WRAL Sports Fan

Prep hoopster finds way to the pros

By Brad Simmons
Apr 23, 2009

As we sit here and “wonder” if Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Gerald Henderson are going to leave school and pursue an NBA career, word of another early departure has grabbed headlines. Jeremy Tyler, a junior out of San Diego, will forgo his senior season to pursue his professional career.

Here’s the thing: Tyler is a junior all right, from San Diego High School. The five-star recruit will skip his senior season of prep ball and head overseas until he is eligible for the NBA draft in two years. He has not signed with an agent or any team, but several European teams have shown interest.

The 6’-foot-9center is ranked as high as No. 3 for his position and had verbally committed to Louisville.

One of last years top recruits Brandon Jennings skipped college to go overseas for the early payday and the pro experience. But, this is an unprecedented move for a prep basketball player to drop out of high school and turn pro.

Both these decisions were driven by the NBA rule that prohibits players from jumping straight from high school to the league. I appreciate what the league is trying to do with this rule but the NBA needs to realize they can make all the rules in the world but there will always be people that will find a way around them.