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The Dagger

Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:20 pm EDT

Is Jeremy Tyler interesting?

By Eamonn Brennan

Excellent yearbook photo picture here. I think that's going to look really nice.

I honestly can't decide. Should I care about Jeremy Tyler?

Here are the reasons why I'm tempted to follow Tyler, who just finalized a one-year deal with Maccabi Haifa for $140,000. One: He's the first American basketball player to skip his final year of high school to go pro. That's interesting in a trail-blazing sort of way. Two: Tyler will for all intents and purposes be only the second test subject (after Brandon Jennings, naturally) for how the international route can affect a prospect's NBA chances. Three: Tyler can play; he averaged 28.7 points per game in his junior year of high school.

Now here is the one main reason I'm tempted to not care at all: Brandon Jennings. Had Jeremy Tyler made his (pretty brave, when you think about it) journey to Israel last year, or the year before -- before Brandon Jennings opted for Europe over college basketball -- I'd be pretty floored.

But this has been done before, and with much higher stakes. Jennings was paid $1.65 million for his year of services to Lottomatica Roma. Under Armour also signed him to a $2 million endorsement deal. Jennings was a surefire lottery pick, and so the suspense of whether a bad year abroad would hurt his status made his situation the barometer for anyone considering the same route in the future?

Tyler's stakes are far lower. His contract is smaller. His draft potential is more questionable. Heck, for all his talent, he's not Brandon Jennings. And the notion that Sonny Vaccaro is pushing an even-less-prepared kid into an even-more-ill-advised foray into international basketball makes me feel ... uncomfortable.

Perhaps the best answer to whether or not Tyler is care-worthy is: sort-of. (After all, I did just write a 500-ish-word blog post about him.) Let's keep our eye on the kid. But let's not go overboard.

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16 Comments

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  1. Karl Marx
    1. Posted by Karl Marx Thu Aug 13, 2009 1:06 pm EDT

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    And when he tears his ACL and can't play basketball he can get his GED w/ the money he made in Europe. Sad commentary on priorities. Go to college, be the big man on campus for 4 years, learn something other than how to read a defense.
    On the other hand I never came close to 140k/ year at 17.
    Commisioner Stern would appreciate it if you would showcase your talents in March to improve your marketability for the NBA.
  2. Gregory
    2. Posted by Gregory Thu Aug 13, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    First let me start by saying. That 147k is not alot of money in terms pro. basketball. but then again in middle class america today it could be a life saver in terms of saving one"s family from the ression were in and considering that poverty is twice if not more in minority communitys what it is in the rest of the country.thats saying alot also in order to do this he must have the blessing of his family which Iam sure if they could aford to waite one more year would most likely do so.After all there are millions of americans my self included who would gladly go to a diffrent country to make that kind of money for one year just to keep what little of the american dream we have befor we lose it.
  3. joker3pbs
    3. Posted by joker3pbs Thu Aug 13, 2009 3:40 pm EDT

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    dont know whats going on at home so I cant presume to intelligently talk about his situation. basketball wise, it isn't the greatest decision, but you never know what pushes people to do things...kid is 17, if you wanna blame anybody, blame the parents.
  4. Dbm2000
    4. Posted by Dbm2000 Thu Aug 13, 2009 6:59 pm EDT

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    It is quite simple.... People go to college not to learn but to make money when they get out....well; I hear there are some pretty good parties there as well....that whole independence thing ;-)
    When they get out they are bringing in 30k-50k a year for the next 5 years or so?? This kid can make what 90% of America makes in 5 years in 1 to 2 years!
    That is a tuff one?! If my stock broker didn’t make that deal with my portfolio.... I would fire him!
    If you want to be a Doctor...By all means...You better go to school!
    If you want to be a ball player...go where you are going to be able to achieve that...and by the quickest means possible (limited career lifetime).
    Oh...well you can go to college and make tons of Revenue for the school by becoming a brand name star...then blow out your ACL your senior year...and make that 30k a year for the next 5 years...good choice too. OR you can make a great sum of money, get the recognition and still develop as a play in Europe…then blow out your ACL and make that 30k a year ;-) ….but more then like the NBA.
    The kid has his head on straight...and will be able provide for his parents and family better then the majority of America can.
    It’s a business like anything else and the player understand they are the products and there is such a thing as a Product Life Cycle.
    Rock on baller!
  5. phillip m
    5. Posted by phillip m Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:42 pm EDT

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    Wow, when I first read about this story I thought people were gonna really get in this kids ass about making such a risky decision at such a young age. I really don't know what to think about this. On one hand the boy in dropping out of high school! On the other, besides obtaining "smarts" (an education) we go to school so that we can make money in the future. 140k ain't nothing to cry about either, that type of money for a single man with no kids can go a long long way, assuming that he isn't gonna just blow it all like its "hammer time". I think he should at least make a huge push to get his GED before he leaves the US though, and other than that I'm happy for the guy. Its a great opportunity and he will learn a lot. Yall are right though, he isn't B. Jennings. He's 6'11' 260lbs at 17! This is very beastly when it comes to power forwards and centers, so I'm searching for some video on te kid cuz if he has a few moves now, look out for him in 2011 cuz its on! P.S. if this was my little brother I'd probably kick his ass........
  6. Karl Marx
    6. Posted by Karl Marx Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:24 pm EDT

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    They can take your ability to play sports (Vick, Stallworth, JR Smith). They can never take your education. Money should not be the measure of a man's worth.
    Were he to play for a Championship ala Melo, or Rose, his NBA payday would be Sweeter. Shoe contracts and TV commercials come from marketing your "PRODUCT" on AMERICAN TV. That exposure comes from the ACC, SEC, Big East, Big 10, 12, and PAC 10. I never saw B Jennings play in Europe and don't care about him. I follow players, I watched play in college, especially those who excelled in March. I believe Curry has more Marketability than Jennings, both lottery picks.
    Time will tell who makes more, I bet on Curry.
  7. an-8-year-old
    7. Posted by an-8-year-old Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:26 pm EDT

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    To answer Joker, SI had an editorial on him. Basically, he was just way too good for high school, averaging nearly 30 a game over triple teams. He claims to have experienceed all high school has to offer (parties, prom, and such) and wants to go abroad to basically man up. Gutsy decision for sure. I don't know how well his teammates are paid in Israel, and the "small" (relatively speaking) contract might be to try not to upset his older teammates. Anyhow, best of luck!
  8. Khary H
    8. Posted by Khary H Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:08 pm EDT

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    First let me say I don't agree with him leaving high school early, but are we to say that he won't receive an education. By playing and practicing against grown and mature men on a daily basis, he will receive an education...his will just happen to be on the basketball court and not in a traditional classroom setting. No one ever comments on other young people who start careers without first going to college, so why the backlash on athletes, specifically basketball players. Also, whose to say that he won't get that traditional education. I have seen a couple of articles where he says that he will be working on his GED while in Europe and with the money he stands to make in the near future he can go to college later in life if it is really that important to he and his family. We have to remember college isn't for everyone! Remember again, there have been a number of athletes who didn't go to college who I think have turned into decent and wordly men (KG, Lebron, Jermaine O'Neal just to name a few). Let's give the guy a chance before we make our judgments.
  9. Karl Marx
    9. Posted by Karl Marx Fri Aug 14, 2009 1:48 pm EDT

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    Khary,
    You forgot Kobe, But the list of NBA success is much longer for those who have gone to college. While KG, Kobe, Moses, and Lebron are tremendous, that is the end of the list.
    There are BETTER coaches and players to learn from in the NCAA. A High school athlete would be better served by learning under Roy Williams, Coach K, Ben Howland, Self, Rick Barnes, Calhoun etc. These men are the best in the business and that is why the are in the NCAA.
    A huge part of success comes from understanding the game, that is what the Coach does. Teaches the players the finer points. You Can Not get that on your own, or as well in Europe.
    Why not go to college? It is paid for, room and board, tuition, books, everything. The Academic Education and the Athletic Education is far better. Athletic Trainers, Facilities ect. World Class! I guarentee Florida , UCLA, KU, Kentucky, has a better Athletic Department than Wherever this young man is going.
    The only reason not to go to college is because YOU DON"T HAVE THE GRADES. Even a 1 and done student does not have to complete a semester.
  10. Chris C
    10. Posted by Chris C Fri Aug 14, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    All arguments about material wealth aside, I really do feel sorry for this kid. He will be a pro player with a $140,000 salary without the benefit of a even high school education much less a college education. Thank about your time as a teenager. If you were given that salary would you have invested it wisely? Jeremy Tyler will surely be taken advantage of and milked for every penny he is worth because he lacks the education to avoid those scams. Education is not about obtaining material wealth it is about enriching your life and learning to think for yourself. The material wealth that is associated with a college education is simply a bonus.
  11. Khary H
    11. Posted by Khary H Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:48 pm EDT

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    Shaun,
    your points are well taken and I actually agree with you for the most part. As a former D1 athlete can tell you first hand that most of what you say is true. The one part I will disagree with is the learning of the finer points, their are enough outstanding coaches all across the globe at this point who can teach the game, if this young man is willing and open to being taught he will be able to learn those finer points in Europe too. My main point which I will say again is that COLLEGE ISN'T FOR EVERYONE! No one should be made to go if they don't want to go. Finally, let's save our comments for this kid until all of this plays out. Let him have a chance at success before he is torn down.
  12. Karl Marx
    12. Posted by Karl Marx Sun Aug 16, 2009 10:30 am EDT

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    Khary,
    Well Said.
  13. Giant
    13. Posted by Giant Sun Aug 16, 2009 12:26 pm EDT

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    Evidently this kid didnt have much parenting! Quit high school to play ball. If he gets hurt he still wont have a HS education and he could be a welfare person for the future---. Kids should not be able to play proball until they finish high school. If they are smart they'll continue to go to college and recieve an education. This is very sad to see happen. I wish him the best but it doesnt mean others should follow. Maybe he should get ahold of Pitino and take him with him.
  14. ray s
    14. Posted by ray s Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:51 am EDT

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    Go to college 4 years.......blah blah blah! Go tell that to yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki and Ricky Rubio. i'm TIRED of the hypocrisy when it comes to this age limit stuff
  15. Chuck S
    15. Posted by Chuck S Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:11 pm EST

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    Update, while not a bust yet, he is well on his way. His coach thinks he is lazy, his teammates cant stand him and he has no work ethic.....
  16. firstlast155
    16. Posted by firstlast155 Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:54 pm EST

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    Post 4 Dbm2000...People do go to college to learn...to gain marketable skills..It is really very simple, as I told my son, while waiting for a parent/teacher conference when he was in middle school. It is all about acquiring a skill that no one else has and everyone needs. At that time he could not even get a work permit (New York State) because he was to young. I told him even if he could get a job it would be flippin' burgers. Millions of people can do that, so that is why the wages are low. If you can acquire a marketable skill that pays "well" without getting a formal ,so be it.

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