NBA G League Ignite

NBA G League Ignite is a developmental basketball team affiliated with the NBA G League. Based in Walnut Creek, California, the team competes in exhibition games outside the G League's traditional team structure and is a part of the league's one-year development program for elite NBA prospects. Its roster will be made up of both prospects and veteran players. Ignite was created in April 16, 2020 and is touted as an alternative to college basketball, offering prospects salaries of up to $500,000.

NBA G League Ignite
LeagueNBA G League
FoundedApril 16, 2020
ArenaUltimate Fieldhouse
LocationWalnut Creek, California
Team colorsBlack, white
   
Head coachBrian Shaw
Affiliation(s)NBA G League

History

The NBA G League has been an avenue for high school, college and international prospects to be drafted into the NBA since 2008.[1] On October 18, 2018, the G League introduced Select Contracts of $125,000 for elite prospects, including opportunities for basketball development, life skills mentorship and academic scholarship, starting from the 2019–20 season.[2] However, no players in the 2019 high school class signed a Select Contract.[3]

On April 16, 2020, the G League announced a raised salary for elite prospects and a one-year development program outside of its traditional team structure.[4] The prospects will play alongside veteran players on a select team that will take part in training and 10 to 12 exhibition games against other G League teams, foreign national teams and NBA academies.[4][5][6] Players will earn financial incentives for playing games, participating in community events and attending life skills programs coordinated by the G League. They will also receive a full scholarship to Arizona State University, which has partnered with the NBA.[7]

On the same day that the G League's new development program was announced, Jalen Green, the highest ranked player in the 2020 high school class according to ESPN, became the first player to join the NBA G League Ignite, earning $500,000.[4][8] The G League subsequently drew attention as an alternative to college basketball, with some media outlets speculating that Green's decision would threaten the National Collegiate Athletic Association.[9][10][11] Green was soon joined on the team by fellow five-star recruits Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix, both former college commits, as well as Kai Sotto of the Philippines.[12] On June 9, 2020, former NBA player and coach Brian Shaw was named head coach of the Ignite.[13] On July 16, Jonathan Kuminga, the highest ranked player in the 2021 high school class, reclassified to the 2020 class and signed with the Ignite.[14][15] The name of the team, previously referred to as the G League Select Team, was announced as the NBA G League Ignite on September 2.[16] On November 12, the Ignite signed veteran players Brandon Ashley, Bobby Brown, Cody Demps, Reggie Hearn and Amir Johnson to play alongside and mentor the team's prospects.[17] On January 14th, 2021, the Ignite signed Jarrett Jack.

Current roster
Roster listing
NBA G League Ignite roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY-MM-DD)From
F/C – Hall, Donta 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 232 lb (105 kg) 1997–08–07 Alabama
G – Jack, Jarrett 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1983–10–28 Georgia Tech
F – Ashley, Brandon 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1994–07–15 Arizona
G – Brown, Bobby 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1984–09–24 Cal State Fullerton
G – Demps, Cody 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1993–12–02 Sacramento State
G 4 Green, Jalen (P) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002–02–09 Prolific Prep (CA)
G 38 Hearn, Reggie 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1991–08–14 Northwestern
F/C – Johnson, Amir 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1987–05–01 Westchester HS (CA)
F 0 Kuminga, Jonathan (P) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2002–10–06 The Patrick School (NJ)
G 1 Nix, Daishen (P) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2002–02–13 Trinity International (NV)
F/C 12 Singh, Princepal (P) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 2001–01–03 NBA Global Academy (AUS)
C 11 Sotto, Kai (P) 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 2002–05–11 The Skill Factory (GA)
F 7 Todd, Isaiah (P) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 206 lb (93 kg) 2001–10–17 Word of God (NC)
Head coach
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (P) Prospects
  • Injured

References
  1. "NBA G League 101: Path to the NBA Draft". NBA G League. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  2. "NBA G League Introduces Professional Path For Elite Basketball Prospects". NBA G League. October 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  3. Glier, Ray (October 29, 2019). "High School Stars Have Rejected G League's Select Contract". Forbes. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  4. Givony, Jonathan; Wojnarowski, Adrian (April 16, 2020). "Top high school player Jalen Green enters NBA/G League pathway". ESPN. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  5. Haynes, Chris (April 16, 2020). "Why the nation's top prep player is opting for the G League". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  6. Pickman, Ben (April 16, 2020). "Report: NBA G League to Launch LA-Based G League Team Headlined by Jalen Green". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  7. Young, Jabari (April 17, 2020). "A top high school basketball player could net up to $1 million by skipping college and playing for the NBA's G League". CNBC. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  8. O'Donnell, Ricky (April 16, 2020). "Jalen Green is the perfect G League prospect to take down the NCAA". SB Nation. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  9. Moore, Terence (April 17, 2020). "Jalen Green Picking G League Over NCAA Could Start Trend That Sees College Hoops Facing Shaky Future". Forbes. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  10. McCann, Michael (April 16, 2020). "Jalen Green's Decision to Join G League Shows NBA, NCAA Are Now Competitors". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  11. Borzello, Jeff (April 16, 2020). "Answering the big college basketball questions after Jalen Green's decision". ESPN. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  12. "Top International Prospect Kai Sotto Signs With NBA G League". NBA G League. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  13. Schlosser, Keith (June 9, 2020). "5x NBA Champion Brian Shaw Takes On Challenge As Head Coach of New G League Team". NBA G League. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  14. "Five-Star Recruit Jonathan Kuminga Signs With NBA G League". NBA G League. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  15. Boone, Kyle (July 15, 2020). "College basketball recruiting: No. 1 overall 2021 prospect Jonathan Kuminga spurns college for G League". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  16. "NBA G League Announces Ignite As Name For Team Of Elite Prospects". NBA G League. September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  17. "NBA Veterans Join NBA G League Ignite To Play Alongside Elite Prospects". NBA G League. November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
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