The NBA is pulling the plug on its experimental G League Ignite team after the 2023-24 season, marking the end of a four-year program that aimed to reimagine pro basketball’s pipeline. Launched in 2020 as an alternative to college hoops, Ignite let elite prospects earn salaries while showcasing skills alongside NBA veterans. But critics say it prioritized ⭐️ individual brilliance over team dynamics.
Think of Ignite as basketball’s version of a TikTok highlight factory: Players like Jalen Green (2021’s No. 2 draft pick) and Scoot Henderson (2023’s No. 3) wowed scouts with flashy stats, but teamwork often took a backseat. 'It’s like assembling Avengers who never learn to fight together,' joked one analyst.
While Ignite produced 4 top-14 draft picks since 2021, insiders say the program struggled to prep players for the NBA’s collaborative playstyle. 'In college, you learn to win. Here, it was about posting numbers,' said a former scout. With NIL deals now letting NCAA athletes earn cash, the G League’s bold experiment is bowing out. 💼🏆
