A day after top high school recruit Jalen Green announced that he would be playing in the G League in 2020/21, another top prep prospect, Isaiah Todd, has officially followed suit, per a press release. Shams Charania of The Athletic, who first reported Todd’s decision, spoke to the young power forward about the move from high school to the G League.
“I believe it was the best thing for my game and for my career to better myself for the NBA,” Todd told The Athletic. “It was very important to be prepared because the NBA is my lifelong dream. This option is the best way to go, being in the NBA’s backyard and to learn from pros and learn from NBA coaches and trainers. It’s about being prepared for the NBA. I think that’s the best way to go.”
Todd is listed as the No. 13 prospect in ESPN’s list of 2020 recruits. He previously appeared to be on track to play college ball for the Wolverines before decommitting from Michigan earlier this week.
Todd’s decision to go the G League route comes as the NBAGL has revamped its professional developmental program for top high school prospects, increasing the amount of money those players can earn and introducing a new franchise based in Southern California that will play a series of exhibition games outside of the league’s usual structure.
The new G League team – which won’t be affiliated with any specific NBA franchise – will be made up of top prospects like Green and Todd, along with a handful of veteran players.
Todd told Charania that he and Green are “both excited to get to work,” adding that he believes they could be the first of many high school prospects who take this path.
“I think this will be trendsetting and we changed the game as far as new options and new ways for players who want to be in the NBA and reach their dreams,” Todd said. “… Players can look at us and use this as an alternative route if the opportunity presents (itself). Even motivation for them. It all depends on who you are. It all varies based on the player.”
It has to be hands down a much better way to get NBA ready than gonna college, hopefully many more kids will choose this way from now on, real excited to se how it works exactly!
Together with international options it gives the kids more & more ways to get better equipped for the NBA than the college route can ever offer these kids!
Could this mark the end of college basketball as minor league professional sports?