The NBA will shut down its G League Ignite team after this season and cancel the development team made up of elite draft prospects and veterans that it launched in 2020, people briefed on the matter said. The Athletic.
The NBA launched Ignite at a time when no other American professional league offered a path for pre-draft eligible players to be paid handsomely to play before entering the draft. With the rise of name, image, and likeness (NIL) in college basketball and the transfer portal, the need for an Ignite elite team has disappeared. Now, the NIL allows players to earn money while attending college and gaining NCAA experience.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said during last month's All-Star Weekend that Ignite's future was being reevaluated.
“I don't know what the future holds for Team Ignite, because previously we felt there was a hole in the market that we were filling,” Silver said. “Now my focus is on the early development of those 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 in the 2021 NBA Draft, respectively, represent a tremendous success story for the Ignite's four players. This is proof of achievement. – Year run. Last year, Scoot Henderson finished third overall in Portland after an outstanding Ignite season. Elite prospects, such as Henderson's contract for the 2022-23 season, are thought to be worth as much as $1 million per season.
Since 2020, Ignite has produced more than 10 draft picks, including four top-10 picks. G League President Shareef Abdul-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 coach for four years.
Ignite is struggling with a 6-40 record this season, but prospects Matas Bouzelis and Ron Holland are expected to be selected in the lottery in June's draft. Ignite's final match is scheduled for March 28th.
(Top photo of Ron Holland, London Johnson and Eric Mika: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
