Brandon Jennings goes to Europe, loses the flat top and makes $1 million

[jaybilaswho?]

For those of you who went to the McD's All-American game this past spring, you will remember that kid with the flat top that was going to go to Arizona. By now I am sure that you have read how he went over to Italy, instead of going to college, to prepare for the NBA. Whether or not he sparks a new movement remains to be seen, but check him out now.

http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/news/story?id=3685807

He lost the flat top and, through salary and endorsements, stands to rake in more than $1 million this year.

Will this catch on?

[MU B2002]

I would think this would catch on if he does well in Europe and is able to translate that into a solid draft pick (if he intends to return to the NBA).  I really hope this does not catch on because it me it says, "All I care about is the money.  I don't need an education."  Although as I type that, it is not much different than one and done players, well except for the $1MM.

[🏀]

I don't think many 18 year old kids are readily wanting to go live by their selves in Europe. That's a big jump, at least in college you have structure and teammates of the same age to rely on.

[sailwi]

Doesn't seem like a bad deal to me, live in one of the greatest cities in the world for a year and make a million dollars.  I suspect the bottom line on this will be can playing overseas develop a person as much as a year of Division 1 basketball, perhaps for these one and done types it won't make much difference or perhaps they could be exposed as not as ready for the NBA.  

I know some get very worked up about forsaking educational opportunities but the reality is all a 1 and done has to do is get grades the first semester that keep him eligible and if they take that approach not sure how much education they are really getting anyways.

[jaybilaswho?]

I don't think many 18 year old kids are readily wanting to go live by their selves in Europe. That's a big jump, at least in college you have structure and teammates of the same age to rely on.

There is structure overseas. The only thing that is missing from it is that you are far from your family. Other than that, teammates will be just as old as your potential college teammates. Some may be older than 5 years your senior, but it is relatively the same. You have the same structure over there. The team comps your place and travel arrangments (like mom and dad), and your traveling all the time anyway so you are surrounded by your teammates.

I agree with SailWi, can a player personally develop himself in the role of a professional athlete as much as he would develop from college (even if it is for 1 year)? I would say no, because as a pro you miss out on the youthful indiscretions and experiences of campus living.

[CAINMUTINY]

If you are good enough to play then there should be no reason to consider college; assuming that you are a lottery pick and will receive a guaranteed contract with options for multiple years.    In Jennings case he is more than talented enough to be a possible lottery pick and if he plays in a competitive will do himself just as much benefit as if were at Arizona, especially considering the fact that he would prepare himself for a longer pro season that frequently hits the road. 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I don't know if it will be the next big thing or not. (I'm hoping not).

To be honest, if a family was financially challenged, I think taking $1mill guaranteed instead of risking a major injury in college is worth it.

That much money can't solve every problem, but it can solve a lot of debt, housing, and basic quality of life issues for an entire family. 

Plus, if he does get seriously injured in Europe, he has more than enough money to come back and pursue his education.

With this said, if a family is better off (financially), I say going to college is well worth it because those years of development can really impact your life (inside and outside of basketball).

[esotericmindguy]

Why does he need an education???  If he's smart with his money, at the worst he plays in Europe for 5 years and makes 5 million untaxed dollars.....sounds like a deal to me.

[dwaderoy2004]

Why does he need an education???  If he's smart with his money, at the worst he plays in Europe for 5 years and makes 5 million untaxed dollars.....sounds like a deal to me.

But how can he be smart with his money without an education?

[sailwi]

There was a good article in the NY times a few Sundays ago about Jennings and his mom and one of his siblings are living with him in Rome so he is not all by himself.  He will never experience college life but living in Rome and seeing other parts of Europe can be educational in itself.  I seem to remember that European teams play 2x  week for a total of about 50 games in the regular season so their travel schedules are not as bad as the NBA and most of Europe is a 2 hour fight from anywhere else.

[jce]

But how can he be smart with his money without an education?

Alan Greenspan has a PhD and look how that worked out.

[downtown85]

Why does he need an education???  If he's smart with his money, at the worst he plays in Europe for 5 years and makes 5 million untaxed dollars.....sounds like a deal to me.

But how can he be smart with his money without an education?

who says taxes are zero in Europe?  In a place like Italy, I would be willing to bet that tax rates are higher than US tax rates.  In any event, U.S. citizens are obligated to file (and pay tax) to the IRS every year regardless of whether they live in the U.S or not.  We are the only country in the world with that stupid rule.   

[jmayer1]

who says taxes are zero in Europe?  In a place like Italy, I would be willing to bet that tax rates are higher than US tax rates.  In any event, U.S. citizens are obligated to file (and pay tax) to the IRS every year regardless of whether they live in the U.S or not.  We are the only country in the world with that stupid rule.   

A lot of the European teams pay the taxes for you.  I know that was a stipulation in Josh Childress' deal, not sure if Jennings has the same thing or not.

[77ncaachamps]

I posted about him a week or so ago: http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=10233.0

It seems like he's starting to pick up. (Click on his Euroleague link)

It may start a trend, but if players aren't smart they'll end up on lower tier teams which risk the possibility of not getting paid if investors suddenly pull out.

We'll see.

I hope the NBDL picks up...

[esotericmindguy]

A lot of the European teams pay the taxes for you.  I know that was a stipulation in Josh Childress' deal, not sure if Jennings has the same thing or not.

Huh, I thought it was tax free....

Jmayer1, do you like John Mayer....say what you want about his music and his ability to sleep with Jen A.; but that guy is a complete d bag.  Just sayin.

[jmayer1]

Huh, I thought it was tax free....

Jmayer1, do you like John Mayer....say what you want about his music and his ability to sleep with Jen A.; but that guy is a complete d bag.  Just sayin.

It is not tax free.  ESPN did a feature story on Childress about a week ago and there was some mention of it.

I have an uncle named John Mayer, but he is an alcoholic, not a singer; but good for the singer if he can pull all that sweet tail although his music does kinda blow.

[OneMadWarrior]

A few reasons why this route wont' catech on:
1) There are few teasm that are able to give their players consistent paychecks, after awhile a young kid livign in Europe may go broke if not paid on time
2) Very few will have the hype to be able to sign these contracts with foreign teams, more likely is that the 5-10 top players may consider goign over, of them probably only about 25% will want to eleave home at such a young age.
3) Mothers of many of these players will nto want their children unsupervised with money for such a long period of time
4) In many instances the game over there doesn't necessarily translate well to the pro game here, most guys form Europe have longer to wait before they contribute in the NBA for this reason
5) Contracts over there can egt iffy, and are ironclad, these kdis would have to watch themselves so they do not end up in a situation where they are unable to afford the buyout clause in many Euro League Contracts.

[The Man in Gold]

The other major reason it won't catch on here is the endorsement dollars.  Lottery 1 and done players like Kevin durant/Rose/etc. have tons of offers and exposure already built up from one year of NCAA hype.  Where Jennings will be coming back with far less notoriety from the average fan.  Within a few years it won't matter, but IMO he is trading cash now in exchange for less in the next year or two. (Assuming he would have qualified to play at UA)

Ultimately I don't see this catching on for more than a few kids.

[jaybilaswho?]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3715746

Exchange Student
The first American to go prep to pro by way of Europe, Brandon Jennings is getting quite an education overseas.


This is a good story about Jennings' life and development overseas.

Its too long to paste. Check it out if your interested. Its a good article.

[RawdogDX]

The other major reason it won't catch on here is the endorsement dollars.  Lottery 1 and done players like Kevin durant/Rose/etc. have tons of offers and exposure already built up from one year of NCAA hype.  Where Jennings will be coming back with far less notoriety from the average fan.  Within a few years it won't matter, but IMO he is trading cash now in exchange for less in the next year or two. (Assuming he would have qualified to play at UA)

Ultimately I don't see this catching on for more than a few kids.

i think if it 'catches on' where 1-3 top 100 players are going a year that would be a big deal.  That's a real drain on the talent pool.

[Bob "Big Daddy" Wild]

I think going to Europe is actually better experience than playing in college, for the reasons listed in the article.

You are treated like a man, not babied.  You play a 60 game schedule (less chance of rookie wall next year), you play against grown men and learn to be a part of a team.  No showboating, no being the go to guy.  He is being humbled and learning to be a professional.

Are you sacrifcing endorsement money?  Maybe, but Jennings is a bad example to compare to Durant.  He has less endorsement money because he signed with And1 - he and (I think) Sonny V have some master plan to make him the poster child for that brand and put them on the map...I'm not sure how it would have gone down if he signed with Nike.

Jennings is a very, very good player and will definitely be a lottery pick (barring injury).  He is no Kevin Durant though, so I don't think he would have received a mega endorsement deal no matter where he played out this one year.

If this Europe movement takes hold, and I think it will, it will most likely be for what people are saying, top 10 talent - the one and dones.  They are mercs anyway in college, so if they screw over a few of the big programs, so be it.