Truth & Rumors > NCAAB

Louisville commit to play in Europe

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06:52 AM ET 04.23 | Jeremy Tyler, a 6-foot-11 high school junior whom some consider the best American big man since Greg Oden, says he will be taking a new path to the N.B.A. He has left San Diego High School and said this week that he would skip his senior year to play professionally in Europe. Tyler, 17, would become the first United States-born player to leave high school early to play professionally overseas. He is expected to return in two years, when he is projected to be a top pick, if not the No. 1 pick, in the 2011 N.B.A. draft. Tyler, who had orally committed to play for Rick Pitino at Louisville, has yet to sign with an agent or a professional team. His likely destination is Spain, though teams from other European leagues have shown interest. A spokesman for Louisville said the university could not comment about Tyler.

New York Times

Rick Pitino, AP Rick Pitino, AP
April 23, 2009  08:26 AM ET

cant he see that going overseas is not the right game plan...they will forget about him soon as he get over there...look at the players that made the jump like that and see where they end up.

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April 23, 2009  09:06 AM ET

He must have real winners for parents letting their son not even finish high school to go overseas to play basketball. Nice one...

April 23, 2009  09:47 AM ET

Hate to say it kids, but its strictly about money. He is in my neck of the woods (well, beaches anyways) so I have some insight. He is a big-time player. While I am not a fan of any HS kid not finishing, when it comes down to the $$$ he will be making that will take care of his family, its easy to see the attraction from his point of view.

April 23, 2009  10:05 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

He must have real winners for parents letting their son not even finish high school to go overseas to play basketball. Nice one...

You must be a parent too.

Do we really need another bitter 6'11" Wal-Mart with bad knees?

I guess he won't to get the ladder for the top shelf.

April 23, 2009  10:45 AM ET
QUOTE(#7):

You must be a parent too.

5 month old girl.

April 23, 2009  10:59 AM ET
QUOTE(#8):

5 month old girl.

My Babygirl will be 7 in June Henry. Best 7 years of my life, by a landslide.

April 23, 2009  12:01 PM ET

Not sure if this is the best decision. At least finish high school

April 23, 2009  12:58 PM ET
QUOTE(#8):

5 month old girl.

Mine was born Aug 25. I can't do the math. She bleats like a baby sheep.

Sorta cute, looks like me. Was hoping for momma's looks. The boy is 6 and can make that fart noise by cupping the right hand under the left armpit and flapping the left arm. Now that's fun. That baby likes it too.

April 23, 2009  01:55 PM ET

According to his Dad, he will be working on his GED the next 2 years while he is playing overseas. He is skipping his last 2 years of school.. Parents supposedly owns some business in CA... His Uncle or Dad will be living with him while he is there

Heard he is a great talent and he is not getting better playing with and against scrubs... I dont have any problem with him doing it... He will be getting paid. its what he wants to do..so why go play 1 year of college and let them explot you for free

If he is good, they wont forget about him.. the player projected to go #2 (Rubio)is 18 yrs old and from Spain and he has been playng in the Euro league since he was 14

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April 23, 2009  02:18 PM ET

I am telling you.. if this guy is succesful or Jennings get drafted in the lotto this year.. more kids will start doing this.. especuially with all these AAU coaches looking to get paid

Get yur Ged and make about 200k a year.. and I went to college.. damn i shud have been practicing my J instead

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April 24, 2009  01:45 AM ET

so you people are saying if you go to college you have an automatic chance of playing in the league....i dont think so....what about alll the euros playin in the league now?? its a crap shoot either way but at least you are getting paid for it

April 24, 2009  01:25 PM ET

I wondered when this would happen. Makes sense.

What happens to a kid who is home schooled and has no graduating class? When can he get drafted? What happens if a kid (and this would be a rarity) skips a grade when he is young? What is his graduating class?

As bad as public schools are, is he going to miss much? High school prom--way overrated. If prom was the best day of your life, you either just finished HS or, well you can figure it out.

Maybe if enough kids do this, the NBA will scrap its stupid rule.

Living overseas can be a really cool experience if a person is willing to give it a legit chance. I have spent several weeks in Europe (and not the glamorous spots either). I wish I had had the chance when I was young.

As for the comment about the NBA forgetting about him, I am not an NBA follower but I believe something like 20% of the players are from overseas. It seems like the NBA was a pretty sophisticated scouting structure.

April 24, 2009  04:11 PM ET

Hmmm, interesting wonder if he has enough credits to graduate early if not his parents should be ashamed of themselves for not letting him graduate.. all they see is $$$$$ poor4 excuses for human beings if i ever see it

April 28, 2009  10:43 AM ET

This is absolutely tie right decision. If I were him I would do it. He is gonna make tons of dough with his bball and shoe contracts.

Education will ALWAYS be there if needs it. This is a lottery ticket with an exiration date. If he stayed in h.s. or went to LVille he would never have a chance to recoup that lost money.

And there is NO way he gets forgotten. NBA scouts are hitting Europe hard now. Gasol, Parker etc anyone?

 
April 28, 2009  10:44 AM ET
QUOTE(#18):

Hmmm, interesting wonder if he has enough credits to graduate early if not his parents should be ashamed of themselves for not letting him graduate.. all they see is $$$$$ poor4 excuses for human beings if i ever see it

Where do you get that his parents are forcing him to do this??

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