Filipino-American Jalen Green, the top-ranked high school player in the United States, has decided to skip college for the G League, NBA’s developmental circuit.
“The ultimate goal is to get to the NBA,” Green said in an entry on his Instagram page. “That being said, I’ve decided to partner with the NBA G League’s new team for elite players.”
The program, dubbed “Select Contract,” was established during the 2019-2020 season for athletes who are eligible to play in the developmental league but not yet for the NBA.
The 6-foot-6 guard traces his Filipino roots to Ilocos and had been in the country for a couple of times for exhibition matches. During both instances, Green squared up against 7-footer Kai Sotto, another NBA hopeful who is currently in the United States.
Reports have also indicated that Sotto, the former star of Ateneo high school, could follow Green’s move. —DENISON REY A. DALUPANG