Watch the elite 7-footer in action last season.
The NBA G League program has gained momentum in the past year with elite
Class of 2020 prospects
Jalen Green,
Isaiah Todd, and
Daishen Nix
announcing plans to bypass college.
As the NBA G League pathway becomes a more viable option the question turns to "Who's next?"
According to a report by Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog, a handful of players from the Class of 2021 would benefit from the G League path.
"I think that Chet (Holmgren), Jalen (Suggs) and every kid in their position has to consider going pro," director of the Grassroots Sizzle basketball program Brian Sandifer said in a phone interview with Zagoria. "That has to be an option for them. And thank God they have that option because of the uncertainty of when campuses are going to open up."
Here are four Class of 2021 prospects who best path might be taking the G League route.
The 7-footer has the skills and potential to play at the next level and beyond. He owns a sweet jump shot, elite shot-blocking instincts and excellent ball-handling skills for a big man. The G League also offers the opportunity to bulk up his sub-200 pound frame in order to keep progressing to the next level.
The MaxPreps National Junior of the Year posted
22.7 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks per game. The 6-9
forward has a strong frame, elite rebounding abilities and a knack for
finding open teammates out of the post. He needs to further develop his outside game.
Jaden Hardy | Coronado (Henderson, Nev.)A first-team MaxPreps Junior All-American selection last season,
he averaged 30.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.4 assists per contest. The
6-4 combo-guard is a versatile playmaker with impressive athleticism and
strength at the guard. He's shown the ability to score at an
extremely high level, producing 62 points in a game last season.
Another first-team MaxPreps Junior All-American pick last season, he notched 24.2 points, 11 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. The 6-9 wing displays an elite shooting ability from range, a high basketball IQ and good size for his position at the next level.
Jaden Hardy, Coronado
Photo by: Darin Sicurello