Jeremy Tyler in Japan

When the N.B.A. prospect Jeremy Tyler, 19, joined the Tokyo Apache this season, his baggage included retracting a commitment to play at the University of Louisville, skipping his senior year of high school, signing a $140,000 contract with Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli league and then bolting after seeing little playing time.

Still too young to jump straight into the N.B.A., Tyler went to Japan for a second chance and to hone his raw skills in a league with many former N.B.A. and U.S. college players. After a season under the former N.B.A. coach Bob Hill, during which he also got advice from older teammates, including the former Seattle Supersonics center Robert Swift, Tyler’s nascent career, where he could play a role as a rebounder and interior defender, could be turning around.

"Being in Japan is amazing, especially in Tokyo," said the 6-foot-11, or 2.11-meter, power forward, just days before the March 11 earthquake forced his league to cancel the season. "Everybody is so positive — my coaches, my teammates. There are so many different things to explore here. I’m really enjoying my time here. Basketball is taking care of itself."

about 1 year ago Mike Rutherford 17 comments 0 recs |

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Due to recent turmoil with our team

can we try to get him to come to UofL? Maybe he was paid less than the threshold allowed by the NCAA. We could start a campaign, make some t-shirts, contact Mark Emmert and some various journalist to let them know how we feel about the situation (using respectful language mind you) and cross our fingers for months and months that our wish is granted. Who’s with me?

FREE JEREMY!

"To win the game is great. To play the game is greater. But to love the game is greatest of all."

by kentuckybred on Apr 20, 2011 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

yeah ummmmmm

by gary west on Apr 20, 2011 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

We could argue that he saved all the money for college

And get Dick Vitale to whine about his ineligibility on national TV.

by cardsinindy2010 on Apr 20, 2011 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh good

Evans and Vitale together. Two of my least favorites rolled into one. Ugh!!!!!.

by cbcard on Apr 20, 2011 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Good for him?

Seriously, all this story did for some reason was make me feel worse.

by Tryce1 on Apr 20, 2011 3:33 PM EDT reply actions

I think

The point of Mike’s post was to show us that bad things happen when you spur your senior year of high school and the Cardinals. Just as you think your world is coming together, an earthquake will hit the country you play basketball for, followed by a Tsunami, a corresponding nuclear disaster, and multiple after shocks. Samsies for attacking Hawaii when the US is not at war. Mike works in mysterious ways.

by REALISTICCARDSFAN on Apr 20, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions