OT: NBA Shutting Down G League "Ignite", After 2023-24 Season

[Parliament10]

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NBA to shut down G League Ignite after this season
By Shams Charania | March 21, 2024

https://theathletic.com/5359987/2024/03/21/g-league-ignite-shut-down-nba/?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=twhq&source=twitterhq&redirected=1&access_token=5923576

Since 2020, the Ignite has produced more than 10 draft selections, including four top-10 picks. G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim oversaw the Ignite’s roster and coaching staff, hiring respected former NBA players and coaches in Brian Shaw and Jason Hart as the program’s head coaches over four years.

The Ignite has 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 last 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 across youth and collegiate basketball, now is the right time to take this step. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to general manager Anthony McClish, head coach Jason Hart and their staff and to each player who wore an Ignite jersey. As ever, the G League’s commitment to developing top NBA talent and helping players achieve their NBA dreams is unwavering.”

[BK_2020]

If they want a European-style development the kids have to be in the pipeline much earlier and not herded into a team of 18 year olds that will get slaughtered every game and have no one on the team to learn from.

[Bleedsgreen]

If they want a European-style development the kids have to be in the pipeline much earlier and not herded into a team of 18 year olds that will get slaughtered every game and have no one on the team to learn from.

Well think the purpose was more have alternative than push the kids to be exploited by the NCAA mill. The NBA Didn't want to allow 18 year old in and they also didn't want to get blamed for the exploration of the NCAA that the schools and coach's make millions on the back of the kids often from lower rungs of society, who were locked in and not even allowed to work a summer job. Outside of shady boosters/agent funneling money illegally to the kid. Ignite at least give them some money and some development for some select elite players. NCAA has not been forced to pay for the kids likeness and allow them to do their own endorsements.

[shackles10]

It wasn't as successful as they hoped, but the NIL has problems as well. Just open the league back up to 18 year olds and make it easy for them to go back to NCAA if they aren't drafted or pull out of the draft late at least. NCAA is going to look a lot different once the guys in their mid-20's can't play anymore. The occasional 23 year old who's a 5th year senior who red-shirted due to injury is ok. These 24 and 25 year-olds mixed with tons of 23 year-olds who are playing against 18 and 19 year-olds isn't ideal.

[bisme37]

It doesn't serve any purpose now that star recruits are making substantially more to go to college. G League Ignite paid like $500K per year and there are college players making 7 figures from NIL while living in swanky penthouses and being the most popular guy on campus.