The NBA G League is disbanding its Ignite team after this season, league president Shareef Abdur-Rahim said Thursday.
The NBA created the team in 2020 as a home for top prospects who weren’t yet eligible for the NBA draft and wanted to play professionally for a year — and get paid.
But now, with name, image and likeness deals in the NCAA, young players can receive significant payment while in college, taking away the need for the Ignite.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this year that the Ignite filled “a hole in the marketplace” but that its future was up in the air.
“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 across youth and collegiate basketball, now is the right time to take this step. … As ever, the G League’s commitment to developing top NBA talent and helping players achieve their NBA dreams is unwavering.”
Among Ignite players, four have been top 10 NBA draft picks, including Jalen Green (Houston Rockets) and Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors). Overall, 10 Ignite prospects have been drafted.
The final game for the Ignite is scheduled for March 28 against the Ontario Clippers in Ontario, Calif.
–Field Level Media