The No. 1 prospect heading into the 2021 NBA Draft, Jalen Green, has informed his college suitors that he plans to enter the NBA/G League professional pathway program, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony. Green announced his decision on Thursday afternoon.
A Fresno, California native, Green won gold medals with USA Basketball at the FIBA U-17 and U-19 World Championships in 2018 and 2019.
The 6-foot-5, 180-pound shooting guard out of Prolific Prep has received offers from schools like Auburn, Memphis, Oregon, Florida State, USC, and Fresno State University. He's largely expected to a front-runner for the top overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft.
Green earned a 97 rating along with two others in ESPN's latest rankings, topping fellow Californian Evan Mobley; a 7-footer who's signed with USC, and Texas point guard Cade Cunningham, who will play for Oklahoma State.
The All-American was the biggest question atop the signings board and now that he's chosen to start his path through the G League, it will allow him to get a full immersion to basketball and the pro lifestyle before he declares for the NBA.
The G League professional pathway launched in October 2018 as a program that paid $125,000 to prospects as an alternative to college basketball. Green will be joining an enhanced version of that program, with elite prospects making $500,000-plus, per Givony. He will be headlining a new team in Los Angeles and prepare for the NBA Draft, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Green is a scoring and playmaking guard who has yet to fill out his frame or begun to scratch his potential. A G League opportunity should help him gain ample growth in many areas before transitioning into NBA life.
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