NBA G League Ignite

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NBA G League Ignite
2021–22 NBA G League season
NBA G League Ignite logo
LeagueNBA G League
Founded2020
HistoryNBA G League Ignite
2020–present
ArenaUltimate Fieldhouse
LocationWalnut Creek, California
Team colorsBlack, grey, white[1]
     
Head coachJason Hart[2]
WebsiteOfficial website

The NBA G League Ignite is a developmental basketball team affiliated with the NBA G League. Based in Walnut Creek, California, the team was designed to play exhibition games outside the G League's traditional scheduling as part of a one-year development program for elite National Basketball Association (NBA) prospects. Its roster is made up of both prospects and veteran players. Ignite was created on April 16, 2020, and is touted as an alternative to college basketball, offering prospects salaries of up to $500,000.

History[]

The NBA G League has been an avenue for high school, college and international prospects to be drafted into the NBA since 2008.[3] 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.[4] However, no players in the 2019 high school class signed a Select Contract.[5]

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.[6] 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.[6][7][8] 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.[9]

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.[6][10] 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.[11][12][13] 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.[14] On June 9, 2020, former NBA player and coach Brian Shaw was named head coach of the Ignite.[15] 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.[16][17] 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.[18] 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.[19] On January 14, 2021, the Ignite signed Jarrett Jack.

The Ignite joined the 2020–21 season playing a full 15-game schedule in the single-site bubble tournament in Orlando, Florida, with 11 teams opting not to participate.[20][21]

Season by season[]

Season Division Regular season Postseason results
Finish Wins Losses Pct.
NBA G League Ignite
2020–21 — 8th 8 7 .533 Lost quarterfinal (Raptors 905) 102–127
Regular season record 8 7 .533
Playoff record 0 1 .000

Current roster[]

NBA G League Ignite roster
  • v
  • t
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) From
G 4 Allen, Dakarai 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1995–02–04 San Diego State
G/F 14 Beauchamp, MarJon (P) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 199 lb (90 kg) 2000–10–12 Yakima Valley
F 3 Daniels, Dyson (P) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 199 lb (90 kg) 2003–03–17 Australia
F 11 Foster, Michael (P) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 2003–01–16 Hillcrest Prep (AZ)
C 15 Govan, Jessie 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 252 lb (114 kg) 1997–07–25 Georgetown
G 7 Hardy, Amauri 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1998–04–30 Oregon
G 1 Hardy, Jaden (P) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 198 lb (90 kg) 2002–07–05 Coronado HS (NV)
G 0 Henderson, Scoot (P) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2004–02–03 Carlton J. Kell HS (GA)
G 5 Jeter, Eugene 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1983–12–02 Portland
F/C 00 Johnson, Amir 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 253 lb (115 kg) 1987–05–01 Westchester HS (CA)
C 41 Koufos, Kosta 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 275 lb (125 kg) 1989–02–24 Ohio State
G 55 Murphy, Kevin 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1990–03–06 Tennessee Tech
F 21 Pope, Malik 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1996–07–25 San Diego State
F 12 Zeng, Fanbo (P) 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 199 lb (90 kg) 2003–01–11 Windermere Prep (FL)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (P) Prospects
  • (NBA) On assignment from NBA affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: December 20, 2021

Drafted players[]

List of G League Ignite players selected in the NBA Draft
Draft Player Nationality Pick no. Team
2021 Jalen Green  United States 2 Houston Rockets
Jonathan Kuminga  DR Congo 7 Golden State Warriors
Isaiah Todd  United States 31 Milwaukee Bucks

References[]

  1. ^ "NBA G League Ignite Reproduction and Usage Guideline Sheet". NBA Properties, Inc. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "Jason Hart Named Head Coach of NBA G League Ignite". GLeague.NBA.com (Press release). NBA Media Ventures, LLC. August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "NBA G League 101: Path to the NBA Draft". NBA G League. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  4. ^ "NBA G League Introduces Professional Path For Elite Basketball Prospects". NBA G League. October 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  5. ^ Glier, Ray (October 29, 2019). "High School Stars Have Rejected G League's Select Contract". Forbes. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c Givony, Jonathan; Wojnarowski, Adrian (April 16, 2020). "Top high school player Jalen Green enters NBA/G League pathway". ESPN. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  7. ^ Haynes, Chris (April 16, 2020). "Why the nation's top prep player is opting for the G League". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Borzello, Jeff (April 16, 2020). "Answering the big college basketball questions after Jalen Green's decision". ESPN. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  14. ^ "Top International Prospect Kai Sotto Signs With NBA G League". NBA G League. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ "Five-Star Recruit Jonathan Kuminga Signs With NBA G League". NBA G League. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "NBA G League Announces Ignite As Name For Team Of Elite Prospects". NBA G League. September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  19. ^ "NBA Veterans Join NBA G League Ignite To Play Alongside Elite Prospects". NBA G League. November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  20. ^ "Ignite Team Featuring Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga Among 18 Teams Expected To Participate In G League Bubble". Forbes. December 24, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  21. ^ "NBA G League to begin 2020-21 season in February at Disney World bubble, per report". CBS Sports. December 29, 2020.

External links[]

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