Brandon Jennings can hoop. Brandon Jennings can hoop very well. I should have listened to my friend who plays basketball overseas, when he told me that Jennings is a really good player.

Brandon Jennings with Lottomattica Roma in 2008

When I first saw Brandon play in Bologna, it was obvious that his game was getting suffocated by the overly conservative style of Italian basketball. Even when that is the case, American players showcase their true abilities when the game loosens up. However, I didn’t see any of the three-point shooting touch, talent to slash to the basket and get the foul, or that “it” factor from the kid. Then he did an interview with the New York Times saying that he was having difficulties adjusting to the Italian League, Lega A (NY Times: Brandon Jennings Sends Home a Warning From Europe). That’s when I thought, ‘Damn, he should have went to college. Oh well, the scouts will just write him off. Bring on Ricky Rubio.’

Boy, did I eat those words.

Brandon Jennings in the NBA

Ever since he came into the league, he has been nothing short of great. Maybe there was a tinge of me being a hater. The way media portrayed his jump to the European leagues out of high school, Jennings was painted as a cocky, overconfident, punk teen. Sadly, I consumed every word, images of the “Young Money” tat on his back, and as a consequence, my view of the kid was skewed before I even saw him play a game. As it turns out, he is humble, hard working, and driven.

I was wrong.