High School Junior Makes Risky Jump

By Clark Francis, MaxxAthlete

The big story that everybody is talking about right now is the fact that 6-foot-11 junior Jeremy Tyler from San Diego High School has decided to forego his final year of high school and play professionally in Europe for the next two years.

Obviously this is important, because Tyler will become the first player ever (ready or not) to skip his senior year of high school and play professionally overseas. If Tyler turns out to be a smashing success, it could be as dramatic a game changing trend as when Kevin Garnett became the first player in almost 20 years to declare hardship for the NBA Draft in 1995. If you will recall, Moses Malone in 1974, Darryl Dawkins in 1975, and Bill Willoughby in 1976 were the only three players to ever skip college and go straight from high school to the NBA prior to when Garnett made the move in 1995 and Kobe Bryant followed suit in 1996.

However, if Tyler fails, it could send an important signal to future players that playing overseas against men can be a tough life--especially when you are an immature teenager who has yet to show that you can consistently dominate against the top players at the high school level. I just loved his quote in the New York Times when he said

"Nowadays people look to college for more off-the-court stuff versus being in the gym and getting better. If you're really focused on getting better, you go play pro somewhere. Pro guys will get you way better than playing against college guys."

You also can be exposed a lot easier playing against pros. This is a guy who should be ranked No. 1 in the junior class nationally, but checks in at No. 5, because he's always been an underachiever, doesn't have a great motor, and has a tendency to be very inconsistent and not live up to the hype when playing against great players. We agree with Sonny Vaccaro about Tyler having the potential to be a 10-year All-Star, but feel like Tyler is being set up to fail because he's going to have a rude awakening when he starts playing overseas. And, if you don't believe it, just ask 6-2 Brandon Jennings, whose quotes in January apply perfectly to the subject at hand.

"First thing, if you're not mentally tough, you have no chance," said Jennings. "Their passion here is unbelievable. If you get on a good team, you won't be scoring 35 points. There will be ups and downs. If you're mentally tough, you will succeed. I knew that with this team we had a chance of winning the Euroleague and Italy."

Not only is Tyler not mentally tough, but he also is still just a baby when compared to the men that he's going to playing against. As a result, we think the chances of his coming back and being the top pick in the 2011 NBA Draft are slim and none. As a matter of fact, we'll be surprise if Tyler even gets off the bench during his first year. And, it looks like Vaccaro agrees, as he's quoted saying

"Tyler could shuttle between his professional team and it's development squad for 18-year-olds,” Vacarro said. “So, if Tyler who turns 18 in June, struggles early against professional men, he will be able to play and practice with the younger team."

Tyler also does not yet have the skills, footwork, and post moves necessary to get it done at the college level, much less professionally. In other words, this is more about his potential and making money off the kid as fast as possible. There are probably those who will think that whoever is advising Tyler should be arrested for child abuse. But it's also hard to say no when Tyler may be able to command a six-figure salary based on his size, athleticism, and potential.