HEADER BRANDON JENNINGS Point Guard Lottomatica, Virtus Roma, Italy #11 6:00.3-170 Los Angeles, California Oak Hill Academy Dominguez High School
OVERVIEW For a 19-year-old, Jennings has gone through quite a few changes in his life, taking on the road of a basketball journeyman. A standout at Dominguez High School, he later garnered national attention playing at prestigious Oak Hill Academy. He averaged 32.7 points, 7.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 13.7 steals per game and set the school record for points in a season as a senior after guiding the team to a 41-1 record as a junior.
His performance earned him some of high school basketball's most prestigious awards: the 2008 Naismith High School Basketball Player of the Year, 2007-08 Gatorade Player of the Year (Virginia), 2008 Parade Magazine Player of the Year and 2008 EA Sports Player of the Year.
During his junior prep campaign, Jennings announced that he would enroll at Southern California when he would be eligible to play college ball. The following spring, he decided instead to join the Arizona Wildcats, citing the university's quality academic faculty and his desire to play with Jerryd Bayless.
Bayless left after one season to enter the 2008 NBA Draft and with the coaching staff at Arizona in a state of flux, Jennings announced in June 2008 that he was considering becoming the first American to skip college to play professionally in Europe. The NBA requires players to be at least 19 years old and one year removed from high school before entering the league, meaning that he could not enter the 2008 NBA Draft.
Jennings declared that his goal was to play in the NBA and that playing overseas instead of at an American college may be his best route to gain experience and make money until he is eligible to join the NBA. On July 16, 2008, he signed with Lottomatica Roma of the Italian League (Lega A). At the time of his signing, he was rated the top prospective college freshman by both Scout.com and ESPN.com.
Many scouts began to question that decision, based on his performance. He netted $1.65 million dollars in income guaranteed from the Italian franchise. He also became the first pro basketball player to be sponsored by Under Armour, which paid Jennings $2 million to showcase its products in the Euroleague.
Jennings is the first player to play for a European team rather than play for a college team since the NBA's age restriction was implemented. The cousin of Marcus Williams, former point guard of the Golden State Warriors, New Jersey Nets and formerly of the University of Connecticut, Jennings is now eligible for the 2009 NBA Draft, thanks to a collective bargaining rule that states that players who sign a professional contract to play basketball automatically become eligible for the draft.
Jennings is not only the youngest player on the Lottomatica Roma roster, but is also the only foreign import. In 16 Euroleague contests, he struggled to find his rhythm as a shooter, averaging 7.6 points per game while making 38.7 percent of his shots from the field. Known for his ability to create for others while in high school, he managed just 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals while drawing 37 personal fouls.
Jennings has appeared in 27 Lega A games to date. His scoring prowess has yet to appear, as he managed to tally just 148 points (5.5 ppg) on 58-for-154 shooting (37.7 percent), making just 20.7 percent of his attempts from three-point range. He also averaged 1.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
Jennings' numbers in Italy fall far from the spectacular figures he put up in high school, but there are some mitigating circumstances. When he first joined Lottomatica Roma, the team's coach at the time, Jasmin Repesa, was not giving him consistent minutes. Repesa was regarded as one of the top coaches in Europe, but fell into disfavor due to multiple lineup changes and a substitution pattern that confused the players.
Repesa eventually resigned in early December and was replaced by former Italian League star point guard Nando Gentile, who gave Jennings the opportunity to play on a regular basis. While his assists average is low for a player who averaged 7.5 assists per game during his final high school season, it should be noted that in Italy and Europe, they only count passes as assists if the shooter doesn't dribble. In the NBA, you can get an assist if they dribble once, sometimes twice. This has drastically reduced his assist numbers, but even Gentile admits that Jennings is still a phenomenal passer.
While playing for Lottomatica Roma, Jennings donated $50,000 to the recent earthquake victims in Italy. Brandon said to the local press when asked about it, "After living in Rome this year, my family has found a second home. When I heard about the devastation of the earthquake I knew I had to do something. Growing up in Southern California, I am no stranger to earthquakes and after seeing on television and on the internet how many people died and how many families lost everything, I wanted to do my part."
2008-09 SEASON Jennings has appeared in 43 total games for Lottomatica Roma; 16 in the Euroleague and 27 in Lega A...Logged 764 minutes of action, scoring 269 points (6.3 ppg) on 101-for-265 shooting (38.1 percent) that included 23-for-99 (23.2 percent) from three-point range...Made 44 of 62 free throw attempts (71.0 percent)...Grabbed 71 rebounds (1.7 rpg), as he handed out 87 assists (2.0 apg), had 61 steals (1.4 spg), blocked two shots and registered 91 personal fouls.
CAREER NOTES Among his many prep awards, Jennings was rated the top high school player in the country by ESPN.com, Scout.com, Hoopscoop and Hoopmaster...During his time at Dominguez High School, he received 2005 Press Telegram Freshmen Player of the Year honors and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 Les Schwab Invitational Tournament , in addition to being chosen co-MVP of the 2006 Elite 24 Hoops Classic...While attending Oak Hill Academy, he was again selected co-MVP of the 2007 Elite 24 Hoops Classic (with Tyreke Evans), in addition to being named 2007 Las Vegas Easter Classic Most Valuable Player, 2007 NBAPS Top 100 High School Camp Best Playmaker, 2007 The Goazcats.com Showdown Most Valuable Player, 2007-08 Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year and 2007-08 MaxPreps National Player of the Year...He was also named 2008 Naismith Male Player of the Year, 2008 Parade Magazine Player of the Year and 2008 EA Sports National Player of the Year...Was chosen 2008 Jordan Brand Classic Most Valuable Player for the East squad.
HIGH SCHOOL Jennings began playing at Dominguez (Compton, Cal.) High School, but before his junior year, he transferred to basketball powerhouse Oak Hill (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) Academy...Led his 2006-07 team to a 41-1 record and the top ranking in the USA Today Super 25 list of high school squads...Averaged 32.7 points, 7.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 13.7 steals per game and set the school record for points in a season as a senior...Named the 2008 Naismith High School Basketball Player of the Year, 2007-08 Gatorade Player of the Year (Virginia), 2008 Parade Magazine Player of the Year and 2008 EA Sports Player of the Year...Rated the top high school basketball player in the country by Scout.com and ESPN.com.
INJURY REPORT No injuries reported.
OTHER TOURNAMENTS/TEAMS SUMMER: Named the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 Les Schwab Invitational Tournament, in addition to being chosen co-MVP of the 2006 Elite 24 Hoops Classic...Selected co-MVP of the 2007 Elite 24 Hoops Classic (with Tyreke Evans), in addition to being named 2007 Las Vegas Easter Classic Most Valuable Player...Chosen 2008 Jordan Brand Classic Most Valuable Player for the East squad.
PERSONAL Cousin of Marcus Williams, former point guard of the Golden State Warriors, New Jersey Nets and formerly of the University of Connecticut...Born 9/23/89 in Los Angeles, California...Resides in Lakewood, California.
SCOUTING REPORT Positives: Lightning quick ball thief who might lack the size you look for in an NBA-type point guard, but he shows good strength with the length and wingspan to be very disruptive in the passing lanes (averaged 13.7 steals per game his last year at Oak Hill Academy)...Has the sudden initial step and slashing ability to the rim that leaves a slower defender simply immobile as he races by to the rim...Very fluid running the court and is very creative offensively, whether for himself or for others...Statistics in Italy are down compared to his last high school season, but he has benefited from patient coaching that has helped him hone his mid-range shot and has also displayed surprising maturity in the face of sporadic minutes on the court...Has exceptional lateral quickness and while his man defense skills are still a work in progress, he shows the work ethic and desire to get out and neutralize the opponent's perimeter game (elevates adequately trying to alter shots, but has done a good job of using his length and quickness to stay in front of the shooter, just lacking the big frame to get to the ball at a high release point)...Confident southpaw with crisp passing skills, especially on the outlet tosses and shows the ability to create and/or shoot with either hand...Has smooth shooting mechanics and a quick release...Uses his suddenness, balance and body control to be quite effective getting the defender off kilter with his ability to shift gears and a good or crossovers and hesitation moves...His ability to keep the dribble close to his frame and low to the floor creates problems for defenders trying to disrupt him in the lanes...Because of his dribbling skills, he can set up a shooter coming off the bounce or flip the ball out to a shooter playing off the perimeter with equal effectiveness...Has excellent peripheral vision, evident by his ability to execute no-look passes (more interested now in passing first and shooting later, making him a developing talent as a floor general. In the past, he played with a bit too much flamboyance, looking to take the shot himself rather than dish it out to an open target)...For a player his size, he has a very nice arm length and big hands, looking comfortable whether shooting or passing the ball around...Explosive pushing the ball downcourt on the fast break, but can easily shift gears and slow down the action in the half court...Has a nice, swift jump shot, having corrected a slight flaw where he would turn his hips or fade back too much, as he has now learned how to just go straight up while extending his arms on his attempts (still needs to refine mechanics on his pull-up jumper)...Has the long-range shooting ability to make his attempts from the NBA-type three-point area...Has good confidence in his ability on the court (no longer players with cocky arrogance)...Has a nice array of moves to finish around the basket and that sudden stop-and-go motion to either slash to the basket or pull up and fire off a quick jumper...Also uses his superb leaping ability to excite the crowd as he will elevate high to make those nifty ally-oops plays or just spot up and deliver a pull-up jumper (still needs some refinement here) from outside the arc...His elevation is evident by his ability to put in a resounding dunk when given space flying to the rim (has a bit of Allen Iverson in him)... Not since the days of Kenny Anderson in his prime has their been a "little man" with such exceptional court quickness, making him an elite shot creator and play maker (plays equally well with or without the ball in his hands now, something he did not do in the past, when he was a "shoot-first, think later" type)...Has a smooth shooting stroke and in catch-and-shoot action, he does a good job of setting his feet and spotting up...Can also change the pace of the game in half-court action, where he uses his suddenness to turn the corner on screens...Has the explosion and timed speed to be very effective playing in transition and is too quick for most guards to defend when he is coming off the dribble (can push the ball in transition better than any other guard in Europe, outside DKV Joventut's Ricky Rubio, as he is too quick and slippery to contain)...Despite his small frame, he does a good job of drawing contact and has improved his release to be much more effective making his shots from the charity stripe...Uses his lateral quickness quite effectively to apply pressure and is sudden moving into the passing lanes to try and neutralize the ball handler...Has little regard for his body taking on bigger men when penetrating the paint or using his vision to create for others...Has the quick hands needed to make the timely bounce passes, whether underhand or behind his back...Even though he gives up considerable bulk, his natural strength shows through with his ability to negotiate through the rough hand checking and bumping activity European athletes are known for...Still needs to improve his man defense skills, but has become very good using his elevation and timing to go after the defensive rebound...Very creative in pick-and-roll situations, doing a good job with no hesitation in locating the open teammate on the way to the basket...By being a southpaw, he has a bit of an advantage working the ball up the court in transition, as defenders have a hard time neutralizing his left hand without getting into foul trouble.
Negatives: Statistics in Europe are drastically down, but it is mostly due to poor coaching (prior to the team changing the staff) and sporadic minutes, rather than a lack of ability...Few guards have the playing speed he demonstrates, but that sometimes gets him into trouble, as he tries too often to blow past his opponent rather than try to contain the tempo of the game, especially in the half court...Can make plays with either hand, but will rely a bit too often from his left side, making him predictable...Has shown great maturity and a good team-first work ethic, but is still a product of his youth and not the greatest decision maker, as he will get unselfish to a fault at times, trying to show he can play into that team concept by operating with a pass-first mentality, even when he has a better shot (ironic, considering it was just the opposite in high school)...Has improved going straight up and down with his jumper, but will revert to a process where he fades away excessively, losing elevation in the process, as the defense has had good success clogging the lane on him...Tough player, but needs to greatly improve his strength, as he struggles considerably to fight through screens, lacking the upper body power needed (opponents have good success taking him to the basket by simply putting their shoulder on him, even when he maintains position in front of the shooter)... Low percentage shooter (made a paltry 38.1 percent of his shots from the field, including 23.2 percent from three-point range this year), especially from long range, but has the ability to connect from NBA three-point range (just needs to be more selective)...Might never be strong enough or show the great desire to handle man defense assignments...Plays with a tight, low dribble, but when he gets out of control trying to slash to the basket, he does a very poor job of protecting the ball...Needs to improve his overall stamina, as his shot loses a lot of elevation late in games...While he is known as an elite ball thief, he will get a little reckless getting his long arms outside his frame, reaching and lunging trying to get to the ball from behind the shooter, resulting in a high amount of fouls (averaged more than two fouls per game, while averaging just 17 minutes of playing time)...Needs to keep his head in the game better on the defensive end, as he has become so conscious of staying in front of his man, he will bite often on fakes and hesitation moves, only to see the slasher get right by him (also lacks the "sand in his pants" to hold position on moving screens).
Compares To: KENNY ANDERSON, ex-New Jersey/Portland/Boston -- Anderson is Jennings' idol and based on the maturity he has shown playing sporadic minutes in Europe, that humbling experience could see him develop into an elite NBA point guard - once he realizes that he is better creating scoring opportunities for others rather than playing with the shoot-first mentality he showed at Oak Hill. He looked like he would turn out to be just another over-hyped Sebastian Telfair clone, but by not being the main man in Italy, he has had to not only adjust his playing style, but to also work on other areas of his game just to get action through a pair of coaching changes. He will never be a physical presence on the court like he was during his prep days, but with that outstanding quickness and stealing ability, he can bring out the best in his teammates by being generous with the ball.
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