Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
When we last checked in with Jeremy Tyler over in Israel, we spoke of an experiment "gone horribly wrong." A high school junior and one of the top prospects in the country, his trip overseas had been much rockier than expected. This was back in November:
Tyler seems like an immature boor surrounded by distractions and ego-inflating hangers-on; Tyler's Israeli coach, used to coaching young men after their mandatory three years of Israeli army service, has no idea how to reach him; and Tyler's teammates don't believe he is serious about his commitment to his team.
Now, it seems the experiment may be aborted altogether. At least with Maccabi Haifa, as Israel outlets have reported that the team has asked Jeremy to find another team. Will he bounce around Europe for the next two years? Try to join the D-League? Time will tell.
Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress spoke to his agent, who had this to say:
"This year was transition year for Jeremy, showing amount of work needed. Haifa was great to him. [Jeremy] didn't fully understand everything required of him going in. Worked really hard last 3-4 months. [But he is] better for the experience."
On his next team: "I prefer European development model over D-League, in terms of practice time, support system, nutrition, etc. [He] will have European opportunities. [We] need to be selective of where he goes. Money is not the most important thing right now. [He] took significantly less money to go to Haifa [because he] felt more comfortable in Israel.
But wait a second. Does this mean it's NOT a no-brainer for a star high school player to go overseas and play alongside grown men, with no concerns for their teammate's learning curve or emotional immaturity? Who woulda thought that could end badly?
Makes you appreciate Brandon Jennings.
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