In 2020, the NBA decided to take an unexpected step: open its own team in the G-League or Development League. The project, called Ignite, was born with the goal of becoming an alternative to the NCAA to continue the careers of young players after graduation. The league has some historical conflicts with college basketball, so this move seemed justified.
The main criticism of the NCAA is the lack of salaries for players. This happens even though college games generate huge amounts of money due to multi-million dollar ratings and packed stadiums. Under current rules, basketball players cannot declare for the draft immediately after graduating from high school; Even the most talented players must spend at least one year at the college level without receiving money.
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In contrast, Ignite offered basketball players the opportunity to make big money starting in their teens. In the program’s first year, future 2021 No. 2 overall pick Jaylen Green played for the team. In total, the project was able to develop 10 players who reached the NBA. Notable ones include, among others, Jonathan Kuminga and Scoot Henderson.
The NBA actively supported the project, inviting Ignite players to the all-star weekend. But, as it became known the other day, the team will cease to exist after this season. Why did the league take such a step? Let’s try to solve it.
The NCAA has found a way for star prospects to make money.
Bronny James
Photo: David Becker/Getty Images
The NCAA responded fairly quickly to the creation of Ignite. Thus, already in 2021, the student organization has come up with a clever way to prevent the best players from moving to the G-League. These became three terrible letters: NIL. What it is? It’s a rule, though it works differently in each state, that allows NCAA players to make money off their name. The right to have their own brand now belongs to the athletes themselves.
Players who decided to move to the Ignite team received around $125 thousand, while thanks to NIL Bronny James will earn around $5.9 million a year. And everyone is happy! The NCAA has not abandoned the unbreakable tradition of basketball players not receiving a salary, but star players have the opportunity to make money off their name.
Talent development was not the most effective
Scott Henderson
Photo: Alika Jenner/Getty Images
Ignite has never fully established itself as an effective NBA preparation platform. Yes, as already mentioned, 10 players managed to make it to the NBA, but among them it is unlikely that there will be those who could not have made it without experience in the G-League. But who ended up becoming the stars? Still no one. Jaylen Green is having the worst season of his career and probably won’t get the max contract he wants from Houston, Scoot Henderson was underdrafted and has been fighting for a spot in Portland’s rotation all season. Kuminga is still promising and other names are not even worth mentioning as many have not even heard of these players.
Internal competition for minutes on the court
Turn on the team players
Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Ignite is the only equipment of its kind. At first, the project attracted a considerable number of actors, which inevitably led to serious internal competition. This is good for the success of the team, but not the best conditions to prove his worth to the executives of the NBA franchise.
There are many teams at different levels in the NCAA, allowing everyone to find the spot that suits them best. Do you want to play at March Madness and be in front of a big audience? There are many requesting teams, if you reach the level, you will surely receive an invitation from several of these organizations. Are you afraid that you won’t be able to fully express yourself there? Choose a more modest team where you can spend 20-30 minutes on the court, collect excellent statistics and qualify for inclusion in the symbolic teams.
Many Ignite players could have been leaders on NCAA teams, but end up bogged down by internal competition, causing their mock draft position to drop.
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