G-League "elite program" luring top high school talent

[ArmyVet]

Two of the highest rated high school basketball players, Jalen Green and Isaiah Todd, have committed to play in the G-League next year as part of their expanded "elite program". Great opportunity for them, earning up to $500k and being promised a full academic scholarship when they want it. Makes a lot more sense for the top notch kids than playing in college for one year and then turning pro.

[Jet915]

Or the NBA can just get rid of the one and done rule so they don't have to pay them to go to the G league.

[GoldenWarrior11]

The MLB model is definitely the best route to go for the NBA/NCAA. Allow players to go straight to the NBA after HS, or they are ineligible to enter draft again until after JR season. With the rise of the G-League, as well as this year's developments of the G-League grabbing the elite-level talent, this path just gets one step closer.

[Omaha1]

I don’t think the NBA is going to sign up for the mess that MLB has with players leveraging a signing bonus against going to college and then losing a top rated draft pick because of it.

[Omaha1]

Another 5 star guy, Daisen Nix decommitted from UCLA to play in the G-league.

[ArmyVet]

NC State losing Top 25 recruit to the NBA draft as he is already 19 years old.

[ArmyVet]

Maybe the top 2021 recruit foregoing college and heading to the G-League. He actually reclassified to the 2020 class so this could take effect now.

Top-five prospect Jonathan Kuminga announced Wednesday night that he is bypassing college and joining the new G League professional pathway program.

Kuminga cut his list to five options in May, with Texas Tech, Auburn, Duke and Kentucky joining the G League. But the G League program, which will provide one-year development outside of the minor league's traditional team structure, was always the clear favorite. Texas Tech remained in the mix because Kuminga's brother, Joel Ntambwe, plays for the Red Raiders.

"If it wasn't the G League, I was going to play with my brother," Kuminga told The Athletic.

Kuminga is the fifth ESPN 100 prospect in the 2020 class to choose the G League over college, following Jalen Green (No. 1), Isaiah Todd (No. 15), Daishen Nix (No. 21) and Kai Sotto (No. 65).

Kuminga, the No. 4 prospect in 2020, was originally the No. 1 recruit in the 2021 class, but he graduated from The Patrick School in Hillside, New Jersey, in June.

[Savannah Jay]

I think college basketball will be better off if the kids that have no intention of, you know, going to college just skip the NCAA and go get a check. It's in their best interest, too. They can focus on basketball without risking injury during their one year in college.

I don't think college basketball will suffer for it. in 2003, the best high school basketball player on the planet (Lebron) skipped college ball. Did that diminish the 2003-04 basketball season and tournament? Do we need an asterisk by UCONN's natty? No, and no. There are 988 scholarships at the top 6 basketball conferences. If a handful of kids decide to skip college and go to the G-League, or overseas, or whatever, college basketball will be fine. The 988 kids filling out the rosters of those 6 conferences will put a good product on the floor.

[MUBoxer]

I think college basketball will be better off if the kids that have no intention of, you know, going to college just skip the NCAA and go get a check. It's in their best interest, too. They can focus on basketball without risking injury during their one year in college.

I don't think college basketball will suffer for it. in 2003, the best high school basketball player on the planet (Lebron) skipped college ball. Did that diminish the 2003-04 basketball season and tournament? Do we need an asterisk by UCONN's natty? No, and no. There are 988 scholarships at the top 6 basketball conferences. If a handful of kids decide to skip college and go to the G-League, or overseas, or whatever, college basketball will be fine. The 988 kids filling out the rosters of those 6 conferences will put a good product on the floor.

Likely casual viewership of people trying to see the next basketball Phenom will be down. But there's plenty of people watching for the name on the front of the jersey.

[DeltaV]

I think college basketball will be better off if the kids that have no intention of, you know, going to college just skip the NCAA and go get a check. It's in their best interest, too. They can focus on basketball without risking injury during their one year in college.

I don't think college basketball will suffer for it. in 2003, the best high school basketball player on the planet (Lebron) skipped college ball. Did that diminish the 2003-04 basketball season and tournament? Do we need an asterisk by UCONN's natty? No, and no. There are 988 scholarships at the top 6 basketball conferences. If a handful of kids decide to skip college and go to the G-League, or overseas, or whatever, college basketball will be fine. The 988 kids filling out the rosters of those 6 conferences will put a good product on the floor.

Likely casual viewership of people trying to see the next basketball Phenom will be down. But there's plenty of people watching for the name on the front of the jersey.

I'll admit, I feel some pride in Nova when you had people like Brunson who, even though they left early, worked hard and got their degree. I want those players representing my school (and the conference), not the ones who just show up to get the TV time for one year to improve their draft stock.

I was actually wondering if Bey was on the 3 year graduate plan, and if that would keep him for this season, since his mother is in education. Still, especially considering how ambiguous this season may be, going pro was probably his best choice (and maybe that was the plan, until this all happened).