Arizona recruit chooses Europe

TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona signee Brandon Jennings will pursue a professional basketball career in Europe, backing out on his commitment to the Wildcats.

“Over the course of the last two months I have consulted a number of people in basketball before coming to this decision,” Jennings said in a statement released Tuesday night through his attorney, Jeff Valle.

“I would like to thank the University of Arizona for their interest and support through this process.”

Jennings, who played his final two high school seasons for Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, had not yet become academically eligible to play at Arizona.

He had been awaiting the results of a third college entrance exam, but decided instead to give up his scholarship, Valle said in a phone interview Tuesday night from his Los Angeles office.

“We don’t know the results of the test,” Valle said. “He’s been trying to make this decision as he waited through the eligibility process.”

Jennings was rated one of the top point guard recruits in the country and was expected to start for the Wildcats this season.

Jennings could not jump to the NBA, which requires players to be at least one year removed from their high school class graduation before being eligible to play in the league.

Valle said several European teams have expressed interest in Jennings, but would not reveal where his client might be headed.

“We’re disappointed in terms of Brandon’s decision, but we want to wish him the best of luck,” Arizona coach Lute Olson said in a statement. “We hope that things turn out well for him in the future.”