NBA_G_League_Ignite

NBA G League Ignite

NBA G League Ignite

Basketball team in Henderson, Nevada

The NBA G League Ignite was a developmental basketball team in the NBA G League. Originally based in Walnut Creek, California with home games planned to have been played at the Ultimate Fieldhouse for their first two seasons, before moving to Henderson, Nevada for their final two seasons of existence, the team was designed to play exhibition games outside the G League's traditional scheduling as part of a one-year development program for elite National Basketball Association (NBA) prospects. Unlike other NBA G League rosters, its roster was primarily made up of both talented young prospects and veteran players meant to guide the younger prospects. The NBA G League Ignite was created on April 16, 2020, and was touted as an alternative to college basketball at the time, offering the young prospects salaries of up to $500,000 for time spent with them at a time when an average G League contract would be of lesser value by comparison.

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History

The NBA G League has been an avenue for high school, college and international prospects to be drafted into the NBA since 2008 back when the league was named the NBA Development League (NBA D-League).[3] On October 18, 2018, the G League introduced Select Contracts of $125,000 for elite prospects, including opportunities for basketball development, life skills, mentorship, and academic scholarships starting from the 2019–20 season.[4] However, no players in the 2019 high school class signed a Select Contract.[5]

On April 16, 2020, the G League announced a raised salary for elite prospects and a one-year development program outside of its traditional team structure.[6] The prospects would play alongside veteran players on a select team that would take part in training and 10 to 12 exhibition games against other G League teams, foreign national teams, and NBA academies.[6][7][8] Under this select team that later became the NBA G League Ignite, younger players would have earned financial incentives for playing games, participating in community events, and attending life skills programs coordinated by the G League. They would also receive a full scholarship to Arizona State University, which was partnered with the NBA during that period of time.[9]

On the same day that the G League's new development program was announced, Jalen Green, the highest ranked player in the 2020 high school class according to ESPN, became the first player to join the NBA G League Ignite, earning $500,000.[6][10] The G League subsequently drew attention as an alternative to college basketball, with some media outlets speculating that Green's decision would threaten the National Collegiate Athletic Association.[11][12][13] Green was soon joined on the team by fellow five-star recruits Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix, both former college commits, as well as Kai Sotto of the Philippines.[14] On June 9, 2020, former NBA player and coach Brian Shaw was named head coach of the Ignite.[15] On July 16, Jonathan Kuminga, the highest ranked player in the 2021 high school class, reclassified to the 2020 class and signed with the Ignite.[16][17] The name of the team, previously referred to as the G League Select Team, was announced as the NBA G League Ignite on September 2.[18] On November 12, the Ignite signed veteran players Brandon Ashley, Bobby Brown, Cody Demps, Reggie Hearn, and Amir Johnson to play alongside and mentor the team's prospects.[19] On January 14, 2021, the Ignite signed Donta Hall and Jarrett Jack.[20]

The Ignite joined the 2020–21 season playing a full 15-game schedule in the single-site bubble tournament in Orlando, Florida, with 11 teams opting not to participate.[21][22] In their first season, they put up an 8-7 record and entered the G League Playoffs in their first season, but they lost in the quarterfinal round to the Raptors 905.

In the Ignite's second season, they were only allowed to play in the Winter Showcase, an early-season tournament that allowed them and the Capitanes de Ciudad de México an opportunity to compete with other G League teams due to the reeling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This season was primarily led by new prospects Dyson Daniels from Australia, former Yakima Valley College student MarJon Beauchamp, and 5-star recruit Jaden Hardy. In the 12 games they were allowed to play in, the Ignite held a 6-6 record, which gave them a 4th place finish in the West Division but did not give them qualifications to compete any further in the Winter Showcase.

For their third season, the NBA G League Ignite moved from Walnut Creek, California to the Las Vegas Valley to play their home games at Lee's Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada going forward.[23]

Commissioner Adam Silver indicated in a press conference on February 17, 2024 that the NBA would reassess the future of the Ignite. Silver noted that the implementation of name, image, and likeness rights in college basketball had diminished the need for an official feeder program.[24][25] In addition to collegiate and even high school student athlete compensation being fully adopted by the early 2020s, the increasing growth of the competitive Overtime Elite youth basketball league being an alternative to not just the Ignite, but also collegiate and even professional basketball for younger prospects also became a factor in reassessing the Ignite's future in the NBA G League.[26] On March 21, 2024, it was announced that the NBA would be shutting down the franchise after the end of the 2023–24 NBA G League season.[27] Their final game as a franchise came on March 28, 2024, losing 113-102 to the Ontario Clippers. They lost 32 games in their 34-game season to set a mark for most losses in the history of the G League for one season to go with the lowest winning percentage ever, while their two wins tied the Iowa Wolves of the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 NBA G League season for the least wins ever in a season.

Season by season

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Final roster

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Drafted players

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References

  1. [1]
    "Ignite Unveils Electric New Brand Identity". Ignite.GLeague.com (Press release). NBA Media Ventures, LLC. April 21, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2022. The updated color palette features Ignite Purple, an electric shade fit for the ethos of the team, while maintaining the legacy of the NBA G League's black and white colors.
  2. [2]
    "Jason Hart Named Head Coach of NBA G League Ignite". GLeague.NBA.com (Press release). NBA Media Ventures, LLC. August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  3. [3]
    "NBA G League 101: Path to the NBA Draft". NBA G League. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  4. [4]
    "NBA G League Introduces Professional Path For Elite Basketball Prospects". NBA G League. October 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  5. [5]
    Glier, Ray (October 29, 2019). "High School Stars Have Rejected G League's Select Contract". Forbes. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  6. [6]
    Givony, Jonathan; Wojnarowski, Adrian (April 16, 2020). "Top high school player Jalen Green enters NBA/G League pathway". ESPN. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  7. [7]
    Haynes, Chris (April 16, 2020). "Why the nation's top prep player is opting for the G League". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  8. [8]
    Pickman, Ben (April 16, 2020). "Report: NBA G League to Launch LA-Based G League Team Headlined by Jalen Green". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  9. [9]
    Young, Jabari (April 17, 2020). "A top high school basketball player could net up to $1 million by skipping college and playing for the NBA's G League". CNBC. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  10. [10]
    O'Donnell, Ricky (April 16, 2020). "Jalen Green is the perfect G League prospect to take down the NCAA". SB Nation. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  11. [11]
    Moore, Terence (April 17, 2020). "Jalen Green Picking G League Over NCAA Could Start Trend That Sees College Hoops Facing Shaky Future". Forbes. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  12. [12]
    McCann, Michael (April 16, 2020). "Jalen Green's Decision to Join G League Shows NBA, NCAA Are Now Competitors". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  13. [13]
    Borzello, Jeff (April 16, 2020). "Answering the big college basketball questions after Jalen Green's decision". ESPN. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  14. [14]
    "Top International Prospect Kai Sotto Signs With NBA G League". NBA G League. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  15. [15]
    Schlosser, Keith (June 9, 2020). "5x NBA Champion Brian Shaw Takes On Challenge As Head Coach of New G League Team". NBA G League. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  16. [16]
    "Five-Star Recruit Jonathan Kuminga Signs With NBA G League". NBA G League. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  17. [17]
    Boone, Kyle (July 15, 2020). "College basketball recruiting: No. 1 overall 2021 prospect Jonathan Kuminga spurns college for G League". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  18. [18]
    "NBA G League Announces Ignite As Name For Team Of Elite Prospects". NBA G League. September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  19. [19]
    "NBA Veterans Join NBA G League Ignite To Play Alongside Elite Prospects". NBA G League. November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  20. [20]
    "NBA Veterans Donta Hall, Jarrett Jack Join Ignite". NBA G League. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  21. [21]
    "Ignite Team Featuring Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga Among 18 Teams Expected To Participate In G League Bubble". Forbes. December 24, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  22. [22]
    "NBA G League to begin 2020-21 season in February at Disney World bubble, per report". CBS Sports. December 29, 2020.
  23. [23]
    Wright, Imanni (2022-07-19). "NBA G League Ignite set to move to Las Vegas area". WDIV. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  24. [24]
    Bontemps, Tim (2024-02-18). "Silver says NBA to reassess Ignite in wake of NIL". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  25. [25]
    Helin, Kurt (2024-02-18). "Due to college NIL, Adam Silver says days of G-League Ignite may be numbered". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  26. [26]
    https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nba-g-league-ignite-team-shutting-down-explaned
  27. [27]
    Charania, Shams (2024-03-21). "G League Ignite to shut down after season". The Athletic. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
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