HS Senior Forgoing Sr Yr to go to Europe

[Flash3]

San Diego High School basketball star Jeremy Tyler recently announced he is going to forgo his senior year, rescind his commitment to Louisville and play professional basketball in Europe. By going to Europe before his senior season, Tyler is getting around the NBA age-limit rule, and will be eligible for the NBA Draft in 2010. While Tyler's decision is likely to be highly scrutinized, other youngsters' jump to pro sports has not raised as many eyebrows. Jennifer Capriati turned pro in tennis at age 13; Freddy Adu played his first pro soccer game at age 14; and Michelle Wie started competing in pro golf at age 16. Sunday, Outside the Lines examines Jeremy Tyler's decision to forgo his senior year to play professionally, and we examine the future of young athletes turning pro.

- http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/index

Was listening to this story this morning, and they had 3 guests debating the issue; an agent who's responsible for Tyler and other players who help these players, an educator from USC, and a lawyer. -- The educator was on the side of something like this is just crazy, and I happen to side with him, because yes a HS degree can always be had even if someone "fails" at his attempt at the $/fame, but he can never come back to the maturity phase which is an progressive progress as you're growing older.

Anyone else feel the same that this kid is making a mistake, as if you're talented as he is being said to be, what's another 2 years of seasoning as a person/man going to do?

[Teddy KGB]

This was posted a while back and iirc the consensus about him was that he's not actually as good as he's hyped to be and this is likely a mistake on his part

[02102007]

old man. look back 2, 3, 4, 5 or maybe 6 pages.

[KWSN-Men]

Apparently he's trying to go to Greece to either Panathinaikos or Olympiacos. It makes sense because these are probably the two biggest clubs in Europe right now. Most talk says they would be looking at him as 3rd string player.

http://www.sport-fm.gr/article/176056

translation:

http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... f%26sa%3DG

[penzias]

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=899885&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Unless we're talking about a new LeBron, and it seems unlikely, i think it would be a mistake chasing for a Euroleague team, let alone a contender like PAO, CSKA or Barcelona which i also doubt were willing to waste a spot in a 17 year old player.

http://thehoop.blogspot.com/2009/05/jer ... reece.html

People of the administration of Olympiakos and the coaching staff were asked earlier today regarding these rumors. They were asked during the 1st play-offs game against Maroussi and they said they have no knowledge of being contacted about Tyler.

[KWSN-Men]

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=899885&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Unless we're talking about a new LeBron, and it seems unlikely, i think it would be a mistake chasing for a Euroleague team, let alone a contender like PAO, CSKA or Barcelona which i also doubt were willing to waste a spot in a 17 year old player.

http://thehoop.blogspot.com/2009/05/jer ... reece.html

People of the administration of Olympiakos and the coaching staff were asked earlier today regarding these rumors. They were asked during the 1st play-offs game against Maroussi and they said they have no knowledge of being contacted about Tyler.

He would be nothing more than a 3rd string player for sure in either club. But it makes sense by far from a monetary issue on his side because there are no financial issues with players at all on those clubs. The clubs may have no interest in him, but again it makes perfect sense why he and his agent would have interest in them.

Still, let's say with Panathinaikos if Shermadini left for more playing time on loan to another club, then Tyler could probably take his spot as the 3rd string center. And it would not cost PAO much because they would also be getting cash for loaning out Shermadini.

[Joana]

But does he have a EU passport (just a rhetorical question)? If not, to believe top Euroleague clubs are interested is quite naive.

[KWSN-Men]

But does he have a EU passport (just a rhetorical question)? If not, to believe top Euroleague clubs are interested is quite naive.

He's 17. He can get a passport very easily with a big club because he's only 17.

[Joana]

But does he have a EU passport (just a rhetorical question)? If not, to believe top Euroleague clubs are interested is quite naive.

He's 17. He can get a passport very easily with a big club because he's only 17.

What? A passport from an European Union country? No, he can't.

[KWSN-Men]

But does he have a EU passport (just a rhetorical question)? If not, to believe top Euroleague clubs are interested is quite naive.

He's 17. He can get a passport very easily with a big club because he's only 17.

What? A passport from an European Union country? No, he can't.

Are not the rules different for people under 18?

[Joana]

The rules vary from country to country, but I don't think he'd have a quicker way to acquire an EU country citizenship due to his age.

http://livingingreece.gr/2007/11/08/eu- ... alaries-2/

[KWSN-Men]

The rules vary from country to country, but I don't think he'd have a quicker way to acquire an EU country citizenship due to his age.

http://livingingreece.gr/2007/11/08/eu- ... alaries-2/

Who said anything about a Greek passport? I am talking about Bulgaria, Macedonia, etc.

[Joana]

The rules vary from country to country, but I don't think he'd have a quicker way to acquire an EU country citizenship due to his age.

http://livingingreece.gr/2007/11/08/eu- ... alaries-2/

Who said anything about a Greek passport? I am talking about Bulgaria, Macedonia, etc.

Me too, check the link; the url is misleading - it's not about Greece exclusively. He won't be granted citizenship from an EU country just like that. Top teams won't waste a non-EU roster spot in a kid who's far from ready to contribute and will be looking to join the NBA in 2 years.

[KWSN-Men]

The rules vary from country to country, but I don't think he'd have a quicker way to acquire an EU country citizenship due to his age.

http://livingingreece.gr/2007/11/08/eu- ... alaries-2/

Who said anything about a Greek passport? I am talking about Bulgaria, Macedonia, etc.

Me too, check the link; the url is misleading - it's not about Greece exclusively. He won't be granted citizenship from an EU country just like that. Top teams won't waste a non-EU roster spot in a kid who's far from ready to contribute and will be looking to join the NBA in 2 years.

I'm not saying they will. I said it makes sense from his perspective.

[Joana]

Just a coincidence, but Pete Mickeal turned into a Bulgarian today. Just in time for TAU to sign another American player for the playoffs.

[Joana]

I'm not saying they will. I said it makes sense from his perspective.

From Tyler's perspective? Why? I think kids of his age need competition and playing time, otherwise they'll never fully develop their game. It's fine to be coached by Obradovic or Giannakis and going against players like Batiste or Vujcic in practices, but that will eventually hold him back (and I don't even know if he's ready enough to take any advantage of that at all, I've never seen him playing, but I doubt it). Anyway, he needs to play and in those ball clubs he won't be playing and nobody will care that much about his development.

[KWSN-Men]

I'm not saying they will. I said it makes sense from his perspective.

From Tyler's perspective? Why? I think kids of his age need competition and playing time, otherwise they'll never fully develop their game. It's fine to be coached by Obradovic or Giannakis and going against players like Batiste or Vujcic in practices, but that will eventually hold him back (and I don't even know if he's ready enough to take any advantage of that at all, I've never seen him playing, but I doubt it). Anyway, he needs to play and in those ball clubs he won't be playing and nobody will care that much about his development.

It was reported he's already negotiating with Maroussi.

[Apollo64]

I'm not saying they will. I said it makes sense from his perspective.

From Tyler's perspective? Why? I think kids of his age need competition and playing time, otherwise they'll never fully develop their game. It's fine to be coached by Obradovic or Giannakis and going against players like Batiste or Vujcic in practices, but that will eventually hold him back (and I don't even know if he's ready enough to take any advantage of that at all, I've never seen him playing, but I doubt it). Anyway, he needs to play and in those ball clubs he won't be playing and nobody will care that much about his development.

I don't think he mainly cares about playing time or becoming better in Europe, what interests him is to make some much needed money asap for him and his family. He probably considers an extra year in school and another in the NCAA as a complete waste of time from a career perspective (can be argued if it is a wrong or right choice of course). He is going to jump to the NBA anyway in a couple of years, progress or no progress, and his draft stock won't be hurt, i mean look at Jennings.

[wilt]

I don't think he mainly cares about playing time or becoming better in Europe, what interests him is to make some much needed money asap for him and his family.

From all reports i´ve read so far his family isn´t in need for money at all, his father being a pretty well situated man. The only monetary issue that i´ve read about is that he´s going to be insured against suffering a major injury playing under a Pro Contract.