Wildcat Notebook: Arizona or Europe? Jennings weighs options

The bizarre Brandon Jennings saga took another unexpected twist Monday.

Arizona’s top incoming recruit is currently awaiting the results from this third trip through the SAT exam, but a passing grade might not be enough to convince him to come to Tucson.

In fact, Jennings said he hasn’t ruled out a European detour on his way to the NBA.

Jennings, ranked No. 1 by ESPN.com and No. 4 by Rivals.com, is considering a one-year stint with a professional European basketball club prior to declaring his eligibility for the 2009 draft.

The NBA says a player must be one year removed from his graduating high school class before gaining draft eligibility, but there aren’t any rules in place regarding where the player needs to spend that year.

Jennings, who was scheduled to report to summer school last Monday, told ESPN.com that it would take a “perfect situation” to lure him across the pond, including “a team that needs a point guard, a coach who would take the time to work with me, an American on the team who could show me the ropes and playing time to show off my game.”

The Oak Hill standout will likely find out his SAT scores on Friday, but he said Europe remains a possibility even if he gains academic eligibility.

Reports show he scored high enough on his second test, but the NCAA red-flagged his results, claiming there was a “suspicious jump” in scores from his first and second exams.

In a June 20 report, Jennings told ESPN.com, “The first time I took it I didn’t try, the second time I did so I had to take it a third time.”

He said this entire ordeal has made him mad, but he has yet to make a final decision regarding his future.

Aran Smith, president of NBADraft.net, has followed the situation closely and said this could be one of those rare situations with no positive outcomes.

If Jennings elects to skip his freshman year at Arizona, he said, the Wildcats go from one of the preseason favorites in the Pac-10 to a bubble team when the NCAA Tournament selection committee meets.

“Not only was he being counted on to be their floor general, he was going to complete the team and make guys like [Chase] Budinger better, as well,” Smith said.

In addition, Jennings’ NBA draft stock would likely take a massive hit if he decided to spend a season overseas. The European system focuses on immediate team success ahead of individual player improvement. A teenager like Jennings would not only struggle to separate himself, his playing time would fluctuate.

“As quick and talented as he is, I just don’t think his brand of basketball is close to what they play in Europe, Smith said. “There isn’t as much one-on-one isolation and there is a lot more off-the-ball movement — a stronger team game.”

While Jennings would make six figures playing professionally in Europe, Smith said, this decision could cost him millions in future draft positioning.

Smith currently has Jennings listed at No. 4 on his 2009 mock draft. He said a stint in Europe could possibly result in a 20-25 position nosedive.

“Whether or not the NCAA has wronged him should not be his focus, Smith said. “He should be focused on his basketball career, and the best place for him to develop is at Arizona.”

The 6-foot-2 southpaw has drawn comparisons to everyone from Allen Iverson to Kenny Anderson. He would be the latest in a fine tradition of Arizona point guards if he decided to wear the red and blue.

The situation is nowhere near resolved, but Smith said there is only one decision that makes any sense.

“I don’t buy the idea that he would pass the test and elect to go overseas,” Smith said. “He is either going to fail the test and explore options in Europe, or pass the test and go to Arizona. I can’t see any other logical scenario.”

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