Jeremy Tyler's Israeli Vacation: Not So Good

Jeremy Tyler decided months ago that college -- and his senior year of high school -- just wasn't for him. Despite an oral commitment to Rick Pitino and Louisville, Tyler decided to bolt for overseas to get a jump on his pro hoops career. He signed with Maccabi Haifa for $140,000. Whatever short term payoff he got from leaving early might not be worth it if the dire tone of this New York Times piece is any indication. His coach calls him lazy and out of shape. The team captain says he is soft. His teammates say he needs to learn to shut up and show up on time. He has no friends on the team. In extensive interviews with Tyler, his teammates, coaches, his father and advisers, the consensus is that he is so naïve and immature that he has no idea how naïve and immature he is. So enamored with his vast potential, Tyler has not developed the work ethic necessary to tap it. “The question is whether he’ll take responsibility of his career,” Haifa Coach ...