A report on ESPN.com tonight said that Brandon Jennings, the McDonald's All-American point guard from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., who played his first two seasons at Dominguez High, would not be playing for the University of Arizona basketball program as a freshman and would explore opportunities of playing in Europe while awaiting the 2009 NBA Draft.
Based on what multiple NBA scouts and scouting directors have told me, i'm not so sure that is the best option for Jennings.
They think Jennings could only hurt his stock while playing against high-level competition in Euriope at such a young age.
It wouldn't surprise me if Jennings ends up signing with a high-profile agent who understands exactly what those NBA guys mean. He would then hire a "trainer" for Jennings who would work him out behind the scenes in preparation for the individual workouts with the NBA franchises that he would participate in next June prior to next year's draft.
Those same NBA guys believe Jennings would have been better served (NBA stock- and preparation-wise) by getting himself academically eligible to play for Coach Lute Olson's Arizona Wildcats for at least one season, ala the "one and outs" that dominated last month's draft, including Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo and Kevin Love, who were four of the first five players chosen.
A very good analysis of Jennings frank. I agree with everything you said here. It is really stupid for people like Sonny Vacarro for praising his decison these people are not looking for the best interest for Jennings. Keep up the good work!
Vik