas, as Jennings reasoned this experience would help him prepare for the NBA. He received even more incentive to go abroad after being offered a $1.65 million contract with the Italian club Lottomatica Virtus Roma and a $2 million endorsement contract with Under Armour.
Despite the attractiveness of these factors, Jennings' abroad experience did very little to enhance his status for the following year's NBA draft. Naturally, Jennings did not receive the same exposure he would in America while playing overseas. His stats overseas were nothing special, as Jennings averaged less than 20 minutes per game in 16 Euroleague games while shooting only 39 percent from the field.
Jennings' behavior off the court also made him a potential risk. Midway through the season, he complained about his playing time and experience abroad. After an NBA pre-draft workout, he disrespected fellow European prospect Ricky Rubio by saying his game was ""all hype."" And Jennings was not very professional on draft night. Initially Jennings decided to skip the event for a family function but then strolled in late after he was drafted just to take a picture with the commissioner.
But as we often see, Jennings' on-court play has made the public quickly forget about his off-court distractions. In addition to his 22 points per game, Jennings is averaging almost six assists, proving his worth not just as a scorer but a reliable point guard who can run an NBA offense.
Teams had every right to see Jennings as a potential risk on draft night, but it's now clear that front offices overlooked the behind-the-scenes work that Jennings went through in Italy. For one, he practiced every day with experienced players who are much bigger and stronger than those in the NCAA. The abroad experience certainly gave Jennings his fair share of lifestyle changes, but in the grand scheme of things, his main focus was basketball. College players not only face much fiercer competition in the NCAA, but must also combine that with the pressures of classes, exams and social life on campus.
Now other prospects are following Jennings' lead and going international in an even more unconventional way. Jeremy Tyler, a highly touted 6'11"" prospect from San Diego, left high school before his senior year to play with Maccabi Haifa in Israel. Through five games, Tyler has played only 38 minutes and scored seven points. Like Jennings, Tyler may develop his game with two seasons of overseas experience, but what if that doesn't pan out?
I fully appreciate the value of a college experience and education, but I think it's time for Commissioner David Stern to realize that it isn't for everyone. If players have the talent and ability to take their game to the pros, then how is it fair to deny them that right? This is especially true for many players who come from low-income families and neighborhoods that have the chance to provide their families with legitimate financial security.
In the past few years, we've seen far too many players bolt for the NBA after just one year in the college ranks. The abroad alternative is intriguing but also poses plenty of risky situations. It's time to give back to high school seniors what's rightfully theirs—freedom in deciding their own futures, without restriction.
Think Jennings will lead prep stars to Europe? E-mail Matt at mfox2@wisc.edu.
