Junior in High School to Pros?
So I’m sure a lot of you have heard about the Jeremy Tyler story. If not, Tyler is a junior in high school and is dropping out in order to go play basketball overseas as a professional. There are people who argue both sides and they have great points, but here is my take.
While this is a decision that is up to he and his parents, I don’t agree with his decision. He is missing out on great experiences not only in college but in high school as well. He is not going to be able to walk across the stage at his high school graduation, he’s not going to be able to go to his Senior Prom, nor his he going to be able to just be a kid.
He reportedly committed to play for Coach Rick Pitino and the University of Louisville. This would have been an amazing opportunity. He would get the chance to play with a legend of a coach, at a big time University, in a big time conference. In Europe, his friends and family won’t be able to watch him play (live or on TV).
This is a quote from Tyler: “Nowadays people look to college for more off-the-court stuff versus being in the gym and getting better,” Tyler told the Times. “If you’re really focused on getting better, you go play pro somewhere. Pro guys will get you way better than playing against college guys.”
I don’t fully agree with this, but I do understand his point of view. If you go to the right college and coach, you’ll be pushed harder than you want to be. A coach like Coach Pitino will push his players to achieve their potential, because he knows thats what it takes to get to the top, and he’s been there so players will listen and give their best.
My other problem with this goes beyond basketball. When his career is over, he will have no high school diploma to fall back on. He will be a high school drop out. If he went to college for one year, he would have at least a more developed education, because you can’t succeed in the game of life without an education.
But again, like I said this is Tyler and his parents’ decision and I wish him nothing but luck in the future.
Gene
