The G League, which serves as a developmental minor league for the NBA, announced on Thursday that it was starting an initiative to provide a paid option for elite prospects who wanted to skip college and begin playing professional basketball immediately.
Beginning next summer, the plan is for G League teams to be able to offer “select contracts” worth $125,000 to players who are at least 18 years old, but who would not yet be eligible for the NBA Draft.
NCAA Welcomes Alternative to One-And-Done
In order to have eligibility in the NBA draft, American players who played in high school most be at least one year removed from their high school class graduation. That doesn’t mean players must play a year of college basketball, but that’s usually the best option for most elite prospects who expect to eventually go pro.
That has led to the rise of the so-called “one-and-done” prospect, a name given to players who only plan to attend college for one year before declaring themselves eligible for the draft. The G League hopes that their contracts could provide a reasonable alternative for young players who don’t have any real interest in the college experience.
The move comes in response to recommendations by the Commission on College Basketball, which was formed by the NCAA following investigations into fraud in the sport. One of the commission’s key recommendations was the end of the one-and-done concept.
“Elite high school players with NBA prospects and no interest in a college degree should not be forced to attend college, often for less than a year,” commission chair Condoleezza Rice told the Associated Press back in April.
NCAA President Mark Emmert agreed with that sentiment, releasing a statement saying that his organization appreciated the NBA initiative.
“Obtaining a college education continues to provide unmatched preparation for success in life for the majority of student-athletes and remains an excellent path to professional sports for many,” Emmert said in his statement. “However, this change provides another option for those who would prefer not to attend college but want to directly pursue professional basketball.”
Skeptics Say Money Doesn’t Beat College Experience
But many people involved in professional and amateur basketball expressed skepticism about the G League contracts.
I have doubts about how many top players will go this route. Some, yes. But G-League is full of early connecting flights, long bus rides, small gyms. It isn't glamorous. Big-time NCAA ball still has the trappings of exposure, packed houses, private jets. You'll get paid there too
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 18, 2018
“The college life experience and the academic component will last you a lifetime,” Eric Musselman, who currently serves as the head coach at Nevada and has also coached at the NBA and G League levels, told The Athletic. “The G League is both a grind physically and mentally, therefore I think it is in the best interest of the player to get the college experience.”
Gonzaga coach Mark Few agreed, also pointing out that in many ways, the high level college experience is much more glamorous than playing in the G League.
“$125,000 sounds like a lot right now, but…you have full-time access to training, massage, nutrition, everything,” Few told The Athletic. “Everything that’s provided. And how about our travel?” You can get on some buses. Good luck with three stops on Southwest.”
The concept was also criticized by several WNBA players, who pointed out that these contracts were worth more than the maximum veteran’s salary in their league, which stands at $115,500.
But lowkey the real question here is: with this being more than the WNBA max salary, would women be allowed to hoop in the GLeague? because I think some of us could hang. Asking for a friend. ??? ? https://t.co/tTLYEg7UzL
— Chiney Ogwumike (@Chiney321) October 18, 2018
