NEW YORK – NBA G League Ignite, the league’s owned-and-operated team focused on developing NBA prospects, is concluding its final season, NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim announced today. The decision to end the program comes amid the changing basketball landscape, including the NCAA’s Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) policy and the advent of collectives and the transfer portal.
Launched in April 2020, G League Ignite has provided a first-of-its-kind development pathway for NBA Draft prospects to hone their skills, learn the professional game and receive a salary and endorsement income ahead of their NBA Draft eligibility. In Ignite’s first three seasons, the team developed 10 players who were selected in the NBA Draft, including four players taken in the top 10 of their classes. Ignite also offered a platform for top prospects to showcase their talents in the NBA G League Fall Invitational, which featured premier NBA Draft prospects and international teams such as Victor Wembanyama and the Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (2022) and Alexandre Sarr and the Perth Wildcats (2023).
“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,” said Abdur-Rahim. “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.”
The 2023-24 Ignite roster features McDonald’s All-Americans and projected top NBA Draft picks Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland. The team will play its final game on March 28 against the Ontario Clippers. Nine Ignite veterans are currently in the NBA, including key contributors Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans), Jalen Green (Houston Rockets), Scoot Henderson (Portland Trail Blazers) and 2022 NBA champion Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors).
About the NBA G League
The NBA’s official minor league, the NBA G League prepares players, coaches, officials, training and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 30 teams with direct affiliations to NBA franchises and Mexico City’s Capitanes for 2024-25, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. 50 percent of all players on start-of-season 2023-24 NBA rosters boasted NBA G League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA Cares programs.
