Brandon Jennings: The Trendsetter
Top-5 prospect Sidney won't go to Europe but Jennings may convince others
By: Lance Madden
Issue date: 7/16/08 Section: Sports
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Until now.
The tattoo across his back has been done before; his high-top hair cut he sported for the McDonald's All-American game was stolen from 1980s hip-hop duo Kid N' Play; and his between-the-legs crossover is courtesy of Tim Hardaway, who spent 14 seasons in the NBA.
"It's the way to get 'em," Jennings says in a YouTube video in which he shows his dribbling skills. "You gotta go between the legs and act like you're going that way. Then you just cross over real fast. That's the Tim Hardaway."
Jennings' decision to play for a year in the professional ranks overseas rather than play for a major university program in America, however, makes him the first player of his caliber to do so. Originality at it's best.
According to Italian Web site basketcentral.it, Jennings has received an offer from Lottomatica Roma - which went 8-12 last season - for a contract that would bound him for more than a season. But the plan is for Jennings to spend a year overseas while he becomes eligible for the NBA draft (19 and a year out of high school). Jennings is expected to sign with a European-based agent, get an American-based marketing director for sneaker company deals and secure a contract with a European or Israeli team within the next two weeks, according to brandonjennings.net.
Some think Jennings will be a trendsetter and top high school recruits in the future will forego a year in college in favor of experience and a paycheck in Europe while they wait to be eligible for the NBA draft.
Los Angeles native Renardo Sidney, Rivals.com's No. 4 player in the class of 2009, said in a phone interview that it's not the case for him.
"That's a good idea but I want to go to college," said Sidney, who lists Texas A&M, ASU, Memphis, USC and UCLA in his top college choices. "I want to be a college student before I start the rest of my life. It's a good idea but I don't think it's for me.
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