An exciting season has begun in NBA G Leaguesince all 30 teams, inclusive Ignite and Captains of Mexico Citythey will play a 50 game schedule.
The NBA G League Ignite, which has sent multiple lottery picks to the Draft over the past two years, will be led by Scott Hendersonwhich is displayed as one of the top two picks in the 2023 Draft. Along with Henderson, the G League and basketball fans will be watching London Johnson, who joined Ignite in October since he allegedly signed the highest salary for a player who has gone the G League route.
Nonetheless, the G League is much more than Ignite.
There are 29 other teams with talented players who are one step away from being called up to the NBA. Next, we will talk about some of the major players to watch out for this season, along with others who have been left out.
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Who are the best players in the NBA G League?
Honorable Mentions: Sharife Cooper (Canton Charge), Lindy Waters III (double contract, Oklahoma City Blue), Nate Darling (Ontario Clippers), Saben Lee (Raptors 905), Jamal Cain (double contract, Sioux Falls Skyforce), Carlik Jones (Windy City Bulls ) and Sandro Mamukelashvili (double contract, Wisconsin Herd).
5. Mason Jones, Captains of Mexico City
Completing us Top five there is Jones who was one of the G League’s top scorers last season for South Bay. The shooting guard, 24, was average 25.5 points on 50.7% field goals and 40.3% 3-pointers. Jones also produced 6.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists per match. The former Arkansas standout was the man the South Bays turned to every time they needed a basket last season, including a career-high game. 44 points collecting 17 rebounds against the Salt Lake City Stars.
If the 6-foot-6 shooting guard continues to show the same scoring prowess for a Mexico City team that has few NBA veterans on its roster, Soon we will see him have a double contract in the NBA again
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4. Luca Garza, Iowa Wolves
The former Iowa Hawkeyes player will begin this season in the G League as Dual contract player for the Minnesota Timberwolves after spending his rookie season with the Detroit Pistons and Motor City Cruise. In 32 games with Detroit, Garza averaged 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds.. He dominated the G League when he was sent down Motor City, averaging 20.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
Garza showed us that last season can put the ball on the ground despite its size and that it has an energy that cannot be taught.
3. Mac McClung, Delaware Blue Coats
From one award winner to another, McClung also swept the league last season and got his name G League Rookie of the Year. The former Texas Tech and Georgetown player averaged 21.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game for the South Bay Lakers.
He did a little bit of everything on a roster that featured another heavyweight scorer in Mason Jones. The 23-year-old’s outstanding level has seen him succeed some time with the Bulls and Lakers in the NBA Last season. McClung was acquired in the offseason by the Delaware blue coatwhere he hopes to improve on last season under veteran coach Kobe Karl.
2. Trevelin Queen, Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Last year’s G League MVP returns for another season, this time with the Fort Wayne Crazy Ants. The Indiana Pacers signed Queen to a double contract in October after he was released by the Philadelphia 76ers. The average 1.98m forward 25.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.3 steals per game in 2021-2022 with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
The queen was too Named to the All-NBA G League All-Defensive Team and All-NBA G League First Team. He was one of the main reasons the Vipers defeated the Delaware Blue Coats in the Finals. The 25-year-old is a goalscorer and can take over a game on his own. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him with the Pacers at some point this season.
1. Scott Henderson, NBA G League Ignite
With Dyson Daniels, Marjon Beauchamp and Jaden Hardy already in the NBA, it’s official the Henderson showsomething many analysts expect one of the first picks in the 2023 Draft.
The 6-foot-6 shooting guard gave fans a taste of what’s to come this season last month in an exhibition game against Metropolitan 92 and Victor Uebaniamawhich is predicted to be the first global election in 2023.
While all eyes were on Wembanyama, Henderson appeared with him 28 points (11-21 on field goals, 2-3 on 3-pointers), nine assists and five rebounds. Last season, the former ESPN Top 100 prospect averaged 14.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. If he can improve his shooting and continue to be a playmaker for others, he will easily be one of the best players in the G League and a cornerstone of an NBA franchise.
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent the NBA or its organizations.
