The NBA is shutting down its G League Ignite team after this season, eliminating the development team of elite players and veterans formed in 2020, sources familiar with the matter said. The athlete.
The NBA launched Ignite at a time when no other American professional league offered draft-eligible players the opportunity to receive high compensation for playing before entering the draft. With the introduction of the Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) and transfer portal in college basketball, there is no longer a need for an elite Ignite team. Now the NIL allows players to earn money while they go to college and gain NCAA experience.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said last month at All-Star Weekend that the Ignite’s future was being reevaluated.
“I’m not sure what the future holds for the Ignite team because previously I felt like there was a gap in the market that we wanted to fill,” Silver said. “Now my focus is on the early development of these players.”
The league’s first two signings – Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets and Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors, the No. 2 and No. 7 picks, respectively, in the 2021 NBA Draft – represent tremendous success stories and are a testament to the Ignite Four’s performance . -General operations. Last year, Scott Henderson finished third overall for Portland after a standout season at Ignite. The elite prospect’s salary was believed to be up to $1 million per season, similar to Henderson’s 2022-23 contract.
Since 2020, Ignite has produced more than 10 draft picks, including four top-10 picks. G League President Sharif Abdel-Rahim oversaw the Ignite roster and coaching staff, hiring respected former NBA players and coaches such as Brian Shaw and Jason Hart as the program’s head coaches over a four-year period.
The Ignite have struggled with a 6-40 record this season, although Matas Bozlis and Ron Holland are projected as potential lottery picks in the June draft. Ignite’s final game is scheduled for March 28th.
(Top photo of Ron Holland, London Johnson and Eric Mika: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
2024-03-22 02:45:27
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