Top recruit Jalen Green said Thursday that he is skipping college and has signed with the G League for next season, becoming the first player to take advantage of a new potential path to the NBA.
Green, a guard hailing from Napa, California and regarded by some as this year’s top high school recruit, is set to be eligible for the 2021 NBA draft. He appears to be a strong contender for one of the top selections.
In his Instagram Live story, Green revealed his ultimate goal is to make it to the NBA. To achieve this, he has chosen to collaborate with the NBA G League’s new team for elite players. His main motivation is to enhance his gameplay, work on his skills, and gain strength. By taking this path, he believes he will be more prepared for the NBA. This is his strategy to get one step closer and to be ready when the opportunity presents itself.
As an elite prospect, Green will make $500,000 for one season, according to ESPN. He will play for a still-being-developed program, but not for any G League team or with affiliation with an NBA franchise. He, and any others who follow, will play under the G League umbrella, focusing on draft preparation, basketball readiness and life skills.
blessing from the man above❤️ pic.twitter.com/TItfZTSX85
— Jalen Green (@JalenGreen) April 16, 2020
The announcement on Thursday elicited reactions from NBA players throughout the league.
so proud of you lil brudda keep going up you know 12 wit ya @JalenGreen
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) April 16, 2020
Bro just changed the game! Salute and congrats youngin @JalenGreen https://t.co/B9pg9zJrxG
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) April 16, 2020
Game Changer! https://t.co/rnYptXIHOy
— Jordan Clarkson (@JordanClarksons) April 16, 2020
The deal with Green will also encompass a college scholarship and accommodations for living.
Five-star prospect Isaiah Todd, who decommitted from the University of Michigan, reached a deal with the NBA G League as well on Friday.
The program the G League announced in 2018 would offer ”select contracts” to players who did not want to play college basketball but were not yet eligible for the Draft.
However, none of those agreements were ever carried out due to several reasons. The feedback received by the G League indicated that players considered the $125,000 salary to be inadequate, were uncomfortable with the unpredictability of their placement, and were uncertain about their team allocation.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Darius Bazley announced in 2018 that he would forego college and go straight to the NBA G League, but later opted to participate in a three-month internship with New Balance worth reportedly $1 million. Bazley was selected in the first round of the 2019 draft at 23rd overall.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
