G League

If Jalen Green were to compile highlights from his G League Ignite season, he wouldn't likely use many clips from Wednesday's game against the Memphis Hustle.

Jonathan Kuminga just might. 

Kuminga finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists, assembling a strong second half before fouling out to help lead the Ignite to a 104-101 win in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Green added 10 points and two rebounds but made just four of his 15 shots in one of his least efficient efforts of the season. 

Neither Kuminga nor Green could find their rhythm early, as the Ignite trailed by 11 heading into halftime.

Things changed after the break, with Kuminga showing his energy on both ends, acting as an aggressive scorer and solid distributor. He fouled out with under two minutes remaining, leaving NBA veteran Jarrett Jack to take over the rest of the way.

Jack scored a game-high 22 points off the bench and hit a pair of free throws in the waning seconds to help seal the game for the Ignite. 

Prospects Daishen Nix (11 points, eight rebounds, three assists) and Isaiah Todd (10 points, four rebounds) were also in double figures.

Bennie Boatwright led Memphis with team-high 21 points and eight rebounds. Tyrell Terry added 19 points in the loss. 

The Salt Lake City Stars are up next for the Ignite on Friday.

The Ignite kicked off the 2021 G League season with a 109-104 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors.

Jonathan Kuminga turned heads in his professional debut with 19 points and two blocks as one of several top prospects for the 2021 NBA draft on the Ignite.

NBA veteran Jarrett Jack was also key for the otherwise young squad, leading all players with 23 points off the bench. He helped the Ignite jump out to a 15-point halftime lead before it held on for a hard-fought victory Wednesday at AdventHealth Arena.

Kuminga's defense was key in sealing the win thanks to this late block:

Jeremy Lin impressed in his return to American basketball after spending last year in China, finishing with 18 points and five assists for the Golden State affiliate.

It was the first game of the year for the G League, which will play its entire season in a bubble in Orlando, Florida, similar to the NBA's restart a year ago. 

Notable Performances

Jonathan Kuminga, SF, GLI: 19 points, 4 assists, 2 blocks

Jarrett Jack, PG, GLI: 23 points, 9-10 FG, 2 steals

Jalen Green, SG, GLI: 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists

Jeremy Lin, PG, SCW: 18 points, 5 assists, 3 steals

Jordan Poole, SF, SCW: 22 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals

Nico Mannion, PG, SCW: 17 points, 6 assists, 7 turnovers

Jonathan Kuminga Improves Stock in 1st Game for Ignite

The Ignite feature several veteran players who played in the NBA, like Jarrett Jack and Amir Johnson, as well as experienced G League players like Brandon Ashley. Jack was especially important to help the team in its first game.

However, his minutes will likely remain low as most eyes will be on the younger prospects.

The experimental team features two of the top-five prospects and four total players in the latest 2021 mock draft by Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman. While college prospects have had months to showcase their ability to scouts, these players are just getting started.

Jonathan Kuminga took advantage with several highlight plays on the way to 19 points on 9-of-18 shooting, adding four assists.

It was just one game, and the 1-of-7 three-point shooting wasn't great, but his stock is already up according to those watching along:

His passing, like this key dish to Jalen Green, was especially surprising to new viewers:

Green had a slower start to his professional career despite high expectations, finishing with 11 on 4-of-10 shooting.

He performed better in the second half, displaying his athleticism and shooting even though his first game left much to be desired.

Point guard prospect Daishen Nix turned heads with his size and playmaking:

Nix finished with 12 points and three assists in just 19 minutes off the bench, but he likely earned more playing time going forward.

For these players, the wins and losses aren't as important as showcasing their talent to scouts at the next level.

Jeremy Lin Shines in G League Audition for Warriors

Nine years after Linsanity, Jeremy Lin showed he still has plenty of basketball skill with a strong performance in his season debut.

The guard was efficient, knocking down shots while finding open teammates throughout the game:

In a game where players are trying to put up big numbers and flash their potential, Lin scored 18 on just nine shots and had a 5-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

The 32-year-old last appeared in the NBA in 2019, helping the Toronto Raptors win a title, but he could be back in the league before too long if he keeps up this level of play.

Other players on the team are hoping for chances with the Golden State Warriors, including 2019 first-round pick Jordan Poole.

The wing finished with a team-high 22 points, adding three steals with quality defense and some deep shots:

The downside came with his overaggressiveness as he was 7-of-22 from the field, including 2-of-9 from inside the arc.

Nico Mannion also struggled with his shot (6-of-18) and finished minus-17 on the court, although he took on a tough task guarding Green. The 2020 second-round pick has plenty of confidence but will need to show more in order to reach the next level.

What's Next?

The G League Ignite will return to action Friday against the Oklahoma City Blue. Santa Cruz will face the Delaware Blue Coats in its next game Friday.

The G League Ignite, a team comprised of NBA draft prospects highlighted by Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga, will make their season debut Feb. 10 against the Santa Cruz Warriors.

Jonathan Givony of ESPN reported that all 15 Ignite games will be broadcast on ESPN2, ESPNU or ESPN+. Their season debut will be against a Warriors team led by Jeremy Lin, who has returned stateside in an attempt to resume his NBA career. 

Lin had been playing for the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association. 

The league's 18 G League teams will be bubbled at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort for a four-week event that includes an aborted regular season and playoffs.

The NBA chose to bubble the G League this season because of COVID-19, rather than have them travel to in-market sites. Each participating team will pay between $400,000 and $500,000 to hold the event.

While the G League typically does not make many waves in the national headlines, the NBA is seeking to change that with the Ignite, a developmental team designed as an alternative to playing college basketball. 

The first iteration of the Ignite features six prospects and seven additional players with professional basketball experience, including NBA veterans Jarrett Jack, Amir Johnson and Bobby Brown. 

Green (ESPN's No. 3-ranked prospect) and Kuminga (No. 5) are the two biggest names, and the team also includes 5-star recruits Daishen Nix and Isaiah Todd. Kai Sotto, who immigrated from the Philippines to the United States to join Georgia's The Skill Factory in 2019, and NBA Academy India player Princepal Singh are the remaining two prospects.

Singh is the first NBA Academy India player to sign with a professional team.

The Greensboro Swarm selected Admiral Schofield with the top overall pick in the G-League draft, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. 

The 23-year-old Schofield, who played college basketball for the Tennessee Volunteers, was drafted in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers but was traded immediately to the Washington Wizards. 

Schofield appeared in 33 games for the Wizards last season, averaging three points per game. 

The remainder of Monday's results are below (the * symbol denotes a team that could not make the pick):

Round 1

• 2. Memphis (from Erie): Freddie Gillespie (Baylor)
• 3. Canton (from RGV): Antonio Blakeney (LSU)
• 4. Iowa (from Windy City via LAK): Allonzo Trier (Arizona)
• 5. Lakeland (from Westchester): Tahjere McCall (Tennessee State)
• 6. Canton (from South Bay): Anthony Lamb (Vermont)
• 7. Oklahoma City (from Iowa): Zavier Simpson (Michigan)
• 8. Lakeland (from Long Island): DJ Hogg (Texas A&M)
• 9. Westchester (from Oklahoma City via CTN): Justin Patton (Creighton)
• 10. RGV (from Agua Caliente via OKC, CTN, SCW): Armoni Brooks (Houston)
• 11. Raptors905: Kevon Harris (Stephen F. Austin)
• 12. RVG (from Delaware): Jarron Cumberland (Cincinnati)
• 13. Oklahoma City (from Stockton via GBO): Vincent Edwards (Purdue)
• 14. Austin: Jonathan Kasibabu (Fairfield)
• 15. Raptors905 (from Lakeland): Gary Payton II (Oregon State)
• 16. Memphis: Anthony Cowan Jr. (Maryland)
• 17. Iowa (from Canton via OKC): Dakarai Tucker (Utah)
• 18. *Salt Lake City
• 19. N/A

Round 2

• 1. Delaware (from RGV): Jemerrio Jones (New Mexico State)
• 2. Fort Wayne (from Windy City): Oshae Brissett (Syracuse)
• 3. *Westchester
• 4. *Iowa
• 5. *Long Island
• 6. *Agua Caliente (from OKC)
• 7. Fort Wayne: Quincy McKnight (Seton Hall)
• 8. *Agua Caliente
• 9. Santa Cruz: Selom Mawugbe (Azusa Pacific)
• 10. *Raptors905
• 11. *Memphis (from Capital City via ACC)
• 12. Austin (from Delaware): Anthony Mathis (Oregon)
• 13. *Erie (from Sioux Falls)
• 14. *Greensboro (from Texas)
• 15. Austin (from Stockton): Kaleb Johnson (Georgetown)
• 16. *Santa Cruz (from Austin)
• 17. *Memphis
• 18. Oklahoma City (from Canton): Rob Edwards (Arizona State)
• 19. *Salt Lake City

Round 3

• 1. *Greensboro
• 2. *Erie
• 3. *Westchester
• 4. Delaware (from South Bay via ACC): Braxton Key (Virginia)
• 5. *Iowa
• 6. *Long Island
• 7. *Oklahoma City
• 8. *Fort Wayne
• 9. *Canton (from Santa Cruz)
• 10. *Raptors905
• 11. *Delaware
• 12. *Lakeland
• 13. *Memphis
• 14. *Canton
• 15. *Raptors905 (from Salt Lake City)
• 16. N/A
• 17. N/A
• 18. N/A
• 19. N/A

Perhaps more notable than the players picked were the veterans that G-League teams bypassed on:

The G-League will host its 2021 season at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando in February. Like the NBA did last season, it will be a bubble environment amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventeen teams will participate, with eight teams advancing to a single-elimination postseason. 

The G League will follow the NBA's lead from last summer, playing its entire 2021 season in a bubble environment at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida, according to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

The season is scheduled to begin in February and the top eight teams in the standings will advance to a single-elimination playoff to determine a champion.

The G League suspended its 2019-20 season last March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and announced in June it would cancel the remainder of the year. The NBA was able to continue its season in a bubble, completing eight seeding games before a standard four-round playoff that ended with the Los Angeles Lakers crowned champions.

After initial quarantine periods, there were zero positive tests among NBA players or staff within the bubble, and no games were affected by COVID-19.

Charania previously reported the G League's plan to use the bubble environment this year, noting there would be a 12- to 15-game season beginning on Feb. 8.

The schedule will feature 18 teams that opted into playing, while 11 franchises chose not to send their G League affiliates.

The G League has been valuable in helping develop young talent for NBA rosters in recent years, although there are several notable veterans who will be involved in 2021, including Lance Stephenson, Jeremy Lin and Michael Beasley.

This season also represents the debut of Ignite, a team made up of top 2021 NBA draft prospects who opted to play professionally rather than compete in the NCAA, including Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Daishen Nix. International prospects such as Kai Sotto also help fill out the intriguing roster.

The South Bay Lakers, the G League affiliate of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, announced Friday they've opted out of the 2021 season at the Disney World complex in Orlando, Florida.

Here's a statement from the team:

"While we appreciate the G League's efforts in putting together this model to accommodate all member teams, we have determined this is the best course of action for the Lakers organization.

"We look forward to our eventual return to G League basketball. In the meantime, we will continue to assign opportunities to our staff as they become available."

G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim confirmed details of an 18-team season earlier Friday. Play is scheduled to start in February, with eight clubs advancing to a single-elimination postseason.

The former NBA All-Star forward said:

"We worked closely with our teams, the Basketball Players Union, and public health experts to develop a structure that allows our teams to gather at a single site and safely play. We are thrilled to get back to basketball and to fulfill our mission as a critical resource for the NBA in developing players, coaches, referees, athletic trainers and front-office staff."

NBA teams that don't have an affiliate in Orlando can still "assign roster players and transfer two-way players using the league's flexible assignment and two-way rules."

South Bay posted a 19-25 record before the remainder of its 2019-20 season was canceled in June because of the coronavirus pandemic. Coby Karl has served as the team's head coach since 2016. Its most notable player is Kostas Antetokounmpo.

The franchise reached the finals of the then-D-League twice but remains in search of its first title since being founded in 2006.

One month after being released by the Detroit Pistons, LiAngelo Ball is reportedly returning to the NBA G League.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Ball signed a contract to play in the G League bubble. 

The G League hasn't formally announced a plan for this season, but it's reportedly considering holding games in a single-location setting. 

Per ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the G League is looking at Atlanta as its host site for the 2021 season with a reduced schedule. 

McMenamin also noted that G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim "recently asked franchises to volunteer to forgo the season, hoping to settle on anywhere from 14 to 20 teams to complete the season."

The younger brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, LiAngelo has bounced around professional organizations dating back to 2017. He originally planned to play college basketball at UCLA but withdrew from school in December 2017 after being involved in a shoplifting incident in China where the Bruins were playing their season-opener against Georgia Tech. 

Ball signed with Prienai of the Lithuanian Basketball League shortly after leaving UCLA. He averaged 12.6 points per game and shot 41.5 percent from three-point range in 14 games.

In July 2018, Ball joined the Los Angeles Ballers in the Junior Basketball Association, a league founded by his father, LaVar. The 22-year-old was named JBA Finals MVP after scoring 58 points in the clinching game against the Seattle Ballers. 

Ball spent last season with the Oklahoma City Blue, the G League affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was primarily a practice squad player and didn't appear in a game before the season was canceled in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Pistons signed Ball to a non-guaranteed contract on Dec. 2 but released him 11 days later.

The NBA may be turning to Mickey Mouse once again as it looks to play basketball amid the COVID-19 pandemic, only this time for the G League.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the G League is "focused on" playing a 12-to-15 game 2021 season at the Walt Disney World Resort. The tentative plan is to start the season on Feb. 8 with teams arriving in their home markets on Jan. 19 and arriving at the bubble-like location on Jan. 26.

The playoffs would then run March 5-9.

Eighteen of the league's teams have opted into playing this season, including the Ignite, G League Elite team. However, 11 of the NBA's franchises have chosen not to play their G League affiliates this season.

Those teams are Atlanta (College Park Skyhawks), Boston (Maine Red Claws), Chicago (Windy City Bulls), Dallas (Texas Legends), Detroit (Grand Rapids Drive), Los Angeles Lakers (South Bay Lakers), Miami (Sioux Falls Skyforce), Milwaukee (Wisconsin Herd), Phoenix (Northern Arizona Suns), Sacramento (Stockton Kings) and Washington (Capital City Go-Go; will utilize Erie).

The biggest storyline of the G League season will be how the Ignite roster holds up against professional competition.

The roster will include a number of top 2021 draft prospects, including Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Green and Isaiah Todd. Rather than playing college basketball, they took the opportunity to play at a professional level and make a salary before they are eligible to make the jump to the sport's highest level.

This decision comes on the heels of the NBA finishing its 2019-20 campaign inside the Walt Disney World Resort.

It was one of the few success stories in a sports year filled with so much uncertainty, as there were zero positive COVID-19 cases throughout the entire time the league was inside the bubble. That stands in stark contrast to the issues other leagues faced while trying to play seasons inside home markets.

That is what the NBA is attempting to do in 2020-21, and it already had to postpone a game between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The NBA's Walt Disney World Resort bubble may not be the last high-profile bubble in the basketball world this year.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the NBA G League is "seriously discussing" a tournament in November or December and hosting it inside a bubble-like environment. The biggest draw of the tournament would be the inclusion of the elite Ignite team, which features talented youngsters such as Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga.

Earlier this month, the G League announced its team of top-notch prospects who will play at this level instead of collegiately during the 2020-21 season would be called NBA G League Ignite.

The focus of the team, which will include Daishen Nix, Kai Sotto and Isaiah Todd as well, is to prepare some of the country's best young players for the level of competition they will eventually face in the NBA all while giving them the opportunity to make money playing basketball.

"We are thrilled to officially announce NBA G League Ignite as the name of our new team for elite prospects and we think it's a fitting moniker for a group comprised of young players taking the first step of their promising professional careers," NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim said. "These players have a passion for the game and a desire to develop their skills for the next level and it brings us a lot of pride for them to blaze trails as inaugural members of NBA G League Ignite."

Brian Shaw, who played for the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers from 1988 through 2003, will coach the team.

Shaw was previously an assistant coach for the Lakers and a head coach for the Denver Nuggets in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

This potential tournament could be a national introduction for these top prospects and give them an opportunity to prove their skill sets against elevated competition before the 2021 NBA draft.

In June, the G League elected to cancel the remainder of its 2019-20 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It had not been in action since March.

G Leaguers have officially formed a union after receiving assistance from the National Basketball Players Association. 

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, approximately 80 percent of players in the G League signed union authorizations "well above the 50-plus percent necessary for voluntary recognition."

Anthony Tolliver, secretary treasurer of the NBPA's Executive Committee, issued an official statement about the voting result: 

"We are extremely pleased that our brothers in the G League elected to form their own union. The many NBA players with prior experience in the G League can personally attest to the value an organized union brings to players' careers. We would like to especially thank Andre Ingram and John Holland who gave so much of their personal time to the organizing process."

Per the NBPA's official statement, players will receive "the benefit of the many protections afforded to union-represented employees and the right to collectively bargain on a variety of matters, including, but not limited to, salaries, benefits and other working conditions."

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported in April that the G League received assistance from the NBPA and that players would start the voting process to form a union. 

Wojnarowski noted the G League's union will operate independently of the NBPA and have its "own constitution, bylaws and leadership structure."

The G League was founded in 2001—when it was known as the National Basketball Development League—and consisted of eight teams.

It has since expanded to 28 teams, with the Mexico City Captains set to join the league next season.