Jalen Green didn’t take a traditional path to the NBA Draft. The 6-foot-5 guard was considering scholarships at Memphis and Auburn before ultimately opting to participate in the G League’s Ignite.
While the G League season was altered this year due to the pandemic, Green said he didn’t regret that decision despite not being able to play as much basketball as other top prospects who took the NCAA route.
“I’m watching a lot of college basketball, mostly the highlights to see how all the bros are doing,” Green said earlier in the season. “I call them up, they’re talking to me about it, I’m talking to them. It’s interesting just seeing how they’re playing, seeing how the development to college [is going] and stuff like that. But yeah, I’m itching to play.”
The California-native ended up playing in 15 games during the G League bubble, scoring 17.9 points in 32.0 minutes per game. He shot 36.5% from behind the arc and sported a 15.3 PER. Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report sees Green as the No. 2 overall prospect, though admits that the guard’s draft status will ultimately be determined by how the lottery shakes out (similar to Evan Mobley’s fate).
More NBA Draft Notes
- In the same piece, Wasserman writes that he views Josh Giddey (No. 10 on his list) as a bigger Ricky Rubio, noting his ability to run an offense and set up teammates. The 6-foot-8 guard has previously compared his own game to Ben Simmons. Giddey continues to play in Australia’s NBL.
- Amadou Sow of King James Gospel takes a look at how Arkansas wing Moses Moody would fit on the Cavaliers. Moody is a prototypical 3-and-D player who would be a nice complement to the Darius Garland-Collin Sexton pairing, though it’s worth noting that one of the Cavs’ offensive-first guards may be elsewhere next season.
- While the Rockets are reportedly alright with pairing Christian Wood with USC center Evan Mobley via the draft, it’s hard to envision that coming to fruition. Houston has too many needs and they don’t want to end up with a frontcourt-heavy roster, though this is all just my speculation.
- ICYMI: Franz Wagner declared for the draft and joked that if his brother (Moritz Wagner) “can play in the league, obviously they’ll take anyone.” The younger Wagner has a good chance to be a lottery pick.
