Shortly after confirming he'd be skipping the country to spend a year playing in Europe, L.A.-bred point guard phenom Brandon Jennings has signed with Italian team Virtus Roma, according to the club's website (via Ball in Europe).Jennings' adviser, former adidas titan Sonny Vaccaro, told the Los Angeles Times the Roma deal runs three years, but has buy-out options as early as next summer. The Times reports the Jennings family will be along for the ride, with the club landing B.J.'s 13-year-old brother a spot on a Roman junior team.
That Dejan Bodiroga -- one of the greatest modern-era players never to appear in the NBA -- runs Roma is a pretty interesting note. Bodiroga had ample opportunities to cross over the Atlantic (Geoff Petrie drafted his rights for the Kings in 1995), but preferred stardom in Europe over the tougher competition of the NBA. Vaccaro's influence and stateside endorsement possibilities for such a flashy player likely won't keep Jennings in Italy longer than a year. But if anyone provides a good example of the benefits of playing in Europe, it's Bodiroga.
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I hope everything works out for him, and also if it does that will set a trend and cause a chain reaction, which will allow other young talented athletes to earn a living right away if they choose to do so. That will help stop the exploitation of theese young kids by the college institutions. !8 year old kids can go to war right out of high school, there is a clear contradiction here. People are being denied the right to earn a living. Eventually I hope that forces david stern to lift the age limit.
I wish Jennings the best over seas. I think he is making a mistake. Name how many basketball players come back to the NBA after oversea trips.