Let’s keep things all-basketball related today at Manolith. At least from my fingers.
You heard about Jeremy Tyler last year, right? The kid who had no desire to finish high school, when he was clearly ready to play professional basketball? Unfortunately, if you stay in the United States, you have to at least finish high school.
A few years ago, and you could go straight to the NBA. Now, these educational and NBA dictators also make you attend one year of schooling at the college level if you want to stay in the USofA to play ASAP–the only other option? The foreign market.
Deciding to “forgo” his senior season at his San Diego area high school, the 18 year-old Tyler decided it was time to gain professional experience. He signed for a modest professional sum of approximately $140,000 and hopped over to Israel to join the team Maccabi Haifa.
The experiment was a bust. Averaging only 7 minutes a game, a couple of points and just over one rebound per game, Jeremy has decided to return home, ending his contract with the team. The 6-foot-11 standout failed to adapt to the league, and was obviously disappointed with his lack of playing time.
During February, he displayed his frustrations like a teenager, walking out on the team at halftime in silent protest of his involuntary inactivity.
Something tells me that Tyler will be just fine, and will go on to a rewarding basketball career in the United States of America. I’d say there’s a good chance that John Calipari has already contacted Tyler about coming to Kentucky for a one-and-done. Regardless, I hope Tyler has provided an example to other young prospects, that some things sound great and look great, but taste like lemons when put into life practice.
(Image Via: Max Preps)
