HENDERSON, Nev. — For nearly two decades, the typical path for many top prospects coming out of high school was the one-and-done route. 

For the NCAA,  this meant being able to profit off the potential future stars of the game for a full season, and continue to have record-breaking viewership in March as the nation tuned in to watch premier names such as Zion Williamson, Chet Holmgren, Lonzo Ball, and many other great college basketball stars of the past. 

But since the debut of the NBA G league Ignite in 2020, and the introduction of the NIL in 2020, the landscape has completely changed.  

In 2020 we saw top prospects, Jalen Green, and Jonathan Kuminga, choose Ignite over having a collegiate career. Months later, both were selected in the top 10 of the 2021 NBA draft. In 2022, Ignite star Dyson Daniels also went top 10, followed by Scoot Henderson going third overall in 2023. 

The momentum isn’t slowing down for the Ignite either. This upcoming season the roster will feature projected number-one overall pick Matas Buzelis, and the second-ranked overall prospect in the class of 2023, Ron Holland. Both elected to skip college, despite having countless offers from numerous Division I institutions. 

So what does this mean for the NCAA? 

Are NIL incentives lucrative enough to convince top prospects to take the college route instead of pursuing a professional career early? 

The short answer is no. 

Professional leagues overseas continue to grow and become more competitive, along with the evolution of the NBA G-League. For projected Lottery picks, going to school doesn’t make much sense anymore.

Players can still get endorsement money playing in the G league or overseas. Along with guaranteed money from their respective clubs. Something the NCAA doesn’t offer.

With no apparent effect on a player’s draft stock, better compensation, and playing with better talent, The NBA G league Ignite may be the premier destination for many future stars of the game.