MIAMI, Fla. - McDonald’s All-American Mason Plumlee (Christ School, N.C.) has a lot of respect for Brandon Jennings.
Brandon Jennings was MaxPreps 2007-08 National Player of Year.
File photo by Kevin Yen
The 6-foot-11, 220-pound Plumlee, an Indiana native, doesn’t have much in common socially with the 2008 National Player of the Year, a 6-3 inner city kid whose father committed suicide near the time he was born.
But Tuesday Plumlee, ranked 25th in the MaxPreps Class of 2009 national recruiting list, called Jennings a pioneer, in the mold of a Curt Flood or Jackie Robinson.
Jennings, found out late last spring that he didn’t academically qualify for college – he had verbally committed to Arizona.
So rather than go to prep school, junior college or take the year off, and aided by of all people famed sports marketing/shoe man Sonny Vaccaro, he signed a $-multi-million contract with the Club Lottomatica Roma of the Italian League.
The road hasn’t been easy.
As documented this week in the HBO series “Real Sports,” Jennings has experienced loneliness, sporadic play and culture shock while averaging less than 10 points per game.
It’s a far cry from his almost ridiculous numbers at Oak Hill Academy (Va.) where he averaged a reported 38.7 points, 11.5 assists, 8.1 rebounds and 13 steals per game as a senior.
Duke-bound Plumlee (32) is a big fan of Jennings.
Photo courtesy of McDonalds
But then this is a faraway land against grown burly men.
“I give him a lot of credit,” Plumlee said. “A lot of people say if I got offered all that money then I’d go to. I don’t think they appreciate how many struggles he had to go through.
“Personally, I wouldn’t do it – now that somebody has already done it (laugh).”
Elite American prep players – ones projected for the NBA - have been monitoring Jennings all season and considering his path.
With the McDonald’s All-American Game, the NCAA Final 4 Tournament and the HBO special all occurring this week, the Jennings move has become even more topical.
No one has committed to following his footsteps, at least for now, waiting perhaps to see where he ends up in the June 25 NBA draft.
Unlike Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant before him, Jennings couldn’t be drafted last June because of the 2007 NBA rule stipulating eligibility only at age 19 or after one season in college.
Jennings can opt out of his three-year contract with Lottomatica after this season, which ends a week before the draft.
We talked with more than a dozen McDonald’s All-Stars this week and all indicated that college was a better choice for them.
But then again, not all have necessarily qualified for college.
Sidney said he is absolutely committed to USC.
File photo by Nicholas Koza.
Like Jennings, some won’t know their college test scores until later this spring. The overseas path may then look golden. For now it seems cloudy.
“I’m very happy for Brandon – he’s doing his thing over there,” said USC-bound 6-10 forward Renardo Sidney (Fairfax HS, Los Angeles, Calif.). “It was a good choice for him and his family. It’s a great option to go down and make money. If you can’t go to school and play the game you love. It’s a great opportunity to see just where you stand.”
Sidney, the nation’s No. 3 recruit, said his college plans are firm.
“No, absolutely, I’m not changing my mind,” he said. “I love California. I love Tim Floyd. I love the players there so that’s where I’m going.”
Xavier Henry (Putnam City HS, Oklahoma City, Okla.) was all signed and sealed to go to Memphis until Tuesday when coach John Calipari high-tailed it to Kentucky.
Henry, the No. 5 recruit, has asked out of his letter – presumably it will be granted – and plans to start the recruiting process all over again Monday. Overseas is not an option for him, he said.
“I say it has to be a very good reason why you’d have to leave, like financial help or something, to go all the way to Europe,” he said. “Otherwise I think kids should attend college to get an education because that can further help your life. And then if you’re fortunate enough to go to the NBA, go to the NBA.”
But some believe Jennings is getting better training in Europe than he would have in college. The players there are bigger and stronger and some believe, even more skilled.
“It’s a big jump (to Europe),” said Oklahoma-bound Keith “Tiny” Gallon (No. 10), who played with Jennings at Oak Hill. “That’s like going to the NBA, but just overseas.”
McDonald’s East Co-Coach Mark Lieberman said the training here in college is superior, without the cultural challenges.
“I think the college game is fantastic and to experience that is a once in a lifetime thing what with March Madness and all the rest,” he said. "To go from high school to college is great preparation to go then to the pros. … To go to another country and another culture and to absorb all that? In addition to try to get better at basketball? I think that’s a lot to ask of a young man.”
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Said Florida State-bound Michel Snaer (No. 29): “If you have the opportunity to go overseas and you want to do it great. For me, I want to go to college, have fun, meet people and start a career.”
New York City prep legend Lance Stephenson (No. 4), the state’s all-time leading scorer who helped the East to a 113-110 win on Wednesday, has maintained all year that Europe is not on his radar.
New York Daily News reporter Mark Lelinwalla, who has covered Stephenson extensively the last two years, said Tuesday that the strong 6-6, 220-pound shooting guard and his family have definitely ruled out the possibility.
But moments later, before a few reporters during McDonald’s Media Day, Stephenson’s father seemed to indicate otherwise.
“Overseas is another option to decide on, but it’s his choice,” Lance Stephenson Sr. said. “I’m just glad he has another option besides college.”
Jennings, who said he’s been the man in the family since he was 10, told Bryant Gumble that he has no regrets with his decision, that it’s the best one he’s made in his life. His mother and grade-school brother reside with him in a Rome condominium.
His brother’s private school education is free as is the vehicle his mother drives him around in (Jennings doesn’t have a driver’s license).
Jennings makes no bone about it, however. He couldn’t have made it on his own. Mom cooks all his meals and washes all his clothes.
If he winds up a lottery pick in June – right now few think so - Europe will have been a one-year adventure. If he goes much later, then this might be an overseas roller coaster ride.
For that reason, Lieberman sees Jennings’ route an aberration not a trend.
“I think it will happen again,” he said. “But as far as it happening over and over again, I really don’t think so. I think even if Jennings has a good experience, more kids will still go the college route.”
Said Plumlee: “It’s a tough decision when people are offering you money. It’s hard not to take it.”
Said Gallon: “Basically, you just have to do what’s best for you and your family.”
Gallon (near) and Sidney enjoy their American gadgets.
Photo courtesy of McDonalds
