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[cryptoadam]

G League to offer $125K to elite prospects as alternative to college 1-and-done route

As part of a newly formed "professional path" starting in the summer of 2019, the G League will offer "Select Contracts" worth $125,000 to elite prospects who are at least 18 years old but not yet eligible for the NBA draft. It will target recent or would-be high school graduates who otherwise would have likely spent just one season playing college basketball, enticing them not only with a six-figure salary but also the opportunity to benefit from NBA infrastructure, as well as a bevy of off-court development programs "geared towards facilitating and accelerating their transition to the pro game," Turner said.

Without the restrictions of the NCAA's amateurism rules, players will also be free to hire agents, profit off their likeness and pursue marketing deals from sneaker companies and the like, which could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in endorsement opportunities to top prospects.

This is huge. NCAA is screwed. You get 125K, can sign endorsment deals, and essentially a direct path to the NBA since you are playing in the NBA's minor league. I don't see how top players are not going to take advantage of this. Everyone knows "student athlete" for the elite guys is a joke. They aren't there for the education, its a stepping stone to the NBA. This basically takes away any reason to go to the NCAA.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

Yeah, pretty huge blow to the NCAA. Universities continue facing assault from all sides.

You take away their sports and you take away a lot of associated $$$.

 

[highrider]

Fuck the university. Players should have always had this option.

 

[TheSadRanger]

I'm not gonna lie but it still might be better for a players career still to take the NCAA option.

1. You get more notoriety playing in the NCAA than G-league. More people watch NCAA games and it's easier to make a name for yourself.
2. Once someone gets put into the G-League they often times get stuck there. It can be very difficult for even top G-League players to get out.
3. Competition is easier, G-League is filled with a lot of top college players who were drafted that lose a rotation spot and can't find anyplace else. It's still arguably easier to shine in the NCAA than in the G-League. Your also dealing with fully grown men, athletes in the G-League versus athletes of a similar age in the NCAA for the most part.

 

[bigedole]

This is a great option and I'm glad the NBA is at least making an effort to address the NCAA problem.

 

[Pumpkin Seeds]

There are trade-offs, as TheSadRanger mentioned.

You also get to be big man on campus in college and there is a lot more meaning in winning the NCAA tourny than winning the G-League championship.

So while you earn 125k upfront, you may lose draft position which will cost you millions.

 

[Azzurri]

Rather go to college one year and be the king of that campus.

 

[EverydayBeast]

Europe starts players A LOT earlier in pro leagues, still a ways to go.

 

[Nobody_Important]

I am all for kids getting paid of they want, but to me it makes more sense for them to just spend a year in college even though the NCAA is shit. They get more national exposure, they play against players their own age, and they can play for better coaches.


At 125k they would be making WAY more than the average player in the G league. That could make them a target as well.


Can't wait until the one and done rule is gone.