Brandon Jennings won’t play for Arizona.
The No. 1 basketball player in his class, according to ESPN and Scout.com, has decided to make an unprecedented move to skip college and pursue a year-long professional career in Europe next season while he waits to be eligible for the NBA draft, Jennings’ attorney, Jeff Valle told ESPN.com’s Andy Katz Tuesday night in a text message.
“”Overseas it is,”” Valle wrote.
“”We’re disappointed in terms of Brandon’s decision, but we want to wish him the best of luck,”” UA head coach Lute Olson said through the UA athletic department Tuesday night. “”We hope that things turn out well for him in the future.””
Jennings’ scores for his third SAT exam are supposed to be released Friday – the ultimate factor as to whether he would be eligible to play in college – after it was postponed June 26 and last Saturday.
After taking the test the first time and failing to meet standards, Jennings took the test a second time and did remarkably better, forcing the NCAA to raise a red flag.
“”Although most scores are available on the first score release day, a small percentage might not be,”” a statement on Collegeboard.com says. “”If you fall in this small percentage, you will not see your scores online.””
But Valle said Jennings won’t wait for the test results to see if he qualified.
“”That’s a moot point now,”” Valle said. “”He’s not going to the University of Arizona. Brandon plans on going to Europe.””
Many European teams have expressed an interest in signing Jennings, Valle said, adding that Jennings’ family will consult with Sonny Vaccaro and likely sign with an agent to help string together a contract with a European team. Vaccaro has worked with Nike, Adidas and Reebok.
“”Without getting into specific numbers, the kid will do well,”” Vaccaro told the Los Angeles Times. “”He can be marketed immediately with shoe company money and the kid who (goes to Europe from high school) first will make an international splash.””
Kelly Williams, Jennings’ advisor, told CBSsports.com the point guard could net $1 million with a European contract and shoe endorsement deal.
“”In all honestly, I think Brandon wants options,”” Williams said. “”If he has the opportunity right now to make $800,000 from a team and get a shoe contract and make more than $1 million before he even goes into the (2009 NBA) draft, then why wouldn’t he do that?””
