How Much Fail Can One Person Pack In To A Career?

 Every so often I like to look back on a story I wrote and do a follow up. The tragic tale of Jeremy Tyler is one of these posts that I am revisiting.

 

In 2009 Tyler had “Potential Star” written all over him, he had talent and was averaging 28.7 points per game in his junior year in high school. He was so certain of his future pay-day that he quit high school and headed to Israel to begin his pro career. He ended up playing only 10 games in Israel and averaged 2.1 points again before quitting the team and heading home. In 2010 he signed with a Japanese team and played 33 games with the Tokyo Apache where he averaged 9.9 points a game.

 

Somehow he ended up getting drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats during the 2011 NBA Draft but was traded to Golden State the same night for cash. His NBA career lasted 3 season for 3 different teams (Golden State, Atlanta & NY Knicks), he played 104 games and averaged 3.6 points. He was on the Lakers pre-season team this year but was cut before the season began and he is currently playing in China.

 

His NBA career was a flash and sadly he did not prove his worth when he had the chance. He was given the opportunity but wasted it, an opportunity that many kids would love to have. At 23 years old he is a wash out and a good chance it has to do with his attitude, channeling his best JaMarcus Russell impression.

 

Panini did think enough of him that they included him in some of their 2012-13 NBA releases, this shows how low they are willing to scrape the bottom of the barrel to include players in sets. For anyone willing to still consider this kid a prospect his cards are dirt cheap, a rookie can be picked up for under $1 and an autograph will cost you another dollar.