World of Sports: Beauty School Drop Out, Go Back to High School: Athlete Addition

The first to take the unconventional method of going pro straight out of high school was Brandon Jennings of Oak Hill Academy last season.  Jennings, arguable the best HS class of 2008 Guard, had trouble making SAT scores.  He had originally committed to the University of Arizona until Jennings shocked the world.  Jennings signed a $ 1.8 million contract with Lottomatica Roma. His decision to go overseas rested on the NCAA/NBA ruling that made him and all high school seniors ineligible for the NBA at the age of 18.  But what if the athlete just can not wait?  What if their family needs the money?  Now that leads the story to Jeremy Tyler, a high school Junior at San Diego High School . As a sophomore, last season,  Jeremy Tyler already had an NBA ready physic at 6'11 and 260 lbs.  Tyler also averaged 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 blocks as a sophomore.  Its clear to see that Tyler dominated at the high school level and was noted as being "the best player in the country" on a this youtube video  entitled " MY LIFE - WITH JEREMY TYLER".  

Having received many accolades such as Player of the Year and more, Tyler was flooded with recruitment from top schools everywhere.  This season he committed to Louisville. This is not the first time Louisville has lost a recruit to pro basketball.  Sebastian Telfair committed to Louisville until he declared for the 2004 NBA draft.  Telfair, as well as others, could have been the reason for the NBA age restriction.  The NBA only added a requirement for the jobs they were offering just like other professions do.  But to others, the restriction is a right to gain a job denied thus disregarding their right to pursue a career and make a living.   Other countries and professions have prodigies that skip levels to work at young ages. Among these professions are acting, tennis, music, basketball (China, Europe), golf.  The difference could be that while these professionals are working, they are also in the process of education while being paid with insured money.  There are just too many “if’s” in this equation to be sold on this method of going pro.

On the basketball side of things, Tyler’s game could be well suited for the European style of play.  Tyler's game can be described super athletic American big man added with a Euro big man flair and complimented with a ferocious mentality. He is a Power Forward that can shoot from the outside and can still post up to give a team easy buckets.  At absolute best, he could be a mixture between Pau Gasol and Tim Duncan yet more athletic. At better, Tyler could be a Drew Gooden. At absolute worst, he could be A. Johnson (which really is not that bad). In just two seasons, at the grand age of 18, Tyler could be the Number one pick of the NBA draft if he grows as a pro on and off the court. However, in order to keep his stock up, Tyler must not conform too much to the European big man style of play and keep his low post offensive skill and only add a Euro touch. 

Opinion

Foregoing his senior year may not be a smart decision.  Tyler will become another African American drop out and he will not have his high school diploma. He will have to stay dangerously healthy in the next three years. Quick bucks are not always a good career decision. Down the road, he will need an education whether or not he becomes the number one pick of the NBA draft or if he has a 30 point game in his first outing.  Education is a privilege that is lightly cherished by some Americans.  In life, sometimes experience is everything and it takes time to grow.  Although Tyler may look physically ready to rip an NBA court, his mind could need time to grow.  The NCAA college life is arguably one of the best ways to cultivate the American Style big man he is.