BRANDON JENNINGS Age: 19 International: Lottomatica Roma Position: Point Guard Height: 6-1 Weight: 170

Jennings found the loophole around the NBA rule that does not allow a player straight out of high school or under the age of 19 to enter the draft. Instead of attending the University of Arizona, Jennings bolted overseas and signed with Lottomatica Roma as a professional player. The process has seemed to strengthen the metal mind set for an 18-year old in a foreign country. Jennings court time was inconsistent but displayed a tremendous amount of talent in the McDonald's All-American game last year. The dynamic guard from Los Angeles would have been a top five draft pick in 2008 due to his electric skill set. Jennings is extremely quick with the ball in his hands and can breakdown opposing point guards with a killer crossover. The athletic abilities will intrigue NBA scouts along with the nice range from the perimeter.


Since Jennings opted to join the professional ranks, he may have missed an opportunity to learn from a top-level college coach. In Europe, Jennings' numbers were not impressive by any means. According to most reports of his time with the Roma team, Jennings struggled to score in the half court offense. Jennings will also need to work on his change of pace and play at the right speed for his team rather than at full tilt for the entire 48 minutes. In order to defend some of the bigger and stronger point guards in the NBA, Jennings will have to hit the weight room.


Most likely the second point guard selected in the 2009 draft behind Ricky Rubio. Jennings will fit a need for a Wolves team in search of a playmaker to join Randy Foye in the backcourt. Minnesota must determine if Jennings has the potential of becoming a strong leader and possesses the necessary distribution skills to run an NBA team. Jennings is not a knockdown 3-point shooter, which is a big negative for a team in search of improved shooting from the outside. With a draft filled with point guards, the Wolves may opt to take a big man with the first pick and hope for Eric Maynor or Ty Lawson to drop later in the first round.


ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla on Brandon Jennings








Chad Ford's Top 100
"Jennings is an explosive scoring point guard in the Gilbert Arenas mold. One play he'll dazzle you with a flashy pass. The next play he'll drain a 3-pointer on you. Then he'll blow by you for a dunk. His decision to skip college and play in Italy has been controversial, but there's not denying the talent."

NBADraft.net
"An extremely quick and explosive player … Plays with cockiness and confidence that is necessary to succeed at the top level … His wingspan and leaping ability put him in a rare category of point guards … Has great open court speed and likes to attack in transition."



Ford's Mock Draft
No. 7 to Golden State

NBADraft.net
No. 7 to Golden State

Draft Express
No. 13 to Indiana

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Reports Compiled By:

Jonah Ballow
Wolves Editor/Writer
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