All week long I debated whether or not to write anything more than a short blurb on if a high school prep star making the choice to go into the profession he wants to before graduating high school was a big story. I have watched sports reporters on media outlets voice their view, and have read many columnists from around the net drop their 2 cents in. At the end of the day though, Jeremy Tyler has to do what is best for his family, and if any of the media were in his families financial situation, you may be thinking differently.
Tyler, for those who aren’t familiar, will more than likely be the number 1 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He is listed at 6’11, and roughly 200-215 lbs, yet has range, and can jump out of the gym. Louisville had been heavily scouting the San Diego star, however there were concerns if he would be eligible academically per NCAA standards. If Tyler were to look at all of his options, and he, for whatever reason, was not able to play his freshman year, then he is looking at going to junior college for a year or two. That was the way many players did it in the 90′s, because they had too.
Last year, when prep star Brandon Jennings went to Rome over college, and got paid not only a six figure salary from the overseas team, but also a $2 million dollar endorsement deal with Under Armour, many in traditional media screamed at the top of the mountain about how this was bad for basketball, and was sending the wrong signs. Now don’t get me wrong, I am an advocate for education. However, if these kids were only going to college because they had to, and really had no plans on the education piece, but rather were hired guns for a year by that athletic department to make millions in ad revenue off them, heading overseas to get paid makes sense in some cases.
Will Jeremy Tyler be the start of a wave of high school juniors that skip graduating high school to play overseas? I doubt it. Ricky Rubio, who will be a sure lottery pick this year, has been a pro since he was 15 years old in Spain. Not too many people in the media there are worrying about Rubio sitting in Algebra class.
Tyler in action – Video courtesy BallisLife.com
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Ricky has attended and graduated from high-school while playing proffesional basketball the last 3 years. Get your facts right mate!
That high school diploma isn’t needed for his next employer, the Washington Wizards.
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