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This guy Jennings sure is enterprising. I think he may set a new trend.
I wish I had thought of these options when I was graduating from high school. Not that I was going to be a basketball player, but the idea of going abroad to study at a university in Europe (or Asia) instead of the US would have been intriguing.

I am surprised that he's failing school. Basketball players are typically smart dudes and Los Angeles has one of the best public school systems in the country.

$600,000 or nothing... not too hard of a call

And get to spend a year in italy ... chillin on the Med with the hotties. gotta like it.

That's devastating enough that WHITEY will have to take another year off.

FInally a kid with INTELLIGENCE

he is now a PROFESSIONAL.
he will earn his contract, ENDORSEMENTS, get real life experience

all without ever stepping foot into college.

good for him. realizing that he needs to take advantage of his ASSETS-
his physical ability while he can

Now comes NBA collusion. Once NCAA pays them under the table, the NBA will turn away from these kids or at least not draft them in the first round. This will "force" them to play by the crooks, err, I mean NCAA's rules.

Agree with jgb one million percent on this. The NBA's rule is just wrong so props to Brandon for getting that money.

It used to be that athletics in colleges and universities were incidental to learning and that most kids aspired to education and used their athletic ability to help them get it. Now, college athletics are cynically all about money and really not at all coupled with education . That's too bad because athletics and the money it gets you in the business of sports will come and go, but education is enriching and forever. I suppose this kid made the practical choice, but I sincerely hope that this doesn't set a further trend. There are too many people now running up and down basketball courts who know from nothing.

Get rid of the mandatory one-year in college rule. The NCAA makes enough money as it is.

PS I forgot to say that I also applaud this kid for going to Italy, since that will broaden his horizons considerably. Money is by no means everything.

I'm surprised that the ACLU hasn't been involved with the NBA's rule on age. CLEARLY a case of age discrimination. What other job are you aware of that won't let you become an employee solely on your age??? A high schooler wanting to come out needs to sue the crap out of the NBA.

And George Washington, most people go to college b/c it usually increases your earning potential. If your earning potential is exponentially increase right out of high school, why go to college? It would be logical to make your money, THEN go back to school.

http://www.dba-oracle.com/t_increased_earnings_income_bachelors_ masters_doctorate.htm

The average *lifetime* earnings of someone with a Bachelor's is $1.2 million. LIFETIME. This kid will reach HALF that in about 5 months worth of work. LESS THAN HALF A YEAR. The average lifetime income of someone with a Master's is $2.5 mil. After his first couple years in the league, he'll be set. This isn't rocket science, this is common sense.

That is:

http://www.dba-oracle.com/t_increased_earnings_income_bachelors_ masters_doctorate.htm

Dang it, keeps truncating....

http://www.dba-oracle.com/

add the second part after the forward slash...

t_increased_earnings_income_bachelors_masters_doctorate.htm

there are no limits on practice time and can put in all the hours he wants to develop. if he does develop slow he is getting paid and can take a few years. he'll still be young enough to play NBA ball. I think more kids will do this especially if he gets drafted high and becomes even a decient player. pretty smart move.

And George Washington, most people go to college b/c it usually increases your earning potential. If your earning potential is exponentially increase right out of high school, why go to college? It would be logical to make your money, THEN go back to school.

whats77inaname |

In addition to major, all college students have to transit core requirements that actually force them to learn more about themselves and the world. In fact, going to college is not all about earning. If people simply wanted to do that, they could go to DeVry or technical schools.

I'm surprised that the ACLU hasn't been involved with the NBA's rule on age. CLEARLY a case of age discrimination. What other job are you aware of that won't let you become an employee solely on your age??? A high schooler wanting to come out needs to sue the crap out of the NBA.


whats77inaname | 07/17/08, 10:19 AM


Ummm... the NFL requires you have to be out of high school for 3 years

Get that money man... These colleges are ripping these kids off. Making millions off of them and have them riding around campus on a bicycle broke... I hope all the up and coming stars chose to do this... Anything that circumvents the system and sticks it to 'THE MAN' i'm all for...

Regarding Age discrimination....
- I do agree- the rule shouldn't be 'age' it should be (and is) 1 year after your HS class graduates......

This though is not 'discribination- the NBA is a company-
there are other 'companies'- european leagues, CBA, etc

The rule doen't preclude the kid from earning a living-
just from being eligible to play in ONE league- they can play elsewhere

It is a BRILLIANT move for the NBA-
they get more scouting time, and teams don't have to 'waste' picks & DOLLARS on 'prospects' that may not pan out