Jeremy Tyler, a 17-year-old, 6'11" center, will skip his senior year of high school to begin his professional basketball career playing overseas.

Tyler changed his mind after committing to play at Louisville upon graduation from high school.  He is now likely to join Spain this coming season, although other European teams are showing interest.

"Nowadays people look to college for more off-the-court stuff versus being in the gym and getting better," Tyler said. "If you're really focused on getting better, you go play pro somewhere. Pro guys will get you way better than playing against college guys."

Tyler is considered by many to be the most talented big man to come along since Greg Oden and is projected as the top pick in the 2011 NBA draft.

For an elite prodigy, particularly one with size, participating in organized basketball at the high school level may lack the competitive challenge that improves a player's game.

"It was boring and I wasn't getting better," Tyler said. "Each game was the same thing. I was getting triple-teamed and getting hacked. After each game I'd have scratches and bruises up and down my arms from getting triple-teamed. It just wasn't for me."