USA - Bucks excited to have Brandon Jennings signed
Brandon Jennings may have to wait a while for a much-anticipated matchup against Spanish guard Ricky Rubio, who was picked fifth in the June draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Rubio appears likely to stay in Spain next season, while No. 10 pick Jennings gets busy with his transition to the National Basketball Association after playing last year in Italy. The Milwaukee Bucks signed Jennings to a rookie-scale contract on Tuesday, a multiyear deal that will pay him $3.75 million for the first two seasons, including a salary of $1.8 million next season. The Bucks hold options for the third and fourth seasons.
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Brandon Jennings may have to wait a while for a much-anticipated matchup against Spanish guard Ricky Rubio, who was picked fifth in the June draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Rubio appears likely to stay in Spain next season, while No. 10 pick Jennings gets busy with his transition to the National Basketball Association after playing last year in Italy.
The Milwaukee Bucks signed Jennings to a rookie-scale contract on Tuesday, a multiyear deal that will pay him $3.75 million for the first two seasons, including a salary of $1.8 million next season. The Bucks hold options for the third and fourth seasons.
"We’re excited to have Brandon join our organization," Bucks general manager John Hammond said. "We feel he has an extremely bright future."
Even Jennings wasn’t sure what would happen on draft night, after he had spent several weeks feverishly working out for NBA teams.
Many general managers had questions about him because the 6-foot-1 guard had taken the rare step of playing with a pro team in Italy, Lottomatica Roma, following his senior at Oak Hill Academy (Va.) in 2008.
And he had spent plenty of time on the bench in Europe, leading to even more questions.
Jennings averaged just 5.5 points and 2.3 assists in 27 Italian League games, and 7.6 points and 1.6 assists in 16 Euroleague games.
But the 19-year-old dispelled some lingering doubts during the workout process, and he convinced Bucks officials he was the player they should grab at No. 10. Jennings questioned Rubio for refusing to work out with NBA teams and said the Spanish player’s lofty status was "all hype," although he toned down those comments later.
The only point guards taken in front of Jennings were Rubio and No. 6 pick Jonny Flynn, who also went to Minnesota; and No. 7 choice Stephen Curry, taken by Golden State.
During the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas this month, Jennings averaged 14.6 points while tying for the league lead in assists with 8.2 per game.
"He just reconfirmed that he has great floor vision and that he’s extremely unselfish," Hammond said.
The 6-foot-1 Jennings averaged more than 32 minutes during five games in Las Vegas as he got his first taste of coach Scott Skiles’ system. He also had a chance to combine with several of the Bucks’ young players, including forwards Amir Johnson, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Joe Alexander.
"I’m excited to sign my contract and make my NBA career official," Jennings said Tuesday. "I look forward to working with coach Skiles and learning everything I can from him, as well as my teammates."
The Bucks had to complete some paperwork with FIBA regarding Jennings’ time in Italy, but Hammond said there were no "major complications."
Milwaukee earlier signed second-round pick Jodie Meeks to a three-year contract.
Jennings is expected to have a great chance to win the starting point guard job next season. Veteran Luke Ridnour also returns at the point, and restricted free agent Ramon Sessions’ status remains uncertain.
The Bucks will have an opportunity to match any contract offers made to Sessions. The 6-3 guard has received interest from several teams, including the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers, but has yet to receive an offer sheet.