What is NBA G League? Will Jalen Green's unique move pave the way for other NBA hopefuls?

Many basketball players in USA opt to continue ir development in with a college team or make jump to big leagues right after high school. However, NBA hopeful Jalen Green is set to charter an unkwn path by opting to join an NBA G League side to continue his development.

NBA G League remains an important part of NBA but isn't as popular as premier basketball league in United States. With Jalen Green looking to make jump to G league, let us discuss what is NBA G League and how it remains an integral wing for NBA.

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What is NBA G League? NBA G League Teams

NBA G League is developmental league of NBA. Players who don't right away fit mould of an NBA franchise are sent to G League in order to aid ir development in a relatively lesser competitive environment. It was kwn as NBA Developmental League between 2001 and 2005 before being rebranded NBA D League. In 2017, NBA renamed developmental league to  NBA G League as it slowly branched out as a competitive league of its own.

league began with only eight franchises in 2001 but slowly grew to a total of 29 teams in 2020. Reportedly, re are discussions to d more franchises to NBA G League. Capitanes de Ciud de Mexico, based out of Mexico, will be joining league in 2022.

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What is NBA G League? NBA G League Teams and sister franchises of NBA teams

2019-20 G League season saw participation from 28 teams where all teams were affiliated to an NBA franchise. At present, Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers, are only franchises who do t have an affiliate team in G League. Earlier this year, Golden State Warriors' G League side Santa Cruz Warriird me helines after three-time NBA champion Steph Curry trained with team in a bid to regain his fitness.

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NBA G League Teams: NBA G League professional path

NBA G League has always been professional path for players hopeful of being signed by NBA. table players like Dallas Mavericks star JJ Barea, Houston Rockets star Robert Covington and Los Angeles Lakers' Quinn Cook me successful jump from G League to NBA. Barea is also a NBA champion with Mavericks.

While NBA teams still send  players down to developmental league,  NBA G League professional path for players skipping college was unheard until Jalen Green decided to opt for it. Having played for San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fres, Green will skip college basketball. But unlike taking a hiatus or heing to an overseas professional league, 18-year-old will sign a professional contract with a developmental league franchise.

Reports suggest he could earn a contract up to $500,000 from a G League side. Green has potentially opened a new pathway for NBA hopefuls and it'll be interesting to if or high school talents follow Jalen Green into NBA G League.

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