The NBA is shutting down the G League Ignite team after this season, canceling the development squad of elite draft prospects and veterans that was launched in 2020, sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic on Thursday, a decision that was confirmed by the league later in the day.
The NBA launched the Ignite at a point when no other American pro league provided a path for pre-draft eligible players to be significantly compensated to play before entering the draft. With the rise of name, image and likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal in college basketball, the need for the Ignite elite team was eliminated. Now, NIL allows players to earn money while going to college and receiving NCAA experience.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had said at All-Star Weekend last month that Ignite’s future was being reassessed.
“I’m not sure what the future of Team Ignite will be because before I felt there was a hole in the marketplace we were filling,” Silver said. “Now my focus is turning to earlier development of those players.”
The league’s first two signings — the Houston Rockets’ Jalen Green and the Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga, the No. 2 and No. 7 picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, respectively — represent tremendous success stories and proof of accomplishment for the Ignite’s four-year run. Last year, Scoot Henderson went No. 3 overall to Portland after a standout Ignite season. It’s believed salaries for elite prospects were as high as $1 million per season, such as Henderson’s deal in 2022-23.
Since 2020, the Ignite has produced more than 10 draft selections, including four top-10 picks. G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim oversaw the Ignite’s roster and coaching staff, hiring respected former NBA players and coaches in Brian Shaw and Jason Hart as the program’s head coaches over four years.
The Ignite has struggled this season with a 6-40 record, although prospects Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland are projected to be lottery picks in June’s draft. Ignite’s last game is scheduled for March 28.
“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 in a statement. “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.”
(Top photo of Ron Holland, London Johnson and Eric Mika: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
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