OT: G-League to offer "One-and-Done" Path

[GONYK]

ESPN.com: G League to offer $125K option to 1-and-done.
https://www-espn-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25015812/g-league-offer-professional-path-elite-prospects-not-wanting-go-one-done-route-ncaa?platform=amp

As part of a newly formed professional path starting in the summer of 2019, the G League will offer "Select Contracts" worth $125,000 to elite prospects who are at least 18 years old but not yet eligible for the NBA draft.

The G League will target recent or would-be high school graduates who otherwise would have likely spent just one season playing college basketball, enticing them not only with a six-figure salary but also the opportunity to benefit from NBA infrastructure, as well as a bevy of off-court development programs "geared towards facilitating and accelerating their transition to the pro game," league president Malcolm Turner told ESPN.

Without the restrictions of the NCAA's amateurism rules, players will also be free to hire agents, profit off their likeness and pursue marketing deals from sneaker companies and the like, which could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in endorsement opportunities to top prospects.

[DOT]

I wonder how many people will take that over the exposure/hype that comes with playing on say Duke or Kentucky

[cuyankees]

Say night, night to current college basketball and hello to old school college basketball and more parity.

[thebuzzardman]

ESPN.com: G League to offer $125K option to 1-and-done.
https://www-espn-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25015812/g-league-offer-professional-path-elite-prospects-not-wanting-go-one-done-route-ncaa?platform=amp

As part of a newly formed professional path starting in the summer of 2019, the G League will offer "Select Contracts" worth $125,000 to elite prospects who are at least 18 years old but not yet eligible for the NBA draft.

The G League will target recent or would-be high school graduates who otherwise would have likely spent just one season playing college basketball, enticing them not only with a six-figure salary but also the opportunity to benefit from NBA infrastructure, as well as a bevy of off-court development programs "geared towards facilitating and accelerating their transition to the pro game," league president Malcolm Turner told ESPN.

Without the restrictions of the NCAA's amateurism rules, players will also be free to hire agents, profit off their likeness and pursue marketing deals from sneaker companies and the like, which could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in endorsement opportunities to top prospects.

It's big in and of itself, but that bolded part in this day and age makes it really really interesting and significant.

[Phish Tank]

i see mid-level prospects taking this offer. Don't see the Kentucky recruits accepting this when they already get the private jets and perks of being in Kentucky

[cuyankees]

I wonder how many people will take that over the exposure/hype that comes with playing on say Duke or Kentucky

With social media these days, 1 year in college is pointless, Zion being a great example. Dude had a following in high school and imagine he'd take the 125k over college any day.

[GONYK]

i see mid-level prospects taking this offer. Don't see the Kentucky recruits accepting this when they already get the private jets and perks of being in Kentucky

You have to be deemed "elite" to take advantage of this

[Phish Tank]

i see mid-level prospects taking this offer. Don't see the Kentucky recruits accepting this when they already get the private jets and perks of being in Kentucky

You have to be deemed "elite" to take advantage of this

then I can't see the 5-Star Kentucky recruits accepting this

[Toranaga]

I also have a hard time seeing the true elite going this route, but good on the NBA for at least giving these kids more options. Long overdue.

[cgf]

I love this. It might take a while for the truly elite guys to consider not going the college route, but I love seeing the NBA finally starting to get properly involved with youth development.

I'm not saying the NBA needs to go full French or German FA with their nationally organized & funded regional academies, but the way young talent is developed in NA sports has always made no sense to me.

[god shammgod]

it will happen slowly but eventually this will kill college ball. most of these kids are not rich and have no real interest in college. once a few do it and it doesn't hurt their place in the draft, it's over and they'll all go.

[blueNorange]

i see mid-level prospects taking this offer. Don't see the Kentucky recruits accepting this when they already get the private jets and perks of being in Kentucky

You have to be deemed "elite" to take advantage of this

then I can't see the 5-Star Kentucky recruits accepting this

well then i guess they won't make 125k.

[god shammgod]

the ncaa must be really mad at this news because this is an attempt to completely disrupt their business model. and i couldn't be more thrilled if they're successful. they've taken advantage of these kids for long enough.

[Capn'O]

it will happen slowly but eventually this will kill college ball. most of these kids are not rich and have no real interest in college. once a few do it and it doesn't hurt their place in the draft, it's over and they'll all go.

Bingo. There will be some pioneers. They will succeed. The G-League will get exposure in its own right. And the sham (beg pardon) of amateur athletics will be over.

[IllmaticHandler]

i see mid-level prospects taking this offer. Don't see the Kentucky recruits accepting this when they already get the private jets and perks of being in Kentucky

And still have to eat ramen noodles and borrow money.

[Fat Kat]

Read on Twitter

[thebuzzardman]

10 years from now it'll all be intramural scholarships.

[Capn'O]

Read on Twitter

How does that work? Could they then be picked up by any NBA team once they hit the age requirement and forego the draft process entirely? Or do they have to sit around in the G-League for a year and then get drafted?

[DOT]

Read on Twitter

How does that work? Could they then be picked up by any NBA team once they hit the age requirement and forego the draft process entirely? Or do they have to sit around in the G-League for a year and then get drafted?

Still have to go through the draft, just they go to the G League for a year instead of college

[WargamesX]

Read on Twitter

How does that work? Could they then be picked up by any NBA team once they hit the age requirement and forego the draft process entirely? Or do they have to sit around in the G-League for a year and then get drafted?

If its the latter why would teams bother to invest in the player once they know they won't be able to draft them?