The Jeremy Tyler experiment will take place in Israel.

Tyler, the talented 6-foot-11 San Diego native who has opted to bypass his senior season in high school, signed a one-year deal worth $140,000 with Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Premier League.

This is completely different than what Brandon Jennings did for a couple of reasons. First of all, Jennings hadn't been cleared by the NCAA academically when he opted to go to Italy.

Second of all, Jennings earned about $1 million – a far cry from the $140,000 that Tyler is making overseas.

It's a risk that didn't hurt Jennings – as he was drafted 10th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks.

The biggest knock I've seen and heard on Tyler is his lack of desire to play hard all the time. He's arguably the most talented big man in the country – and that includes the Class of 2010 – but he plays when he wants to.

Tyler signed a one-year deal, but if all goes well, he'll likely remain for two seasons since he's not eligible for next year's NBA Draft.

Remember, if Tyler had stayed in the U.S. and stuck with his commitment, he'd be playing for Louisville coach Rick Pitino in a couple years.

WOOLDRIDGE ORCHESTRATES QUICK TURNAROUND AT RIVERSIDE

I remember seeing UC Riverside a few years back at Long Beach State, and it was downright ugly.

I felt bad for then-interim coach Von Webb because he was barely able to field a team.

Well, three years later, new head coach Jim Wooldridge – with Webb helping as an assistant – has turned things around with the Highlanders.

UC Riverside won 17 games last season and finished .500 in Big West play – and Wooldridge is excited about bringing top two players back: USC transfer Kyle Austin (16.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and point guard Javon Borum.

Austin is arguably the top player in the league.

"He had a lot to do with changing our team and the way our program views itself," Wooldridge said.

Wooldridge said that one of the reasons why the Highlanders were able to taste some success last season was the toughness of both Austin and Borum.

"As much as the physical part of everything has changed, the mental aspect is so different than when I took over," Wooldridge said.

The Highlanders will lose starter Aaron Scott (9.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg), but look for Gonzaga transfer Larry Gurganious to move right into that spot.

"We'll play him a lot like we did with Aaron," Wooldridge said.

Wooldridge also brought in a few newcomers – led by junior college guard Dwight Gordon.

"We're going to be a lot more athletic, and we have more experience coming back," he added. "And at this level, you can't buy experience."

RANDOM NOTES: I spoke to both Harrison and Shirley Barnes yesterday and both said the goal is to cut down his list to five at the end of the month. "That's when I'm going to try and narrow it down," Harrison said. Barnes will head to Chris Paul's camp this weekend and then go to New York for the first time when he plays in the Boost Mobile streetball game at Rucker Park. Barnes won't take the common approach in the fall, though, and intends to visit schools around basketball events and not necessarily football games. ... Rod Odom Sr., said his son is taking an unofficial to UConn today. His list includes the Huskies, Louisville, Arizona, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Harvard and Vanderbilt. ... Both Odom Sr. and Louisville pledge Michael Chandler said the recent news involving Louisville coach Rick Pitino won't change anything regarding the Cardinals. ... One of my favorite players to watch, point guard Phil Pressey, will also be at Chris Paul’s Camp this weekend. Pressey said his list of six is Arizona, UConn, Baylor, Missouri, LSU and UCLA. His father, former NBA player Paul Pressey, and Missouri head coach Mike Anderson have a relationship that dates back to when Phil was a baby. ... One of the biggest summer risers, skilled forward Dwight Powell, has trimmed his list to Stanford, Harvard and Georgia Tech, according to Scout.com's Dave Telep. Powell has already set up official visits to all three. ... IUPUI received a commitment, according to the Indianapolis Star, from Mt. Vernon wing P.J. Hubert.