This move will inevitably lead others make a similar jump to play outside the U.S. and score a career that may or may not lead them back to the NBA after they have satisfied the league’s extant eligibility requirements. This landmark move demonstrates to future talent that there is a creative solution to the problem of how to capitalize on their skill set in exchange for more than a token scholarship that, for most, holds little more attraction than the opportunity to grab the most attention from pro scouts.

I recently spoke to Arizona State University standout who graduated in 1998 as the school’s leading scorer, Jeremy Veal, about Brandon Jennings’ decision to seek a position with a foreign club. Veal, who currently plays for the Cocodrilos de Caracas (Venezuela), declared that he would have made the same move.

"I would have done it. Most guys would." Jeremy says.

After gaining experience in the NBA’s Development League as well as several other professional leagues including a few European leagues, Veal extols the virtues of working among professionals, "He’ll (Jennings) will learn a lot. The game’s a lot different over there. But so is college ball.

"European teams focus so much more on team play than the NBA does. That’s why the Dream Team was drummed in the Olympics. European teams will practice running the same play against every possible defensive look and you as a player are expected to adapt to anything that is thrown at you. The NBA is more focused on superstars and one-on-one play."

When asked what benefits Jennings may gain from serving in a foreign league, Veal responded positively. "The pressure is higher. Over there you’re playing with guys that are working to keep their jobs. If you don’t do your job, they may lose theirs. This guy next to you is working for a living. That’s not the case in college."

It would appear that not only will Jennings stand to gain invaluable work experience but, according to a statement by the general manager of his new team, he will still receive education and tutoring as well as media training. That skill alone may be more practical than any information he could receive in any four year turn in the NCAA. These details may be persuasive enough to sway any prospective collegiate athlete to consider foreign-based possibilities but it may simply come down to a more intimate factor.

If you didn’t grow up dreaming of a career ringing up three pointers at the buzzer or blocking a Kevin Garnett slam dunk back into the face of the NBA champion, then you may not appreciate the decision that faced Jennings and now every young and skilled player in this field. Consider the aspiring painter who invests every spare moment in the pursuit of the opportunity to receive adequate, if not abundant, exchange for their skills. Could anyone ever blame them for accepting the highest available position attainable?