FILE – Jalen Green. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Several NBA stars commended Jalen Green for taking the unconventional path with his decision to enter the NBA G League last Friday.
Memphis Grizzlies’ fast-rising rookie Ja Morant and Utah Jazz teammates Donovan Mitchell and Jordan Clarkson were among those who praised Green, the top US high school prospect for 2020, for skipping college and becoming a professional straight out of high school.
“Game changer!” Clarkson, the Fil-American guard, said in reply to Mitchell’s comments on Twitter about Green’s bold move.
https://twitter.com/JordanClarksons/status/1250858319910060032?s=20
Like Clarkson, Green’s mother is also of Filipino descent and traces her roots to Ilocos Sur.
Clarkson, who was part of the 2015 All-Rookie First Team, has also spent some time in the G League, which promises to be a solid proving ground for blue-chip prospects like Green.
Green’s move really was a “game changer” since he’s the first high school to go the G League route instead of suiting up for at least one year of college.
By choosing the G League, Green will become a professional and will be legally allowed to receive pay, in this case upwards of $500,000, and a reported seven-figure deal from any shoe company as ESPN’s Nick DePaula reported.
As a top recruit, Green received offers from 20 universities including powerhouses Oregon, Kentucky, Auburn, Memphis, Kansas, UCLA, Villanova, UNLV, and Connecticut.
Green also visited the campuses of Oregon, Auburn, Memphis, and Kentucky as part of the recruiting process.