Jalen Green: pioneer or NCAA menace?

High school basketball star Jalen Green, the number one prospect in the 2020 ESPN 100, is a pioneer in the professional basketball world. Green made history Thursday, April 16, by announcing that he will bypass college basketball to take part in the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) G League.

The G League is the NBA’s official minor league for elite prospects who want to gain firsthand experience in a professional playing field. The goal of this program is to allow players to assimilate into the NBA and grow into a new lifestyle. Although the league does not offer players the star-studded opportunities of playing in March Madness in front of fans on national television, it offers players the ability to play against NBA-caliber talent and be introduced to the NBA’s style of play and rules.

The NBA has reformed the original program to overcome past hurdles in securing participants for this program. Several incentives for NBA prospects include an increased salary of around $500,000 as well as professional coaching from the NBA community. Green will take part in the new one-year development program in addition to the original team structure. These adjustments offer players an irresistible offer: you can develop your skills under the wing of NBA professionals while being compensated for games played, completing community events and attending life skills programs.

Paving the way for future basketball players, Green’s decision to join the program is an example for top prospects who are looking for an alternative to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) programs. The G League is an opportunity for players who want to develop their skills in a professional setting to put themselves on the NBA’s radar.

The NCAA has long profited from college basketball while student-athletes are restricted from gaining financial benefits when playing on college sports teams. Although these players do receive scholarships for free education, many are frustrated that they are unable to receive outside compensation for their athletic success in college. Following Green’s lead, potential pro players can now join the NBA’s program as an alternative and be free of the NCAA rules. With the G League, players are free to accept sponsorship and deals from companies that have their eyes on these players.

Now, the NBA is setting its sights on ending the one-and-done draft model, which requires students to wait for one year after high school graduation before entering the NBA draft. Proponents of the G League believe that it has the potential to lead the way towards the end of this rule. G League participants like Green can now serve as an example for players who want to go professional in the United States immediately after high school.

With the coronavirus pandemic now affecting professional sports all around the world, the NBA’s G League is a significant financial investment. As college sports conditions remain uncertain in the coming year, this program could be the solution in providing potential NBA players a safe environment to develop their skills under the instruction of professional coaches.