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August 29, 2008 8:21:53 PM CDT

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Prospect's European Exile Ruffles Feathers

Posted Jul 10, 08 4:18 PM CDT in Opinion,  Sports 

(Newser) – The decision by a top high school basketball prospect to ditch his commitment to college and play professionally in Europe—thus thumbing his nose at the NBA, which bars players under 19—has observers up in arms, the Wall Street Journal's Daily Fix blog notes. Camps appear split into those ripping the NBA's age rule and those criticizing Brandon Jennings for a selfish, youthful misstep.

Jennings, who'd likely have been a top draft pick had he been eligible, will be back next year, one columnist writes, having improved his game and fattened his wallet: "It’s a ludicrous system at home that needs fixing." Another disagrees: “Most European teams aren’t going to be interested in babysitting 18-year-olds for the NBA for a year. They want players who are proven commodities.”

Source Wall Street Journal

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Jennings at the premier of a movie he starred in.   (Getty Images)
Brandon Jennings.   (Getty Images)
Brandon Jennings goes up for a dunk. He's just 6'2".   (Getty Images)
Jennings in action.   (Getty Images)
Jennings goes for it.   (Getty Images)
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basketball  • NBA  • Europe  • college basketball  • Arizona Wildcats  • Brandon Jennings


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