The NBA will shut down the G League Ignite development team after the 2023-24 season.
The league announced the decision Thursday as Ignite is struggling in its second season playing a full G League schedule.
The program was created in 2020 to give top prospects an alternative path to the NBA. Instead of going the college basketball route, prospects could sign with G League Ignite to get paid while working toward their goal.
Prior to the NCAA policy change allowing players to be compensated for their name, image and likeness (NIL), Ignite was one of only two avenues in the United States, along with Overtime Elite, through which players could be paid to play basketball. out of high school.
At first, G League Ignite advocates advocated for the team as a solid option for preparing players for the next level, allowing them to compete against other professionals while receiving coaching, coaching, and more NBA focus.
However, after four experimental seasons, the NBA decided to close the development team. This is why.
Why is the NBA shutting down G League Ignite?
“The decision to end the program comes amid the changing basketball landscape, including the NCAA’s name, image and likeness (NIL) policy and the arrival of collectives and the transfer portal.” NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim said in the league’s news release Thursday.
G League Ignite and similar alternative paths to the NBA were once seen as a potential death knell for men’s college basketball. But the NIL policy flipped the script, as the league’s statement made clear.
“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. “With the changing environment in youth and college basketball, now is the right time to take this step.
“…As always, the G League’s commitment to developing the NBA’s top talent and helping players achieve their NBA dreams is unwavering.”
The decision doesn’t come as a huge surprise after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s comments hinted at this fate at the NBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis.
“I’m not sure what the future of Team Ignite will be because before I felt like there was a gap in the market that we were filling. Now my focus is on the early development of those players,” Silver said.
The Ignite program will end with the close of the 2023-24 season.
G League Ignite Record
The Ignite did not begin playing a full 32-game G League schedule until the 2022-23 season.
In 2020-21, the team played a shortened 15-game schedule. In 2021-22, he only played exhibition games and the G League Showcase Cup.
After finishing 11-21 last year, the development team has fallen off a cliff this season. with a record of 2-28 in 30 games.
You can find Ignite’s records for each season below.
| Year | Overall record | Placement |
| 2020-21 | 8-7 | 8th (of 18) |
| 2021-22 | 9-18 | — |
| 2022-23 | 11-21 | 12th in West (out of 15) |
| 2023-24 | 2-28* | 15th in West (out of 15) |
*There are four games left in the 2023-24 season.
NBA Outlook from G League Ignite
Despite the team’s lack of success, the Ignite had more players drafted than any other program in the world during his mandate. However, neither player made an immediate impact even after playing a full professional season.
The show’s main stars include Rockets star Jalen Green, Warriors rising star Jonathan Kuminga and Trail Blazers rookie Scoot Henderson.
Ignite also has a handful of prospects projected for the 2024 NBA Draft this season, led by Ron Holland, Matas Buzelis, Tyler Smith and Izan Almansa.
You can find the full list of Ignite players drawn up below.
| Year of writing | Round | Choose | Player | Equipment |
| 2021 | 1 | 2 | pull green | rockets |
| 2021 | 1 | 7 | Jonathan Kuminga | Warriors |
| 2021 | 2 | 31 | Isaiah Todd | magicians |
| 2022 | 1 | 8 | Dyson Daniels | pelicans |
| 2022 | 1 | 24 | Marjon Beauchamp | Dollars |
| 2022 | 2 | 37 | Jaden Hardy | Mavericks |
| 2023 | 1 | 3 | Scott Henderson | Trail jackets |
| 2023 | 2 | 33 | Leonardo Miller | timber wolves |
| 2023 | 2 | 4 | Sidy Cissoko | Spurs |
| 2023 | 2 | 47 | King of Mojave | pacemaker |
What the G League Ignite news means for future NBA prospects
Ignite’s termination means top prospects will likely return to college basketball.
There are still other alternative paths, including Australia’s NBL Next Stars program and Overtime Elite. But with the NCAA’s new NIL rules, players can now receive a similar opportunity to get paid while playing traditional college basketball.
In recent years there have been reports that the NBA was considering lowering the minimum entry age to 18. Players were allowed out of high school until 2005, but that minimum age was raised to 19 in 2006.
However, as of the most recent NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, The league and the Players Association decided to keep the minimum age at 19 for now.
