Jeremy Tyler, C

Trying to go the Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee) route by playing overseas instead of plying his wares in the collegiate ranks, Tyler hopes his long odyssey in his path to the National Basketball Association will end with his draft selection in a few weeks. One of the best athletes in this draft class, the power forward has the quickness and change of direction skills you see usually in a swift point guard.

Tyler has outstanding leaping ability and with his balance and body control, grabbing rebounds, altering shots and "skying" above the rim to deliver a resounding dunk should make him a crowd favorite in the wide-open game featured by most NBA teams. His travels that also saw him undergo some nightmares, on the way to Israel and Japan, have made this youngster humbled and appreciative to be back in the states, where his brand of basketball is more ideally suited than that on the international circuit.

During his three seasons at San Diego High School, Tyler caught national attention from recruiters after he averaged 28.7 points per game during his junior campaign. He decided to forgo his senior season to go play internationally for two years until he was eligible for the NBA Draft.

In 2008-2009 Tyler was a Team USA member in the Nike Global Challenge. On October 12th, 2008, he committed to Louisville, choosing the Cardinals' program over scholarship offers from UCLA and Southern California. He later retracted his commitment to Louisville and on April 22nd, 2009, he announced his intentions to skip his senior high school season to play professionally abroad.

On August 7th, 2009, Tyler signed a $140,000 deal with Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Super League. He played just ten games, averaging only 2.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 7.6 minutes per game. Seldom used and clashing with the staff while failing to adjust to the international game and culture he quit the team in March, 2010 and headed back home to San Diego.

In 2010, Tyler was selected as a member of the All Star team at the Adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy which hosts a basketball camp for the most talented players in Europe. On July 29th of that year, he signed a contract with the Tokyo Apache of Japan's professional basketball league, as he was still not eligible to apply for entry into the 2010 NBA Draft until 2011.

In 33 games, Tyler averaged 9.9 points on 51.7% shooting from the field. He collected 210 rebounds (6.4 rpg) while averaging 15.4 minutes per game. He also blocked 23 shots. The league shut down after the earthquakes devastated the nation in March, 2011, and Tyler again returned to the states to prepare for workouts leading up to the 2011 NBA Draft.

Positives: Tyler will be drafted on potential and athleticism, but he needs to show better court awareness and work ethic … Impressed team with both of those attributes at the Chicago pre-draft camp, elevating his stock and easing a few concerns about his emotional make-up … Has a very good wingspan (7'5") and standing reach (9'2.5"), along with the body that will fill out more and has room to add more bulk and strength with no loss in foot speed … He gets excellent elevation getting off his jumper and when working from the perimeter and under coach Bob Hill, he improved his timing going up for the rebound or when altering shots (averaged 6.4 boards last year) … Has a good face-the-basket game and when he sets his feet and executes a high release, he shows above average range from 15 feet away from the rim … Has worked hard in recent months, showing more nimble footwork and stronger moves working inside in the low post … Glides to the basket and gets very good air when his feet leave the ground, very rare for a player 260-plus pounds … If given the slightest opening, he can explode to the rim, get up and over it and put down an emphatic dunk … Right now, he is much more effective with his inside game, as few four-type forwards can establish position when he gets in the paint … He also creates great mismatches vs. smaller wings when he slips and moves past those opponents to deliver with a soft floater in the lane … His effort is questioned on the defensive end, but there is no question that he has the length, athleticism and power to dominate, as he demonstrates good hands to secure the offensive rebounds and great second-hop skills for put-backs … His size indicates he would be a better fit at power forward, but he looks very comfortable playing out on the wing, even though, as his body continues to grow and mature, along with his leaping ability, he could become a good shot blocker and a much better force in the paint to challenge four- and five-type opponents … Times his leaps well and gets good elevation with full arm extension trying to alter the opponent's shot (just needs to do it more often) … Very explosive runner on the court who can easily slash past double teams on the way to the basket … Runs the court like a guard and is limber enough to be quite effective on the fast break, especially in executing the alley-oops … Finishes well in transition, getting nice elevation in attempts to dunk the ball … Just as comfortable working under the hoop and when firing from long range, when he sets his feet well executing the jumpers … Has the court speed to get in front of the guards for the one-bounce pass, feathering the ball in nicely with his finger rolls … Is effective dunking from the weak-side and has the speed to separate from the defender when working in the low post … Has developed an effective turnaround shot with his back to the basket … Knows that his 7'5" wingspan is good enough to alter the opponent's shot in the lanes, but must remain focused on the court … Needs to drastically improve his free throw shooting, but has worked on eliminating the hitch in his release.

Negatives: There is no question that Tyler has immense athletic talent, but he has a litany of issues that have scouts feeling his emotional make-up will not be beneficial in the NBA, especially if he has to park himself on the bench and develop a better work ethic before getting quality court minutes … In high school and summer tournaments, he was known to go through the motions for long stretches and will throttle down when he is not playing with the ball in his hands … He seemed to develop better energy and effort playing for Bob Hill in Japan, but there were still times where he could be seen just jogging back on the defensive end, which is the prime area of his game that needs refinement … Needs to stop swinging his arms so wildly, as his hacking issues lead to a high amount of personal fouls … He lacks great basketball IQ, often times biting on pump fakes and hesitations, letting the wings get to the ball on catch-&-shoot situations and taking a slide vs. the slasher, as he lacks good lateral quickness, especially when having to guard on the perimeter … His immaturity saw him explode on the court and head-butt an opponent while playing in Israel, resulting in a one-game suspension … Gets too impatient when he can't make his shot and rather than pass the ball out, he will simply step back and chuck the ball up from the perimeter, where he mysteriously lacked the good range he showed in high school during his international ventures … He is not the greatest ball handler and will keep it on the floor too long, leading to turnovers while he refuses to kick it out when double teamed … Has to drastically refine his footwork in the post and seems to lack balance when trying to drive on his man en route to the basket … When a perimeter shooter gets a step on him, the race is over, as he will make little effort to recover … As far as his flippant attitude at times, check out his reason for not going to college - "If I go to college and fill up an arena with 30,000 people, I don't get a penny," Tyler was quoted in the New York Times' Quad blog. "In my profession with what I'm doing in my life, it doesn't need a full college degree."

Compares To: MARVIN BARNES, ex-ABA/NBA -- For all of his talent, Tyler could be heading down the same path that Barnes took during his embattled career. There is no question that he has a tremendous amount of athletic ability, but based on his on-court track record for getting frustrated and poor off-field decision bolting to Europe and Japan rather than playing as a senior in high school and then going to college, you have to wonder if he will grow up and "bite into the program" expected from a professional. With his athleticism, someone will bite on his talent. But you have to ask yourself before selecting him if the troubled baggage he brings is really worth the price of having him on your team, or if he has finally humbled from his Israel experience.

--Dave-Te' Thomas

Tyler appeared in 33 games for Tokyo Apache, where the power forward logged 507 minutes (15.4 mpg) on the court … Scored 326 points (9.9 ppg), as he made 137-of-265 two-point field goals (51.7%), but managed just one trey on five attempts … Connected on 49-of-108 chances (45.4%) from the foul line … Grabbed 210 rebounds (6.4 rpg), including 76 from the offensive class (2.3 pg) … Had 17 assists, 15 steals and 23 blocked shots, but was charged with 88 personal fouls (2.7 pg) and had 75 turnovers (2.3 pg).

Tyler was seldom used in ten games by the Maccabi Haifa Heat, as he totaled 21 points, 76 minutes and 19 rebounds in ten games … He shot 43.8% from the field (7-of-16 FGs) and 53.8% from the foul line (7-of-13).

2009-19 SEASON Analysis

Tyler made his international debut by making one free throw and grabbing two boards vs. Maccabi T-A … Had five points, four rebounds and a blocked shot in 12 minutes vs. Netanya … Added six points and three boards while on the court for only eight minutes vs. Hapoel Afula.

Attended San Diego (Cal.) Senior High School, lettering three times in basketball … Averaged 28.7 points per game during his junior season before he decided to start his professional basketball career in Europe … In 2008-2009, he was a Team USA member in the Nike Global Challenge.

Tyler likes to play the piano, sing, cook, play X-Box and Skype when he is not playing basketball … Born 6/21/91 … Resides in San Diego, California.