College basketball is in the middle of a tough stretch due to the FBI’s investigation of corruption in the NCAA. March Madness is just several days away, but the top association of amateur basketball in the nation is still dealing with the scandal that has rocked it to its core.
With the changes in the NCAA there has been a big push by some to change the way the G League operates and maybe make it more of an option for players coming out of high school instead of going the route of the NCAA.
But according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, there is a league in Australia that is trying to get NBA hopefuls to play down there.
The Australian National Basketball Association has already had Terrance Ferguson forgo his year at yeah at Arizona to play down under.
He had an up and down year in the league but was still drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 21st overall pick in last years draft. The league is also looking to make it easier for teams to roster these type of players.
According to ESPN:
“As part of its new “Next Stars” program, the NBL will be adding an extra roster spot next season intended strictly for draft-eligible players such as Ferguson, the league told ESPN. Sources told ESPN those players will be paid 100,000 Australian dollars gross guaranteed (approximately $78,000 U.S.), funded directly by the league.”
They won't sign with the teams, they will actually deal directly and sign with the league which will make it easier for them to leave after one year to join the NBA.
The one big question still in the air is how exactly these players will be assigned a club as they are signing with the league and not a club.
The success that Ferguson had skipping college and still being drafted, might be enough to convince some other players to follow in his footsteps, which is exactly what the Australian League would like to see.
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