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The NBA will shut down the G League Ignite team after this season, canceling the elite draft prospect and veteran development team that launched in 2020, sources briefed on the matter said. The Athletic on Thursday, a decision that was confirmed by the league later that day.
The NBA launched Ignite at a time when no other American professional league offered a path for pre-draft-eligible players to receive significant compensation for playing before entering the draft. With the rise of name, image and likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal in college basketball, the need for the elite Ignite team was eliminated. Now, NIL allows players to earn money while going to college and receiving NCAA experience.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver had said at All-Star weekend last month that Ignite’s future was being reevaluated.
“I’m not sure what the future of Team Ignite will be because before I felt like there was a gap in the market that we were filling,” Silver said. “Now my focus is on the early development of those players.”
The league’s top two signings, Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets and Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors, the No. 2 and No. 7 picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, respectively, represent tremendous stories of success and proof of achievement for the four from Ignite. -year of execution. Last year, Scoot Henderson went third overall to Portland after a standout Ignite season. Salaries for elite prospects are believed to have reached $1 million per season, like Henderson’s deal in 2022-23.
Since 2020, Ignite has produced more than 10 draft picks, including four top-10 picks. G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim oversaw Ignite’s roster and coaching staff, hiring respected former NBA players and coaches Brian Shaw and Jason Hart as the program’s head coaches for four years.
The Ignite have struggled this season with a 6-40 record, although prospects Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland are projected to be lottery picks in June’s draft. Ignite’s final game is scheduled for March 28.
“Four years ago, we started Ignite to fill a void in the basketball landscape and I’m proud of the contributions we were able to make to that ecosystem,” Abdur-Rahim said in a statement. “With the changing environment in youth and college basketball, now is the right time to take this step. I want to extend my sincere thanks to general manager Anthony McClish, head coach Jason Hart and his staff, and every player who wore an Ignite jersey. “As always, the G League’s commitment to developing the NBA’s top talent and helping players achieve their NBA dreams is unwavering.”
(Top photo of Ron Holland, London Johnson and Eric Mika: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)