Brandon Jennings is jumping over to Europe straight from high school. A move like this has never been seen before, and if Jennings succeeds in Europe we could see some huge changes in basketball.
Brandon Jennings officially signed in Italy today, effectively angering many Arizona Wildcat fans and the team's coach Lute Olson. Olson, like many college coaches, is sick of "one and done" players that have become the trend since the NBA instituted its latest collective bargaining agreement. Olson won't even get the chance to coach Jennings for a year because he is skipping college to go to Europe where he will earn a salary and can sign endorsement deals. This is a groundbreaking move by the point guard from Oak Hill Academy as he is taking a trip across the pond where he will play for a year before, presumably, entering the NBA draft.
The impact of this move will depend on the success or failure of Jenning's move. Jennings will need to mature quickly both as a basketball player and a man because playing in Europe won't be easy. However, the change for Jennings will be miniscule if his transition between the continents goes smoothly. Other star high school players will surely follow his path because of the financial advantages, but what will be the impact back in the States if this trend develops?
Jacob Leibenluft of Slate Magazine suggests that if more American prep stars head to Europe; more NBA scouts will be on European sidelines and that will have implications beyond the young players planning to enter the NBA draft, "veteran playersa€"whether they're European or American by birtha€"would get more chances to impress NBA reps". After 11 European players were drafted in 2008, it seems like teams are much more open to drafting players coming from Europe and this will only increase with more American born players going to Europe before the NBA.
That leaves less spots in the NBA draft for players coming from the NCAA, but that probably won't have a large effect on player's choices to play college basketball. Many will still look to commit for several years and develop their game and enjoy the experience of a college campus. The most talented players in the nation may not play college basketball, but the fans will still be there, "The nature of college basketball . . . has ensured that fans root for schools rather than individuals". Even when LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett skipped college; there was a high interest level in the sport. The larger effects will occur after player's finish playing college basketball. Fewer players will be drafted out of college and instead of turning to the NBA Developmental League they will turn to Europe.
If more players continue to get drafted out of Europe then undrafted players from America can go to Europe to play against grown men and typically tougher competition. They can apply for the draft one more time after they play in Europe with the hopes to better their chances of being drafted. Since few players have had success in the NBA after playing the D-League; Europe may be a more attractive alternative. Not to mention they can earn more money in Europe because of higher salaries and the value of the Euro compared to the American dollar.
A scary possibility that could occur with more young American players in Europe is that agents would have the right to sign players and give them as many gifts as they would like. This would help to avoid another OJ Mayo type scandal, but it also gives the agents an astounding amount of power over these young men. Agents are going to love American prep stars in Europe because the players can get paid right away and correspondingly the agents get paid as well. Many in and around professional basketball have been weary of sports agents and the agents would have more influence over the decisions of players in Europe because there are far less restrictions.
Of course none of this will occur if the collective bargaining agreement is rewritten after the 2010-11 season. One man that will have a large say in the changes to the collective bargaining agreement is David Stern. He has remained quiet about Brandon Jennings decision so far (Tim Donaghy is clearly on his mind right now, as he should be), and his opinion is vital. He could like Jennings' decision because he has made it known that he would like the NBA to transcend into Europe, but he could also frown upon Jennings' decision because it could destroy the Developmental League. It seems obvious that the collective bargaining agreement will be amended in some way, but if players still find it more useful to play in Europe then we will see a huge change in the basketball world; from top to bottom.
Zach Bowers
zacharybowers@draftnation.com
Original Story:
http://nba.draftnation.com/news/Big_Move....
Brandon Jennings officially signed in Italy today, effectively angering many Arizona Wildcat fans and the team's coach Lute Olson. Olson, like many college coaches, is sick of "one and done" players that have become the trend since the NBA instituted its latest collective bargaining agreement. Olson won't even get the chance to coach Jennings for a year because he is skipping college to go to Europe where he will earn a salary and can sign endorsement deals. This is a groundbreaking move by the point guard from Oak Hill Academy as he is taking a trip across the pond where he will play for a year before, presumably, entering the NBA draft.
The impact of this move will depend on the success or failure of Jenning's move. Jennings will need to mature quickly both as a basketball player and a man because playing in Europe won't be easy. However, the change for Jennings will be miniscule if his transition between the continents goes smoothly. Other star high school players will surely follow his path because of the financial advantages, but what will be the impact back in the States if this trend develops?
Jacob Leibenluft of Slate Magazine suggests that if more American prep stars head to Europe; more NBA scouts will be on European sidelines and that will have implications beyond the young players planning to enter the NBA draft, "veteran playersa€"whether they're European or American by birtha€"would get more chances to impress NBA reps". After 11 European players were drafted in 2008, it seems like teams are much more open to drafting players coming from Europe and this will only increase with more American born players going to Europe before the NBA.
That leaves less spots in the NBA draft for players coming from the NCAA, but that probably won't have a large effect on player's choices to play college basketball. Many will still look to commit for several years and develop their game and enjoy the experience of a college campus. The most talented players in the nation may not play college basketball, but the fans will still be there, "The nature of college basketball . . . has ensured that fans root for schools rather than individuals". Even when LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett skipped college; there was a high interest level in the sport. The larger effects will occur after player's finish playing college basketball. Fewer players will be drafted out of college and instead of turning to the NBA Developmental League they will turn to Europe.
If more players continue to get drafted out of Europe then undrafted players from America can go to Europe to play against grown men and typically tougher competition. They can apply for the draft one more time after they play in Europe with the hopes to better their chances of being drafted. Since few players have had success in the NBA after playing the D-League; Europe may be a more attractive alternative. Not to mention they can earn more money in Europe because of higher salaries and the value of the Euro compared to the American dollar.
A scary possibility that could occur with more young American players in Europe is that agents would have the right to sign players and give them as many gifts as they would like. This would help to avoid another OJ Mayo type scandal, but it also gives the agents an astounding amount of power over these young men. Agents are going to love American prep stars in Europe because the players can get paid right away and correspondingly the agents get paid as well. Many in and around professional basketball have been weary of sports agents and the agents would have more influence over the decisions of players in Europe because there are far less restrictions.
Of course none of this will occur if the collective bargaining agreement is rewritten after the 2010-11 season. One man that will have a large say in the changes to the collective bargaining agreement is David Stern. He has remained quiet about Brandon Jennings decision so far (Tim Donaghy is clearly on his mind right now, as he should be), and his opinion is vital. He could like Jennings' decision because he has made it known that he would like the NBA to transcend into Europe, but he could also frown upon Jennings' decision because it could destroy the Developmental League. It seems obvious that the collective bargaining agreement will be amended in some way, but if players still find it more useful to play in Europe then we will see a huge change in the basketball world; from top to bottom.
Zach Bowers
zacharybowers@draftnation.com
Original Story:
http://nba.draftnation.com/news/Big_Move....
