Senior Year Abroad

As we approach 1,000 readers I realize that I have yet to write about what exactly is defined as Jewish sports story. What makes a story Jewish? As for now I believe a Jewish story is anything with a Jewish connection. The reason I am writing this is because last time I wrote about Anthony Parker I received a few emails asking why I posted the story if Parker isn’t Jewish. My response was simple, Israeli sports are an important part of the Jewish Sports world.

This leads me to today’s story, which is about High School basketball phenom Jeremy Tyler. Tyler is making headlines because he has forgone his senior year of high school, first player to do so, to go over to Israel and play for Maccabi Haifa. Tyler is touted as the number one player in the country. He stands 6’11 and weighs 260 lbs. And he is taking that frame to Israel, which continues to grow as an attractive place for NBAers to take their skills.

Tyler’s agent, former Bull B.J. Armstrong is helping Tyler through the process. "It's a huge step for him and his family and the things he's about to get into," Armstrong said. "The basketball will be the easiest part in this equation. Now he's got to get things adjusted off the court to what a professional does, how he lives. It'll be a challenge. The rest will take care of itself." – Associated Press.

Tyler traded his senior prom for a one-year $140,000 contract. He still plans on entering the 2011 NBA Draft. Good money and experience for the kid. I can’t say I blame him. If this is what he wants to do and can make a good amount of money doing it…bless his heart. "I think I made the right decision," Tyler told The Associated Press on Wednesday evening. "I think this team is a good fit for me and it's the right country."

Clearly, this is good press for Israel. Not just that they received a future NBA All-Star, but also for the county’s reputation. When players, top players, come to Israel to play it allows the world to see Israel as a safe environment. Israel is now a place without all the issues that the media forces down our throats.

It turns out that Tyler will also be a teammate of Tamir Goodman, the “Jewish Jordan”, who TGR will be posting an interview with later this week. If you want to see a little bit of what Tyler brings to Maccabi Haifa check out the video below.



And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine