If Brandon Jennings, a former point guard phenom from Oak Hill Academy is successful in Europe, parents of blue chip high school basketball players get ready to pack your bags for trips overseas and Division 1 basketball beware.

    
     Jennings, a 6-0 165 point guard from Lakewood, CA, signed with Pallacenestro Virtus Roma of the Italian Pro League.  Jennings played at Dominguez High in California but before his junior year he transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, VA – the official development school for major Division 1 basketball.  In 2006, Jennings verbally committed to attend USC, after considering Connecticut, Arizona, Texas, Syracuse, Kansas, and UCLA.  Later, Jennings decommitted from USC to go to Arizona.

       
  Jennings’ decision to change schools is common, but going to play overseas out of high school is not.  Since high school players are not eligible for the NBA draft until one year from graduating, universities are forced to take “one-and-done” talent.  If the rule were not in place by the NBA, Jennings would have projected to be selected in the top 10 of this year’s draft.  Jennings is considered to be the number one point guard in the 2008 high school basketball class.

     
    What does this mean for parents and Division 1 basketball?  European scouts will be coming to a local high school game near you along with Division 1 recruits, but not holding hands.  Division 1 recruits will offer “scholarships”, but European scouts will offer “money” with no NCAA violations being made.  With European scouts offering money up front, single-parent families will be tempted, especially if high school players promise to still go to school. 

  
        It will be a win-win-win situation for all parties.  If European scouts acquire America’s blue chip high school basketball players, Division 1 basketball programs will still be great because there will be quality players who really would benefit from scholarships and may stay longer.  Less parents and student athletes would be tempted to take money “illegally” and European basketball will have more exposure – in translation, make more money.

      
    Jennings has already set a precedent by signing to play overseas.  Jennings signed a three-year contract with an option to leave after each year.  Jennings will be eligible for the NBA draft next season.

       
   There are reports stating that Jennings had tested low on his SATs and that is why he elected to play overseas.  If that is the case, it is not an issue because countless great people do not test well.  When Jennings was eight years old, his father committed suicide.  With the opportunity to make money now, who can blame Jennings, whether if that was the case or not, to turn pro early.

         
   Playing basketball overseas for an American under the age of 20 is not for everyone.  But Jennings’ situation is great because he has a support system intact.  Jennings will be accompanied by his mother, younger brother, play with 5 other American-born players – including Allen Ray, formerly of Villanova – and other English-speaking Europeans.  “I need a team that needs a point guard, a coach who would take the time to work with me, an American on the team who could show me the ropes, and playing time to show off my game,” said Jennings. 

        
    Other high school basketball players will follow Jennings footsteps, especially if they are as good as he is.  Even if Jennings needs to play out his contract to develop for the NBA, he still will be able to provide for his family.  Congratulations Brandon!  The future of basketball recruiting and scouting for high school basketball players is in Jennings hands and the world will be watching.

Written by Barry Barnes