Did Brandon Jennings start a trend? Is European professional basketball conspiring to raid the U.S. of basketball talent in the same way that the U.S. has been raiding European countries for years? This week, former Tech basketball player Ra’Sean Dickey became the latest player to give up NCAA eligibility to play professionally in Europe. Instead of playing his senior year, Dickey signed to play for Budivelnyk Kiev in the Ukrainian Super League.
The 6-10 center was redshirted last season but was slated to provide depth to Tech’s front line. Dickey averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 60.1 percent from the floor while at Tech.
While Dickey may not be the most dynamic player heading overseas, he and former Atlanta Hawk Josh Childress may have set important precedents, even more important than Jennings’s defection. If you are an average college or NBA player there is more money to be had by going to less talent-rich leagues. Dickey went from being a role player at Tech to whatever he is going to become in the Ukraine. And whatever he is going to become in the Ukraine, he’s going to get paid.
Crosskey can be reached at jcrosskey@scoreatl.com.
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