Related articles:

Arizona Wildcats basketball: Jennings considers playing in EuropeArizona Wildcat Basketball: Jennings no guarantee for 2009Arizona Wildcat basketball: Jennings will head to Europe Recruit Jennings says 'no guarantee' he'll come to UA even if he qualifies '09 recruit says many could turn to Europe No word on UA basketball recruit Jennings' SAT scoreArizona Wildcats basketball: Jennings score not coming today Jennings' SAT score delayed a third time

Other articles by Patrick Finley:

ASU's defensive play reaps offensive results Struggling Devils are cold on offense this year UA sophomore has 'come a long way' in last 11 months Best of the bunch, other awards Senior quarterback unbeaten in career versus Cats Good practices earn Johnson minutes RPI junkies will soon have to find a new connection Oregon St. zeroing in on berth in Rose Bowl Bowl picture involving Pac-10 teams still cloudy ASU, UCLA meet Friday in 'must-win' for both

Construction
Komatsu Equipment Co
Mechanic General
CORT
WAREHOUSE/DRIVER General
CORT
Warehouse Supervisor Health Care
Rio Salado College
PA's/Online Instructors Education
Assessment Technology, Inc
Social Studies Content Writer

Brandon Jennings does not have to wait for a test score — he is going to Europe.

Arizona's coveted recruit will become the first elite American player to bypass college and play professionally in Europe, his lawyer said late Tuesday.

"We made a decision to pursue Europe and the international option," Los Angeles-based attorney Jeffrey Valle told the Star.

Jennings' family hired Valle last month to explore a possible European career, instead of playing for the Arizona Wildcats.

"We're disappointed in terms of Brandon's decision, but we wish him the best of luck," UA coach Lute Olson said in a news release. "We hope that things turn out well for him in the future."

Olson is on the East Coast recruiting and was not available for further comment.

Jennings, a point guard from Oak Hill (Va.) Academy, was thought to be awaiting Friday's results from his third Scholastic Aptitude Test. Jennings, 18, did not receive a qualifying score in his first attempt. A better score on his second try caused the NCAA to "flag" Jennings, forcing him to take it a third time.

The results of Jennings' third test were supposed to be available June 26 but were delayed until Saturday. On Saturday, Jennings' family friend Kelly Williams said the score would not be available until Friday.

Valle said Jennings decided that playing in Europe was "the best way to develop his career." In doing so, Jennings becomes the first major American high school basketball player to choose playing overseas over attending college.

Valle — who said Jennings did not need to wait for his test results — listed the reasons for the Compton, Calif., native's decision.

"All the factors you would think — considering the pros and cons of what was available to him, wanting to play professionally, wanting to find a good environment," Valle said. "He's been thinking long and hard. Several teams have expressed interest."

Once signing with a European team, Jennings would likely play only one season before entering the 2009 NBA draft.

Before the European announcement, Jennings was ranked as the fourth-best prospect for the 2009 NBA draft, according to ESPN.com. Draft Express projected Jennings fifth.

Losing Jennings — ranked as the nation's top 2008-09 recruit by numerous services — is a blow to the Wildcats.

Arizona has already suffered through an uneven offseason. Swingman Chase Budinger decided to withdraw his name from the NBA draft and return for his junior year, and guard Nic Wise decided against transferring.

Jerryd Bayless left the Wildcats after one year and was selected 11th overall by the Indiana Pacers before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers.

In May, recruit Emmanuel Negedu asked for a release from his binding letter of intent after expressing concern with the UA's coaching changes.

UA athletic director Jim Livengood granted the release, and the forward from Brewster Academy (N.H.) later signed to play at Tennessee.

The Wildcats have eight returning scholarship players and three incoming recruits — center Jeff Withey, wing Brandon Lavender and guard Kyle Fogg — set to play next season.

Jennings whetted Arizona fans' appetites Dec. 22 at McKale Center, scoring 49 points in the GOAZCATS.com Showdown against Dudley (N.C.) High School. He signed autographs afterward and talked of a future in Tucson — one that would never materialize.

"I won't say it's my house yet," he said then. "I've got to get a couple wins under my belt first."