Jeremy Tyler, a 6-11 junior from San Diego High School, has opted to forgo his senior year to play professional basketball in Europe. He then plans to declare for the NBA draft in 2011.

Like most teenagers, money is always seen as a desired object. Thus the six-figure salary offered to him likely overwhelmed him to the point where he couldn't think clearly. As a result, he has dismissed the coach of the Louisville Cardinals, Rick Pitino, in favor of what he believes to be a better pathway to the NBA.

Of course this is not the first time this has happened. The best point guard in the country in 2008, Brandon Jennings, finished high school and left to play for Lottomatica Virtus Roma in Italy. Touted to be one of the top 10 players to be selected at the 2009 NBA draft in June, it will be interesting to see whether his transition from Europe to the NBA will be as smooth as his fellow draftees.

However, Tyler is not like Jennings in that he is only 17-years old and his level of maturity can be gauged by what could be considered a very demeaning statement.

"Nowadays people look to college for more off-the-court stuff versus being in the gym and getting better," Tyler said. "If your really focused on getting better you go play pro somewhere."

In other words, he is saying what most of already know: College is a guaranteed ticket to party central. But, what's wrong with that. At least he would be stimulating his mind in an area other than basketball along the way and possibly graduate with a future after basketball.

At 17, basketball shouldn't be seen as a job, and life experience should be a priority. Youths should enjoy playing with people their own age and celebrating their victories in an outrageous manner. Such things, among others, should be at the forefront of a teenagers mind.

It is not so much his dislike of the college atmosphere that is questionable, but the fact that he thinks he can learn more in Europe than from a well respected coach in Rick Pitino. Having coached in the NBA, plus an NCAA championship while at the University of Kentucky to boast, Pitino is more than capable of teaching Tyler a thing or two. Just ask Antoine Walker, Toney Delk or Jamal Mashburn, all of whom benefited from his experience.

If Tyler thinks you don't learn anything at college, maybe he should talk to the guys who had to defend Larry Bird, Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony and so forth during college. I am sure they would all agree they learned a lot.

Ultimately Tyler still has something to prove. With his high school team only going 15-11 last season, is he really ready to be a part of a professional team? It seems that despite however great his individual attributes are, his overall impact on a team still requires some work. Thankfully, this team-first mindset can be instigated and grown, but it is best learned in college with people his own age and under a coach who has "been there and done that."

Decisions like Tyler's are not helped when individuals such as Sonny Vaccaro, a former shoe company executive and a powerful figure on the basketball scene, encourage it. Vaccaro, who seems unconcerned with Tyler's overall well being, noted that high-caliber European teens typically turn to the professional ranks early.

This would be a great counter argument to critics of Tyler's decision if not for the following reasons. For European teens there is no language barrier; they have an established set of friends and family; and most significantly, have been brought up playing the style of basketball present in the European basketball leagues.

Vaccaro's comment is evidently very blindsided, no doubt looking out for himself rather than the interests of his potential client.

Tyler's untimely climb to the professional ranks is distinguished by another one of his ridiculous statements: "Each game was the same thing. I was getting triple-teamed and hacked. It was boring and I wasn't getting better."

In reading this, one is reminded of current NBA stars LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett, all of whom left high school to go straight to the NBA. They were able to make a smooth transition, but then they never complained about being triple teamed. To them it would have been just one of a series of hurdles to overcome.

If Tyler wants to get better, maybe he should expand his game in order to exploit the triple and double teams at the high school level and then college, before he tries to tussle with the pros.

Tyler's decision is even more puzzling when you consider the difficulty Europeans players have adjusting to the American and NBA lifestyle. Why intentionally go over to Europe and learn one style and mentality when college provides a more realistic representation of the NBA and on top of that garners greater publicity.

Recent rookie phenomenon's such as Derrick Rose, O.J. Mayo, Kevin Durant and Al Horford are among many who made an immediate impact in the NBA following their transition from college. What's more, they made more money in their first year, along with endorsements, than Tyler will in his two years in Europe; especially with the current economic crisis.

Notable European players such as Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker and Asian sensation Yao Ming, though stars in their own right now, took a lot longer to adjust and make a sizeable impact. At the other end of the scale, however, there are players like Danilo Gallinari. Right now, your probably saying "who?" You wouldn't be the first. Yet he was drafted at number six by the New York Knicks in the 2008 draft and was seen as a good investment like Ricky Rubio is now.

The most significant point of all regarding European players is the number who enter the NBA draft each year. Surprisingly, there has been a reasonable number of European players that have been included in the draft. In the last 10 years, 46 of the 290 first round picks have been European. However, what wasn't surprising was that half of those I never knew existed. Has Fran Vasquez blocked a shot yet?

In researching this article, there appeared many who have commented on the number of individuals in other sports who turned professional when they were still a teenager. However, what they fail to realize is that a majority of these sports are individual sports such as athletics, tennis and golf. Being part of a team that is comprised of potentially 30-year old Spanish men, is a lot different to being on a tennis court, with just yourself and your coach.

The pressure of playing for a professional team and coming up against mature opponents may ultimately harm Tyler's growth as a person and a basketball player. In two years time, we could see a player who has burnt out because he was pushed too hard at a young age and NBA general managers will decide he isn't worth a first-round pick.

Granted the same thing could happen at college, but at least Tyler would more likely bounce back if left in the presence of friends and family and situated in an environment he grew up in. At 17, it is difficult to see how he will relate to a bunch of European men, who probably already have preconceived notions of what to expect from an American teenage sensation.

Tyler is undoubtedly a highly talented player and his presence on any court will be felt. Hopefully, he will heed to the points addressed and see that college is a better option. The fact of the matter is, Jeremy Tyler is a young boy, and his comments and physique suggest that he is not yet ready to become a man. He has chosen Jennings's path and nothing anyone says seems to be able to change it. This decision has opened the door for other elite high school basketball players to follow. The sad reality is more and more will probably walk through it.