NBA draft has multiple players from the G League, Overtime Elite league, and now maybe more top international players will go to the Australian NBL instead of a U.S. College

ESPN key excerpts:

"Top international basketball prospect Alex Toohey has decommitted from the Gonzaga Bulldogs and will sign with the Sydney Kings as part of the Australian National Basketball League Next Stars program..."

"Toohey is the first Australian player to commit to the NBL Next Stars program since fellow NBA Global Academy alumnus Josh Giddey, who was the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NBA draft"

"The Next Stars program has gained steam in reeling in several highly touted international prospects currently projected to be drafted in 2024, including American guard A.J. Johnson (Illawarra), French big man Alex Sarr (Perth), Swedish wing Bobi Klintman (Cairns) and Lithuanian wing Mantas Rubstavicius (New Zealand)."

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/37906349/top-international-prospect-alex-toohey-spurns-gonzaga-nbl

2023 NBA draft results:

First Round:
#3 pick - G League
#4 pick - Overtime Elite
#5 pick - Overtime Elite

Because of NIL, better exposure and the college experience.

BC Calfan said:

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Because of NIL, better exposure and the college experience.

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Better exposure? The NBA now finds players in several countries across the globe, and they are going to miss on a guy playing in one of the "pro leagues" vs. playing at Kentucky?

I guess it just depends on the NIL amount in play because, unlike football, these hoop options have income. And for "one and done," are we talking a big amount relative to NBA salaries? Meaning, if taking your talent to a "pro" league is going to improve your game even marginally, and you move up a couple of slots in the draft, then does NIL really matter?

Right, college is its own reward. Again, we are talking about so few making the NBA, especially with expansion of basketball outside of the US borders....

BC Calfan said:

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Because of NIL, better exposure and the college experience.

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NIL options are not exclusive to college athletes although maybe the college connection is worth more than the "G" League. Also, I doubt many prospective pros would miss the college "experience" of classes. papers, exams, etc.

59bear said:

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BC Calfan said:

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Because of NIL, better exposure and the college experience.

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NIL options are not exclusive to college athletes although maybe the college connection is worth more than the "G" League. Also, I doubt many prospective pros would miss the college "experience" of classes. papers, exams, etc.

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And these are teenagers making the decision with every choice filled with inexperience and uncertainty. They have not been to college, they do not know if they would like it. They don't know who they might meet,.what difference it might make in their lives. They don't know which path will get them to the NBA, if any, or what life in overseas leagues is like. They don't know how much a degree would help if they do not make a pro league for any reason.

What is the value of a Gonzaga degree in the Australian job market?

calumnus said:

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59bear said:

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BC Calfan said:

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Because of NIL, better exposure and the college experience.

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NIL options are not exclusive to college athletes although maybe the college connection is worth more than the "G" League. Also, I doubt many prospective pros would miss the college "experience" of classes. papers, exams, etc.

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And these are teenagers making the decision with every choice filled with inexperience and uncertainty. They have not been to college, they do not know if they would like it. They don't know who they might meet,.what difference it might make in their lives. They don't know which path will get them to the NBA, if any, or what life in overseas leagues is like. They don't know how much a degree would help if they do not make a pro league for any reason.

What is the value of a Gonzaga degree in the Australian job market?

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https://www.thebennett.com.au/

I think NIL for the top players pay more than the G League by a significant amount

also, I've always argued that the branding that a top college player gets has more long term NIL value for the player, and is one of the top benefits of going to college over the alternatives

Although if the strategy is to keep a scholly in our pocket for some type of fall transfer I can see that a good player might become available

HoopDreams said:

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I think NIL for the top players pay more than the G League by a significant amount

also, I've always argued that the branding that a top college player gets has more long term NIL value for the player, and is one of the top benefits of going to college over the alternatives

Although if the strategy is to keep a scholly in our pocket for some type of fall transfer I can see that a good player might become available

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Of course a G Leaguer can also cash in on NIL in addition his salary but I'd agree, some players will build name recognition(and value) faster as a poster child for an NCAA power program. The instant pro option of whatever version is going to have big appeal for those who want to avoid the college detour. I have no opinion on which is more helpful in preparing for the NBA but it is interesting the number of high draft choices coming the Euro zone pro leagues these days.

59bear said:

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HoopDreams said:

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I think NIL for the top players pay more than the G League by a significant amount

also, I've always argued that the branding that a top college player gets has more long term NIL value for the player, and is one of the top benefits of going to college over the alternatives

Although if the strategy is to keep a scholly in our pocket for some type of fall transfer I can see that a good player might become available

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Of course a G Leaguer can also cash in on NIL in addition his salary but I'd agree, some players will build name recognition(and value) faster as a poster child for an NCAA power program. The instant pro option of whatever version is going to have big appeal for those who want to avoid the college detour. I have no opinion on which is more helpful in preparing for the NBA but it is interesting the number of high draft choices coming the Euro zone pro leagues these days.

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Does a one and done build "recognition," especially if they don't make the Final Four?

59bear said:

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mbBear said:

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59bear said:

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HoopDreams said:

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I think NIL for the top players pay more than the G League by a significant amount

also, I've always argued that the branding that a top college player gets has more long term NIL value for the player, and is one of the top benefits of going to college over the alternatives

Although if the strategy is to keep a scholly in our pocket for some type of fall transfer I can see that a good player might become available

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Of course a G Leaguer can also cash in on NIL in addition his salary but I'd agree, some players will build name recognition(and value) faster as a poster child for an NCAA power program. The instant pro option of whatever version is going to have big appeal for those who want to avoid the college detour. I have no opinion on which is more helpful in preparing for the NBA but it is interesting the number of high draft choices coming the Euro zone pro leagues these days.

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Does a one and done build "recognition," especially if they don't make the Final Four?

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Well, if they play for Duke, Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky et al, they are guaranteed to get a LOT of exposure on national TV. That has to be an advantage the G League can't match.

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I think the NBA lost their way in that regard. The NCAA used to be their farm system to a much greater degree. Moreover, colleges produced premade bankable, polished stars like: Bird vs Magic.

calumnus said:

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59bear said:

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mbBear said:

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59bear said:

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HoopDreams said:

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I think NIL for the top players pay more than the G League by a significant amount

also, I've always argued that the branding that a top college player gets has more long term NIL value for the player, and is one of the top benefits of going to college over the alternatives

Although if the strategy is to keep a scholly in our pocket for some type of fall transfer I can see that a good player might become available

---

Of course a G Leaguer can also cash in on NIL in addition his salary but I'd agree, some players will build name recognition(and value) faster as a poster child for an NCAA power program. The instant pro option of whatever version is going to have big appeal for those who want to avoid the college detour. I have no opinion on which is more helpful in preparing for the NBA but it is interesting the number of high draft choices coming the Euro zone pro leagues these days.

---

Does a one and done build "recognition," especially if they don't make the Final Four?

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Well, if they play for Duke, Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky et al, they are guaranteed to get a LOT of exposure on national TV. That has to be an advantage the G League can't match.

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I think the NBA lost their way in that regard. The NCAA used to be their farm system to a much greater degree. Moreover, colleges produced premade bankable, polished stars like: Bird vs Magic.

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I totally agree with you. But what was left for them to do to support college further? I think some of their response has been because they couldn't fight off International leagues, or private efforts.

59bear said:

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mbBear said:

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59bear said:

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HoopDreams said:

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I think NIL for the top players pay more than the G League by a significant amount

also, I've always argued that the branding that a top college player gets has more long term NIL value for the player, and is one of the top benefits of going to college over the alternatives

Although if the strategy is to keep a scholly in our pocket for some type of fall transfer I can see that a good player might become available

---

Of course a G Leaguer can also cash in on NIL in addition his salary but I'd agree, some players will build name recognition(and value) faster as a poster child for an NCAA power program. The instant pro option of whatever version is going to have big appeal for those who want to avoid the college detour. I have no opinion on which is more helpful in preparing for the NBA but it is interesting the number of high draft choices coming the Euro zone pro leagues these days.

---

Does a one and done build "recognition," especially if they don't make the Final Four?

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Well, if they play for Duke, Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky et al, they are guaranteed to get a LOT of exposure on national TV. That has to be an advantage the G League can't match.

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I don't think Tyrese Maxey or RJ Barrett are a "bigger deal" because they went to Kentucky or Duke respectively. I understand your point relative to the guys who have historically stayed for several years. IMO the one and dones college career is just so quick if you don't make a Final Four.

calumnus said:

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59bear said:

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mbBear said:

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59bear said:

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HoopDreams said:

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I think NIL for the top players pay more than the G League by a significant amount

also, I've always argued that the branding that a top college player gets has more long term NIL value for the player, and is one of the top benefits of going to college over the alternatives

Although if the strategy is to keep a scholly in our pocket for some type of fall transfer I can see that a good player might become available

---

Of course a G Leaguer can also cash in on NIL in addition his salary but I'd agree, some players will build name recognition(and value) faster as a poster child for an NCAA power program. The instant pro option of whatever version is going to have big appeal for those who want to avoid the college detour. I have no opinion on which is more helpful in preparing for the NBA but it is interesting the number of high draft choices coming the Euro zone pro leagues these days.

---

Does a one and done build "recognition," especially if they don't make the Final Four?

---

Well, if they play for Duke, Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky et al, they are guaranteed to get a LOT of exposure on national TV. That has to be an advantage the G League can't match.

---

I think the NBA lost their way in that regard. The NCAA used to be their farm system to a much greater degree. Moreover, colleges produced premade bankable, polished stars like: Bird vs Magic.

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While I agree with you your choice of examples both came out early...Bird was drafted after his soph year but played the next season at ISU, then signed with Boston, who had drafted him the previous year, before that years draft....