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2022 NBA draft: Breaking down the best prospects who aren’t playing college basketball

More and more, we’re learning the path to the NBA does not have to go through college.

More and more, we’re learning the path to the NBA does not have to go through college, which means scouting is busier now than ever before.

The league’s reigning MVP (Nikola Jokic), NBA Finals MVP (Giannis Antetokounmpo), Defensive Player of the Year (Rudy Gobert) and even Rookie of the Year (LaMelo Ball) all came to the league without ever spending a day within the NCAA system.

Beyond the increased interest in basketball around the globe, which has allowed for great talent to find its way to the United States from all over the world, there are also alternative paths for developing domestic talent.

After the inaugural season for the G League’s Ignite program, Jalen Green was selected at No. 2 overall in the 2021 NBA draft. This season, Overtime’s new team (Elite) will tip-off with some fascinating talent taking the floor in preparation for the pros as well.

Considering that both Ignite and Elite are now set to begin their seasons, now is a great time to learn more about the best basketball prospects that you will not find on a college court next season.

Even though this list will only highlight the biggest names to know, we have also included a “watch list” for other potential breakout candidates (organized by region) who are worth learning more about as well.

Five-star PG Scoota Henderson chooses G League over college

Make that another high-profile recruit spurning college basketball to take their talents to the professional ranks earlier than expected.

Make that another high-profile recruit spurning college basketball to take their talents to the professional ranks earlier than originally expected.

Five-star point guard Scoota Henderson reclassified into the class of 2021 and signed with the G League on Friday, making him the youngest player to sign an American basketball contract. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Henderson signed a $1 million contract with G League Ignite.

Henderson was the No. 12 recruit in the class of 2022 prior to his reclassification into the class of 2021 to sign with G League Ignite. The Kell (Ga.) High School product was seriously considering Auburn and Georgia prior to his decision to sign a professional contract.

“Henderson is a dynamic and explosive point guard with positional size, long arms and a strongly built frame,” 247Sports’ Travis Branham said in his scouting report of Henderson. “Henderson is an elite athlete with a lethal first step who is very difficult to contain when he’s looking to get downhill. In the paint, Henderson not only can finish with both hands but also finishes well above the rim and will do so in traffic.

“As a shooter, Henderson is more than capable of making shots off the catch and pull from mid-range out to three but the next step in his development will be to become a more consistent threat. At this stage, he does have a score-first mindset but is a good passer and with his tremendous ability to get by defenders, he has high upside as a playmaker.

“Defensively, given his size, length, athleticism and strong frame, Henderson has all of the tools to be elite on this end and has shown that he is more than capable of being one of the best defenders in the class.”

Evaluating draft stock of Jalen Green, Jonathan Kumina and the G League Ignite

While many of the headlines went to Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga, deservedly so, we also learned a lot about Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix as well.

Now that the inaugural season for the G League Ignite is complete, we can finally evaluate the overall performances of the top prospects from the team.

The first run of this version of a high school-to-pros model was undoubtedly successful, earning a spot in the playoffs behind a winning record (8-7) in the bubble before getting eliminated in the quarterfinals.

Considering the competitiveness they showed under coach Brian Shaw, as well as the roughly $500,000 select contracts, it is easy to imagine that this will be a viable route for more prospects moving forward.

While many of the headlines went to Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga, deservedly so, we also learned a lot about Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix as well.

Here is what we saw from these players during their time playing in the G League’s bubble location in Florida.

3 G League Ignite players to watch against Oklahoma City Blue

Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Daishen Nix are players OKC Thunder fans should pay attention to in the Blue vs. Ignite G League game.

On Friday, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s development league affiliate, the OKC Blue, will play against the G League Ignite.

Ignite is an alternative to the college route for a select group of elect high school basketball players. The roster, made of both the teens and more veteran players, is not affiliated with an NBA organization.

With the elite players on this team who do not have NBA representation, the Thunder can use this game in particular as part of their draft process: This is college for some of these athletes.

With multiple first-round picks — and potentially multiple top-10 picks — Oklahoma City could end up drafting one of these players next offseason. Fans can pay attention to a few players in particular.

The game tips off at 2 p.m. Central Time and will be aired on ESPNU.

Santa Cruz Warriors to open season against G League Ignite on Feb. 10

To open the G League’s edition of Orlando Bubble, the Santa Cruz Warriors will battle Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga and the Ignite.

For the next couple of weeks, the Golden State Warriors bench is going to look a little different. Instead of suiting up for Golden State, Nico Mannion, Jordan Poole and Alen Smailagic are slated to join the Santa Cruz Warriors for the G League’s Orlando Bubble.

Along with the trio of young Warriors, the Santa Cruz lineup will feature Jeremy Lin. The nine-year NBA veteran spent last season in the Chinese Basketball Association playing for the Beijing Ducks. Lin last played in the NBA for the Toronto Raptors in the 2018-19 season.

Golden State training camp invites Axel Toupane, Kaleb Wesson, Ryan Taylor and Dwayne Sutton will help round out Santa Cruz’s rotation at Disney World.

With the roster set, the G League edition of the Orlando Bubble will begin a 15 game run on Feb. 10. First on Santa Cruz’s schedule is a highly anticipated matchup with the newly formed G League Ignite.

The Ignite is a developmental team built with draft-eligible prospects, including projected top 2021 picks Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga. Along with draft prospects, veterans Jarrett Jack, Amir Johnson and Bobby Brown will suit up for the Ignite.

The G League battle between the Ignite and Warriors is scheduled to get underway on Feb. 10 at 8 a.m. PST in Orlando.

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