Prep standout Brandon Jennings contemplates playing in Europe

He is exploring the possibility of playing professionally overseas because he is not eligible for the NBA draft and has not been cleared by the NCAA to play at Arizona.
By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
June 25, 2008


As former Southern California prep basketball star Brandon Jennings awaits SAT results that will determine whether he is eligible to be Arizona's starting point guard, he is exploring another option: Signing with a European pro team for one season.

If he takes that route, Jennings would become the first high school star to go overseas, rather than spend a year in college, under the NBA's 2-year-old rule barring players who have not turned 19 by July 1 of the respective draft year.

Europe bound?"If he's not the first, someone else will be soon," longtime shoe company advisor Sonny Vaccaro said this week. "Without getting into specific numbers, the kid will do well. He can be marketed immediately with shoe company money, and the kid who does it first will make an international splash.

"Knowing Brandon's personality, and with him seeing the practicality of this, I think he'll do it. Eligible or not."

Jennings, in a statement to The Times released by his attorney, Jeffrey Valle, said, "I am very interested in exploring opportunities to play overseas. Once I get my test scores, I will have some tough decisions to make. At that time, I will sit down with my mom [Alice Knox] and Mr. Valle to make the best possible decision on how to go forward."

As Thursday's draft approaches, an NBA spokesman did not immediately respond to questions about the possible precedent-setting nature of Jennings' situation.

The 6-foot-2 Jennings, 18, starred for the last two seasons at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., after living in Lakewood and playing at Southern California power Compton Dominguez High.

Ranked by some prep basketball talent appraisers as the top incoming freshman in the nation, Jennings told ESPN.com last week that he has taken the SAT three times, scoring poorly on the first and so much better on the second that the NCAA red-flagged the result and opted not to clear him for college.

He's due to receive the result of his third test Thursday, said Valle, a Los Angeles attorney. Valle called the score "make or break."

"No decision has been made on Brandon's future yet," Valle said. "He's working through his eligibility issues right now and keeping his options open with Europe.

"If eligibility is a non-starter, then he has no choice but to consider Europe, but he has not decided anything at this point."

A spokesman for Arizona's athletic department said longtime men's basketball Coach Lute Olson is waiting for the test score and "would like to have Brandon here, as we've said all along, as our point guard."

Should Jennings be cleared by the NCAA, Arizona boasts the stability of a consistent winning program and a tradition of grooming NBA talent. Olson has developed NBA star guards Gilbert Arenas, Mike Bibby and Damon Stoudamire, and after a one-year layoff the coach and his program are a better-known commodity compared to the uncertainty of what city or coaching awaits the teen in Europe.

In an e-mail, NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson declined to address Jennings' case specifically. "In general, we certainly believe there is great benefit in attending college and participating in intercollegiate athletics," Christianson wrote.

Jennings appeared destined for Arizona since committing to the Wildcats, but he told the New York Times he heard Vaccaro mention the European league idea on a sports-talk radio show, and pressed his mother to pursue the possibility.

Valle said the NBA mandate that players need to be 19 to enter the draft, which will be conducted Thursday with notable one-and-done stars such as O.J. Mayo of USC and Kevin Love of UCLA, "has its flaws . . . especially to a kid like Brandon.

"The kid, really, just wants to play basketball and make money.

"So, even if he's eligible [for Arizona], it's prudent to look at all the options. The European option is a nice one that presents him good competition."

Kelly Williams, Jennings' advisor, told cbssports.com the player could net $1 million with a European contract and shoe endorsement deal.

"I don't think his family is in a financial crisis, but, certainly, he would be in position to make some money by going overseas," Valle said. "If he could, he'd turn pro right now. It's an interesting concept he's exploring. . . . It's still in the early stages. He doesn't know what the offers will be, he doesn't have an agent."

Vaccaro, who has played host to Jennings at national basketball showcases for five years and said he knows the player and his mother well, said the case exposes "the problem of the world we live in. They force these kids to make these decisions."

lance.pugmire@latimes.com
SOURCE

QUOTE:QUOTE:

The 6-foot-2 Jennings, 18, starred for the last two seasons at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., after living in Lakewood and playing at Southern California power Compton Dominguez High.

Ranked by some prep basketball talent appraisers as the top incoming freshman in the nation, Jennings told ESPN.com last week that he has taken the SAT three times,, scoring poorly on the first and so much better on the second that the NCAA red-flagged the result and opted not to clear him for college.

He's due to receive the result of his third test Thursday, said Valle, a Los Angeles attorney.Valle called the score "make or break."
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WHY CAN'T THESE KIDS GET A PROPER EDUCATION?

Instead, let's circumvent the system and perform a reach-around..to hell with a chance at a higher education.

David Stern must be loving this and Division 1 colleges are having a fit. But the college need not worry, they will continue to get athletes and get paid.

The real loser? Another famous successful (we all hope) Black athlele without a 4 year college education and no fall back if things go wrong.

I'm not hatin', Get that money, but one failure (lack of education) should not be coupled with the possibility of another (not making the cut overseas or serious injury). If you fail overseas, your ineligable to go to college and will your plan to make it in the NBA even happen? Will the NBA even want you if you can't cut it over there?

Also, I don't think that foreign league basketball and it's fans will not allow this influx of American Black high school ball players to continue for long, opting for overseas ball just to get around the American collegiate system (because you can't pass the SAT), to "mark time and wait until they are old enough" to play in the NBA, while pushing aside their local ballers and other foreign players who consider the foreign league "their NBA".

Someone needs to get control of this.

These kids are being allowed to make grown folk decisions without parental guidance (all they see is the money, along with the parents) and allowing bottom feeders like Sonny Vacarro (Nike) to continue to line the pockets of his employer, Nike.

The NBA is officially now The Dumb Down Basketball Association (DDBA), with highly educated White businessmen and agencies running the show and talented, uneducated African American players who are just sweat labor, having absoulty no authority, no power, no say so and no means to make change.

Just a huge paycheck, that they cannot even negoiate themselves without that educated White man, in order to live out their childhood hoop dreams.

Just sign the contract, take the money, play ball and shut the fuck up!

NBA Commissioner David Stern has no problem with this situation at all. It's all more money and more power for him.

I guess that the book, "Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete," written by William C. Rhoden, was correct all along.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cholly,

quote:

The real loser? Another famous successful (we all hope) Black athlele without a 4 year college education and no fall back if things go wrong.

Just a knee injury away from Macdonalds. Everytime I read something like this it reminds me of the basketball player from Chicago (name is on the tip of my tounge) who "made" it through highschool and college but couldn't even read his own name.
I hope he makes it because as always no one will step to the front to take the blame if he doesn't.

Cholly I beg to differ.
I also think Sonny Veccaro is a grease ball and I see through this whole thing as nothing more then Nike trying to increase their brand…

However the minimum age rule is bogus.
There a lot of issues to discuss here.
Namely college players need a players union. In regards to you believing that kids who elect to go pro then get hurt are schitt out of luck. I counter that with the fact that basketball contracts are 100% guaranteed.


The only difference currently between “college/amateur” and pro athletics is one league pays their players, despite both collecting money…

quote:

I counter that with the fact that basketball contracts are 100% guaranteed.

As long as he can count or can find someone trustworthy to count for him, you are correct. But if not.........paper or plastic?

quote:

Originally posted by blaqfist:
Cholly I beg to differ.
I also think Sonny Veccaro is a grease ball and I see through this whole thing as nothing more then Nike trying to increase their brand…

However the minimum age rule is bogus.
There a lot of issues to discuss here.
Namely college players need a players union. In regards to you believing that kids who elect to go pro then get hurt are schitt out of luck. I counter that with the fact that basketball contracts are 100% guaranteed.


The only difference currently between “college/amateur” and pro athletics is one league pays their players, despite both collecting money…

------------------------------------------------

I agree, the contracts are 100% guaranteed (that's the good thing) but that lack of a solid college education, understanding money finance, taxes and how to control/live with that money long term if something happens is the bigger issue.

For every one Lebron James (who is uneducated himself, he is just another talented Nike creation with a huge contract) there are hundreds who flamed out within 1-2 years.

I read an article recently that said that 60% of the current NFL players today are broke. I know that NFL contracts aren't guaranteed like the NBA, but THE PLAYER needs to understandand take control of his earnings and his life, instead of the agents, lawyers, advisors, investors and hangers on who are only there to take it away from them (after Uncle Sam get hie 50% cut).

All that bling bling costs money whether you are in the league or not and a guaranteed contract if you are out of the league early doesn't go that far.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cholly,

I read the 3 years after retiring 60% (even the ones who went to college) of all NBA players are broke...

So even getting a college education is no protection against financial ruin...

quote:

Originally posted by blaqfist:
I read the 3 years after retiring 60% (even the ones who went to college) of all NBA players are broke...

So even getting a college education is no protection against financial ruin...

------------------------------------------------

Yes, if you don't get a good solid education instead of going to college just to play ball. putting athletics first and the college education second.

If you stay 4 years, you will get a college degree, but not necessarily a college education. In 4 years, did you earn that degree/ learn anything or was basketball/football you primary major?

For me, it all goes back to the home.

You cannot tell me that these talented b-ball players (with the solid jump shot and dunking ability) can't learn and attain a good high school education and excel in college studies along side their basketball skills?

What' wrong?

They listen to coach but refuse to listen to the high school teacher or college Professor? They can withstand the pressure of attempting and make/missing that last second shot or free throw to win the game but can't study, maintain good grades and pass a test? Come'on, that's bullshit.

If someone would tell them, a solid education (high school or college) helps you in life, prepares you (business and other wise) at the next level. It prepares you to understand, dominate and take control your susceess instead of totally relying on others.

Yes you will need others (we all do) but they need to understand what that $50 millon dollar contract is all about and what it entails (rules, clauses, etc.) before signing it.

We all watch TV and because of the NBA/NFL's creative atmosphere, we fans believe that these young men are totally in control. , The NBA Cares, Charities, Reading is Fundamental etc. All NBA packaged programs set up & coordinated to paint that picture of maturity for you and me, the paying customer.

I choose to not beleive that they can't do it and I don't want to hear " my life in da hood or my poor existance" as an excuse.

They attended high school/college and without schools, no NBA dream, so why not learn something while you are there.

You can still claim that dream and fully understand what it all means.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cholly,

If the NBA was sincere about their players getting an education why not make players obtain their BA’s while in the NBA?

You have not addressed my point about college educated players being broke 6 years after leaving the NBA. A degree is no protection against a bad decision. Very few majors teach you how to manage 50 million dollars anyways..

quote:

Originally posted by blaqfist:
If the NBA was sincere about their players getting an education why not make players obtain their BA’s while in the NBA?

You have not addressed my point about college educated players being broke 6 years after leaving the NBA. A degree is no protection against a bad decision. Very few majors teach you how to manage 50 million dollars anyways..

KEY WORD: Bad decision. First bad decision, not getting a solid high school/college education.

It can or/will happen but why not prepare youself for it educationally?

Why should getting your BA be the NBA's responsibility? Their job is to pay you to perform your job of playing basketball. Money management and getting an education is your personal responsibility, not the league.

A few years ago, I talked to a salesman who used to be a punter for the Philadelphia Eagles. he told me that one of the biggest problems with NFL players is that in the league money is everywhere and you think that it can never, ever run out. Money grows on trees, virtually everything is free and players are unprepared educationally when your time is up.

At that time, he also told me that he could name several All-Pro players who were living with their parents (even ones still in the league) because they were broke.

As I said before, if these players, knowing that if the NBA is the main goal, your chances of making the league are good enough and the big money is coming, why not prepare yourself?

Use some COMMON SENSE, take the initiative while in college and take a major like Business Adminstration/Management, Banking & Finance, Economics or Accounting.

These majors teach you about finance, money management, business, economics, taxes, entrepruneurship, investment, etc. It all there!

You are going into a professional league that's all about money.

Even if you are in the league and only stayed in college for 1-2 years, take on-line business courses, take courses in the summer and/or learn form the very people (agents, lawyers etc.) who manage you!

You can still buy the bling bling, entertain the ladies, can still make it rain (not like Pac Man Jones or Michael Vick's dog issues, they were both stupid) but be sensible about it.

This is not rocket science. The responsibility is yours, it's your money.

You are paying to much attention to the number (50 million) and not enough about how to get the education required to manage it, which is probably typical among all pro players.

It requires some hard work and all colleges offer that, no matter where you go and if you don't go to college and make the league, you can still educate yourself by taking college courses.

It takes personal initiative and wanting to do; the same dedication you put into that round basketball that got you there. It's that simple.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cholly,

You are talking out of both sides of your mouth Cholly...

Why would the league mandating that their players continue to strive to at least get a BA a bad thing?

Isn't the whole issue education?

I have already showed you how both college educated and non-college educated former NBA players are both broke in 6 years after retirement...

Having the talent to play in the NBA puts you in the top 10% of skill set (in the world)..

Would you force the creators of google to go to college just because they were not 21?

quote:

Originally posted by blaqfist:
You are talking out of both sides of your mouth Cholly...

Why would the league mandating that their players continue to strive to at least get a BA a bad thing?

Isn't the whole issue education?

I have already showed you how both college educated and non-college educated former NBA players are both broke in 6 years after retirement...

Having the talent to play in the NBA puts you in the top 10% of skill set (in the world)..

Would you force the creators of google to go to college just because they were not 21?

----------------------------------------------
Come on.

Why should the league mandate ? That goes back to one of my original assertions; that the powers-to-be in the league having to tell you to (the sweat laborer, who doesn't have any power or say so) do what you should/have be doing all along for yourself. That's just common sense.

That's having a slave/dependent mentality.

If you complete college and don't try to earn your college BA WHILE in college (many people have BA's but don't know shit) or you only do 1-2 years (since you chose to leave early for the NBA) and you wait until you get to the league and wait for THE LEAGUE to dictate to you to go back to school and educate yourself, why in the fuck is the dumbass in the league in the first place?

You could not figure that out on your own prior to making the NBA? Does basketball make you dumb? That's simply childish!

Are you too worried about your 1st round draft status falling by attending college beyond the 1-2 years? Are you afraid that if you stay in school that you won't get any better? I guess at that point the college degree is really not necessary, only the money.

The NBA should kick you out of the league just on sheer stupidity alone!

QUOTE: Having the talent to play in the NBA puts you in the top 10% of skill set (in the world)..

Athletically and physically that's true, but you don't have to be in that top 10% and be an uneducated mentally dumb azz athlete.

Again, you are looking at the fame, money, spoils and the NBA/player's commericalization of sport and not the educational/business part of it.

Or maybe. based on your reply that I am responding to, you just don't get it. You love to ball but can't read, understand or comprehend the details of a contract.


Remember, The NBA is a business first, enterainment second.

For you info, both founders of Google went to college: Stanford University. If you are smart enough and eligible, you can go to collge if you're 14- 15 and beyond. Many people have done it.

Man, get your facts straight......

If the NBA mandated an education policy it would give more validity to their whole 1yr of college rule (which is bogus). I was just using Google as an example..

Bill Gates did not finish college and the creator of Napster did not finish college (college drop out).

I know you don't want to debate me on the number of people who are successful sans a college education...

Having the ability to be a 1st round NBA draft pick puts you in the top 10% (maybe lower) in a skill set that people will pay you to see...

My Google analogy is right on time. If a HS senior was considered the #8 JAVA programmer in the world, would you force him to go to college 1st? To prove a talent he has already demonstrated he possesses?

quote:

Originally posted by blaqfist:
You are talking out of both sides of your mouth Cholly...

Why would the league mandating that their players continue to strive to at least get a BA a bad thing?

Isn't the whole issue education?

I have already showed you how both college educated and non-college educated former NBA players are both broke in 6 years after retirement...

Having the talent to play in the NBA puts you in the top 10% of skill set (in the world)..

Would you force the creators of google to go to college just because they were not 21?

The players union would NEVER go for a BA mandate. Remember the players have rights and the union is strong. College educated people from all walks of life end up broke and working at Target or WalMart. When you get right down to it, each person has to do something with what he has. If a kid gets a chance to go to college through sports and takes advantage of it to get a degree, he is in a better position than many. If that same kid plays even one year in the NBA, he has earned at a level he would never earned otherwise. If a man chooses to splurge with his earnings he will be broke. If he doesn't he has a foundation that most people can only dream of. The survey says 60% of players go broke. Maybe what needs to be studied is what the other 40% are doing.

My whole argument is this..
Allow the kids to play.
No one is forcing these NBA GM's to draft them..
Having a BA is no protection against being stupid..

How smart to you have to be to know to put your money in the bank!
Most former players I know and have heard from said the #1 threat to your finances is friends and family members who feel entitled to your money...

You have to learn how to say "NO" and "HELL TO THE NO" to people

You are misinterpreting the rule somewhat. It is not one year of college that is mandatory. It is one year after high school age. This kid Brandon Jennings kid can go play in Europe or anywhere else for a year and be eligible.....As far as the family & friends, you sure got that right. You got cousins coming out of the wood work with hands out and big ole smiles on their faces.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by blaqfist:
If the NBA mandated an education policy it would give more validity to their whole 1yr of college rule (which is bogus). I was just using Google as an example..

Bill Gates did not finish college and the creator of Napster did not finish college (college drop out).
------------------------------------------------

I am not conerned about Bill Gates or Sean Fanning (Napster). These two were probably very good students in High School and got a good education.

There are millions of people around the world who are successful without college degrees. What is one of the basis of that success besides having a great idea (Microsoft & Napster) was a good solid High School education. You can't deny that and I applaud them.

My concern? Are for young African American males. The ones who have talent and skill but don't do well in high school. The ball player in question took the SAT three times and will he even pass the test? Maybe.

He probably will still play ball overseas and if he is good enough or has no serious injury after 1 year, maybe the NBA.

My focus is on a good education no matter what and the capacity to use that education (be it High School or College) along with that skill or talent to enhance your life and make yourself better.

You want to debate high school vs college and college educated people who fail (all people make money mistakes, were human) but the bottom line is, without a proper basic education or an advanced education, your chances may be nil.

Brandon Jennings? He is a top B-Ball player. What if he wasn't? What if he was just an average Joe without that solid High School education, where would he be? What would he do? We would have not even heard of him.

QUOTE:

How smart to you have to be to know to put your money in the bank!

Most former players I know and have heard from said the #1 threat to your finances is friends and family members who feel entitled to your money...
------------------------------------------------

Who puts the money in the bank, the player or the team of agent/lawyers he pays? Who does the taxes? Who controls the spending? Who tell players how much they have left? Who sets up investments, set up all the business meetings/ details and all you do is sign because you trust him/her?

The player (since it is his money & his career) needs to be fully involved in the process. Don't just make a phone call to the agent so he can make it happen. That's not power if you don't know what's really going on with your money & the agent/lawyers who you pay to control it. Hundreds of players have gotten ripped of this way.

Family? Friends? Take control of your own life. What, are you going to be guilted into giving your money away?

You wanna break them off? Fine. Buy momma/daddy a house, cars, give them a bank account with a running monthly deposit. No problem. Friends? have fun. Buy them something but you don't have to feed you broke realitives and friends your money for the rest of you life.

When did they become entitled to your money? Because they are your boys? Because they were wth you through thick & thin?

Because they attended all your games and cheered you on? Because they set you up with women? Isn't that one of the reasons why they hang around you (the posse) and love you so much not because of their friendship but because of your money & success?

Are you afraid to piss them off? Afraid they will abandon you? Better yet, they may get you into some serious trouble. Grow up!!!

EXAMPLE: MICHAEL VICK. Poster Boy. Enough said. Look where his "boys" got him.

Sometimes you have to treat family and friends like a business.

Use Common Sense.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cholly,

quote:

I am not conerned about Bill Gates or Sean Fanning (Napster). These two were probably very good students in High School and got a good education.

There are millions of people around the world who are successful without college degrees. What is one of the basis of that success besides having a great idea (Microsoft & Napster) was a good solid High School education. You can't deny that and I applaud them.

My concern? Are for young African American males. The ones who have talent and skill but don't do well in high school. The ball player in question took the SAT three times and will he even pass the test? Maybe.

He probably will still play ball overseas and if he is good enough or has no serious injury after 1 year, maybe the NBA.

My focus is on a good education no matter what and the capacity to use that education (be it High School or College) along with that skill or talent to enhance your life and make yourself better.

You want to debate high school vs college and college educated people who fail (all people make money mistakes, were human) but the bottom line is, without a proper basic education or an advanced education, your chances may be nil.

Brandon Jennings? He is a top B-Ball player. What if he wasn't? What if he was just an average Joe without that solid High School education, where would he be? What would he do? We would have not even heard of him.

You are “throwing a lot of chili on this dog” (putting extraneous and unrelated issues into play) but I will address them one at a time. Firstly the kid (Brandon Jennings) passed the SAT; the NCAA does not want to accept his 2nd score because they claim there was too large of a difference between his 1st and 2nd scores. It is funny how the NCAA does not accept his score but the people at the SAT do. If I was the kid I would sue the NCAA to accept my score; either prove I cheated or accept the score.

You automatically assuming he went to a bad school, which I do not think you have any clue if he did or not, you just threw that out there.

Once again, what is stopping someone from continuing their education while in college? There are all types of distance learning opportunities and there are now on-line colleges.