“Jeremy gives us a brand and recognition, globally and particularly in the US, for young players who say, ‘College is not for me, and I know that Haifa is a place where I can get a salary and get trained,’” Rosen said, stressing that this was not a one-time move. “Jeremy is not a circus act.”
Stuck between the prodigy’s path and the owner’s vision is Ashkenazi, a hard-nosed Israeli coach unaccustomed to handling the attitude, ego and self-importance of teenage American stars.
“I’m in a terrible position,” Ashkenazi said. “But I’m a worker and employee of Mr. Jeff Rosen. If it’s important to him, our commitment is for that.”
For missing a workout and showing up late to an interview, Tyler was fined US$1,000, the largest penalty the team had levied in three years. Tyler said he would be fined US$1,000 for each subsequent violation.
“These are all men out here,” Rich said. “The way you earn respect is by keeping your mouth shut and going to work and being a professional.”
At his apartment, Tyler said, neighbors have called the police three times with complaints that he was playing music too loud.
Discussing his problems, Tyler tended to point fingers. He said his teammates should treat him like a man. Asked about his reluctance to work and listen to his coaches, he said he was skeptical of their knowledge and methods. Tyler, the captain and focus of his high school’s offense, said he was still adjusting to a new role.
“If you take me from when I first got off the plane,” he said, “I have changed and developed and matured so much.”
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