While many top high school basketball talents are headed to the college level next season, an increasing number are exploring options in newly-formed professional paths. At least eight players have already announced their intention to go pro.
We are tracking the announcements and the list below will be updated in the coming weeks and months.
The NBA G League Ignite program is designed to support elite prospects who do not want to pursue college options and would prefer to enter the professional ranks directly out of high school. Top recruits Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Daishen Nix and Isaiah Todd were among the top players from the Class of 2020 to commit to the program in its first year.
The Overtime Elite league also developed as an option this spring. Players are
guaranteed a minimum of at least $100,000 per year, plus bonuses and
shares of equity in Overtime. It also maintains players will participate
in revenue from use of their name, image and likeness, including
through sales of custom jerseys, trading cards, video games and NFTs.
Nevada star Jaden Hardy is one of four high school players that have announced plans to head to the NBA G League next season.
Photo by Darin Sicurello
High school basketball stars bypassing college or remaining high school eligibility to turn pro.
Class: 2022
247Sports ranking: No. 82
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: Led the Huskies with 25 points per contest last season before a breakout summer that put the 6-foot-9 forward on the map.
Class: 2023
247Sports ranking: No. 2
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: MaxPreps Sophomore All-American selection averaged 17 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks per game in 2020-21. The 6-foot-9 forward opted to forgo his final two years of high school basketball to sign a two-year deal.
High school: West Oaks Academy
Class: 2023
247Sports ranking: No. 16
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: Averaged 10 points, 10.3 rebounds and two blocks per contest to earn MaxPreps Sophomore All-American honorable mention honors. Will play alongside his brother on a two-year deal.
Class: 2023
247Sports ranking: Not Ranked
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: The 6-8 forward had a breakout summer, displaying a strong frame along with an impressive mid-range game.
Class: 2022
247Sports ranking: Not Ranked
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: Named Newton County Player of the Year after averaging 14.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest as a junior.
Class: 2022
247Sports ranking: Not Ranked
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: Three-star guard will play in the Overtime Elite league after spending his last three seasons at Shadow Mountain (Phoenix), Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix) and Eduprize, respectively.
Michael Foster Jr.Class: 2021
247Sports ranking: No. 19
Headed to: NBA G League
Resume: McDonald's All-American averaged 32.2 points and 18.4 rebounds per contest as a senior.
Class: 2022
247Sports ranking: No. 8
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: Averaged 23.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 2.5 assists per contest as a junior to help the Raiders to a 13-6 record.
Class: 2022
247Sports ranking: No. 43
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: MaxPreps Junior All-American honorable mention selection averaged 22.6 points, 5.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds to help the
Hurricanes finish 17-3.
Class: 2021
247Sports ranking: No. 3
Headed to: NBA G League
Resume: Lethal scoring prospect averaged 30.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game as a junior before having his senior year wiped out by the pandemic.
Class: 2022
247Sports ranking: No. 9
Headed to: NBA G League
Resume: First team MaxPreps Junior All-American selection averaged 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists per contest last season.
Class: 2023
247Sports Ranking: No. 95
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: The 7-0, 300-pound center has a strong social media presence with over 420,000 Instagram followers. Jackson had a strong summer on the Nike EYBL circuit.
Class: 2023
247Sports ranking: No. 12
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: Five-star center earned All-Bay Area honors for the second straight season after averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per contest as a sophomore.
Class: 2022
247Sports ranking: No. 70
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: Versatile wing averaged 13.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and two assists per outing for the Seminoles last season.
Class: 2022
247Sports ranking: No. 190
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: Explosive forward averaged 27 points and 15 rebounds per contest for the Holy Rams last year as a junior.
Class: 2023
247Sports Ranking: No. 15
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: Third team MaxPreps All-American selection averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 82 percent from the free throw line.
Class: 2022
247Sports ranking: No. 31
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: Four-star guard averaged 20.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.0 steals per contest to guide the Panthers to the Class 4A state title.
High school: Pine Crest
Class: 2022
247Sports ranking: No. 30
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: Alongside his brother, Amen, Ausar averaged 22.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.7 steals per outing to help the Panthers capture the Class 4A state title.
Class: 2023
247Sports ranking: No. 17
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: Became the first sophomore to be named Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year after averaging 24.1 points, 3.7 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals to lead the Tigers to the Class 6A state title game.
Class: 2021
247Sports ranking: No. 184
Headed to: Overtime Elite
Resume: Previous DePaul commit signed with the Overtime Elite League on Aug. 31.
Class: 2021
247Sports ranking: No. 75
Headed to: NBA G League
Resume: As a sophomore, the 6-9 forward averaged 15.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in 2019-20.
