The NBA made a surprising announcement this week, revealing that they will be shutting down the G League Ignite team after the current season. This decision effectively ends the development squad of elite draft prospects and veterans that was launched in 2020.
The league confirmed the news after reviewing the landscape of player development, particularly with the increase in name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities and the transfer portal in college basketball. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver mentioned a shift in focus towards earlier player development as the reason for ending the Ignite program.
Since its inception in 2020, the Ignite team has seen more than 10 draft selections, with four of them being top-10 picks. Despite a tough season with a 6-40 record, prospects Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland are expected to be lottery picks in the upcoming NBA draft.
Over the past four years, G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim has overseen the roster and coaching staff of the Ignite team, bringing in respected former NBA players and coaches. Abdur-Rahim expressed pride in the contributions of the Ignite team to the basketball ecosystem and thanked the staff and players for their dedication.
The Ignite team’s final game is set for March 28, marking the end of an era for the development squad. As the NBA continues to evolve its player development strategies, the decision to close the Ignite program reflects a new direction for the league.
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