NBA G League Ignite, the league’s owned-and-operated team focused on developing NBA prospects, is concluding its final season, NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim announced on Friday, Philippine time.
The decision to end the program comes amid the changing basketball landscape, including the NCAA’s Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) policy and the advent of collectives and the transfer portal.
Launched in April 2020, G League Ignite has provided a first-of-its-kind development pathway for NBA Draft prospects to hone their skills, learn the professional game and receive a salary and endorsement income ahead of their NBA Draft eligibility.
In Ignite’s first three seasons, the team developed 10 players who were selected in the NBA Draft, including four players taken in the top 10 of their classes. Ignite also offered a platform for top prospects to showcase their talents in the NBA G League Fall Invitational, which featured premier NBA Draft prospects and international teams such as Victor Wembanyama and the Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (2022) and Alexandre Sarr and the Perth Wildcats (2023).
“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,” said Abdur-Rahim.
“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.”
The 2023-24 Ignite roster features McDonald’s All-Americans and projected top NBA Draft picks Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland. The team will play its final game on March 28 against the Ontario Clippers. Nine Ignite veterans are currently in the NBA, including key contributors Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans), Jalen Green (Houston Rockets), Scoot Henderson (Portland Trail Blazers) and 2022 NBA champion Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors).
Jalen Green wasn't the only player with Filipino roots who had a stint with Ignite. Kai Sotto also suited up for the team back in 2020.
But they mutually parted ways as Sotto was granted permission to play for Gilas Pilipinas during the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifying Tournament in Qatar before that event was cancelled.
