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The Daily OrangeMBB | Skipping school
Brandon Jennings chose Europe over college. Will others follow?
By Michael Bonner
Posted: 11/11/08, 5:21 AM EST Section: Sports
James Southerland was in the same spot as Jennings last year, but Southerland didn't turn to "Plan B." Southerland signed a letter of intent to play for SU this season but, like Jennings, academics prevented him from suiting up for the Orange. Instead of heading overseas, Southerland went to Notre Dame Prep School to fully focus on improving his SAT scores.
Of course, Southerland's situation is different. The small forward doesn't possess Jennings' immense talent. European teams probably wouldn't have had much interest in Southerland.
Even if Europe was an option, Southerland said he wouldn't bite.
"My main goal with playing basketball was to go to college and get a free education," Southerland said. "There's no place like college. The experience, the people I don't think you'd get that overseas like you do in college. Maybe he just wanted to start a trend. Maybe do his own thing, get people to talk about something."
But while Southerland would likely be overwhelmed by European talent, other blue-chip recruits might have the ability to transition overseas. At the very least, Jennings' decision to go abroad exposed another route for top high school prospects.
"I do think that that's going to become an option," said South Florida head coach Stan Heath. "To be honest with you there will be some great players that don't experience college basketball but I don't see that having any affect on this game."
Smith said Jennings' original plan was to continue his career in Italy as if he were at Arizona: stay one year, and then submit his name in the NBA Draft. But if Jennings isn't a definite first-round pick, he could return to Lottomatica Virtus Roma for another year of development.
But in playing against older, more developed players in European competition, Jennings runs an inherent risk.
"He might go over there and have a tough time and struggle," Heath said. "He might get exposed. … All of a sudden he may be a guy projected out of college to be a top 5 pick and now all of a sudden he falls down that list. It could happen. So I think a lot will be learned as things turn out with Brandon."
Of course, Southerland's situation is different. The small forward doesn't possess Jennings' immense talent. European teams probably wouldn't have had much interest in Southerland.
Even if Europe was an option, Southerland said he wouldn't bite.
"My main goal with playing basketball was to go to college and get a free education," Southerland said. "There's no place like college. The experience, the people I don't think you'd get that overseas like you do in college. Maybe he just wanted to start a trend. Maybe do his own thing, get people to talk about something."
But while Southerland would likely be overwhelmed by European talent, other blue-chip recruits might have the ability to transition overseas. At the very least, Jennings' decision to go abroad exposed another route for top high school prospects.
"I do think that that's going to become an option," said South Florida head coach Stan Heath. "To be honest with you there will be some great players that don't experience college basketball but I don't see that having any affect on this game."
Smith said Jennings' original plan was to continue his career in Italy as if he were at Arizona: stay one year, and then submit his name in the NBA Draft. But if Jennings isn't a definite first-round pick, he could return to Lottomatica Virtus Roma for another year of development.
But in playing against older, more developed players in European competition, Jennings runs an inherent risk.
"He might go over there and have a tough time and struggle," Heath said. "He might get exposed. … All of a sudden he may be a guy projected out of college to be a top 5 pick and now all of a sudden he falls down that list. It could happen. So I think a lot will be learned as things turn out with Brandon."
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