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UPDATE: 1:10 p.m. — Green has officially made the announcement and Shams Charania of The Athletic has some more interesting details behind this decision. Shams also mentions the NBA is planning on putting a G League team in L.A. centered around Green and other high profile prospects.
Jalen Green’s NBA G League deal is expected to be in range of $500,000 and an ability to reach more with endorsements, appearances and education, sources told @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. https://t.co/T3DDuw8OkR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 16, 2020
Another top prospect is expected to join Green in Los Angeles for the prospect super team.
Five-star prospect Isaiah Todd, who decommitted from Michigan, is expected to sign an NBA G League deal and join the new Southern California team featuring Jalen Green, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 16, 2020
Jalen Green, the No. 1 ranked prospect for the 2020 high school class on ESPN, has decided to enter the NBA G League pathway program rather than go to college, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported Thursday.
Ahead of a 1pm eastern formal announcement, Jalen Green has started to inform college suitors that he plans to enter the NBA/G League's professional pathway program, sources tell ESPN. He is ESPN's #1 prospect in the 2020 high school class.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 16, 2020
An announcement is expected soon, so we should get more details on Green’s decision, which is rare for prospects, particularly those of Green’s caliber. The NBA G League started offering the program in October 2018, giving young players an alternative to the college basketball scene. Green will get paid $125,000 in his G League season before entering the 2021 NBA Draft pool.
Auburn, Memphis, Florida State and USC were among the colleges recruiting Green for the 2020 season. He is the early leader to go No. 1 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. It’s an interesting decision by Green, though an admirable one. This comes with risk, but it also sends a message to the NCAA. Green is talented enough that he shouldn’t have to worry about his future so long as he performs and is healthy in his lone G League season. It also gears some attention toward the G League, which is trying to attract players like Green to boost the competitive lure of the league.