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By: Slam

Earlier this week I chronicled how the big Turkish prospect Enes Kanter would be playing his high school basketball at Findlay Prep. Now, we’ve got another European coming to America, and he answers to the name Nimrod Tishman. The 6’6″ Israeli point guard will be playing for Billy Donovan’s Florida Gators, presumably filling the void left by Panathinaikos’ new toy, Nick Calathes.

It’s been said that Brandon Jennings and Jeremy Tyler might be starting a trend of American exodus, but what about the other way around?  More and more, European prospects are turning down thousands if not millions of dollars in professional contracts in Europe to come over and play high school or college basketball in America with the hopes of making it to the NBA. I’ve never been a top European prospect, and it doesn’t look like that’s changing anytime soon; however, if I were, this would be my thought process:

European prospects passing up playing professionally in Europe for high school or college in America

Pros: 1. The safety net provided by a college degree

2. The chance to familiarize yourself with American culture

3. Exposure to NBA decision makers

Cons: 1. Money, money, money

2. Losing out on years of professional experience

3. Leaving the comfort of your native land

4. Money, money, money

Tishman averaged 18. 3 points and 2.3 assists for Israel in Under-18 European Championships, so one would expect him to be at least moderately successful.  Even if he’s not, his journey warrants attention, and you can’t fault the guy for trying something different.  Plus, it’s just fun as hell to say Nimrod Tishman.