Shareef Abdur-Rahim – Syndication Server

Guard Sidy Cissoko, a standout …

Guard Sidy Cissoko, a standout international prospect from France, has signed with NBA G League Ignite, NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim announced today. A member of the French U18 National Team, Cissoko becomes the first European-born prospect to join Ignite.

Justin Kubatko: Ja Morant last night:

37 PTS

8 AST

2 STL Morant has scored at least 30 points 24 times this season, double that of the next-closest player in @Memphis Grizzlies history (Shareef Abdur-Rahim). He has 33 career 30-point games, one shy of the franchise record held by Abdur-Rahim. pic.twitter.com/qEiLEDpNh0

Justin Kubatko: Ja Morant last night:

36 PTS

6 REB

NBA Academy graduate Princepal Singh, a 6-10 forward from Punjab, India, has signed to play in the NBA G League next season, it was announced today by NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Singh, who will train and compete alongside the new G League team featuring elite youth prospects, is the first NBA Academy graduate to sign with the NBA G League and first NBA Academy India graduate to sign a professional contract.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer Princepal the opportunity to begin his professional basketball journey in the NBA G League,” said Abdur-Rahim. “We’ve long hoped that our development pathway for elite high school players would include roster spots for emerging international talent, including players who have participated in the NBA Academy program, and we’re excited to have Princepal forge this new path and develop his skills in our league.”

Another twist: Goodwin once represented power forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim during his 11-year NBA career—-the same Abdur-Rahim who is now the president of the G League and the moving force behind the new NBA G League Select Team. Coincidence? “That’s not a coincidence. 100 percent not a coincidence. That’s how this works,” NBA agent Happy Walters tells TrueHoop. “Aaron Goodwin hasn’t had a young guy in ages. He doesn’t deal with young guys.”

Answers have not been overly forthcoming. But to that last point, Abdur-Rahim understands the appearance. “It’s all about relationships in our business. Aaron and I have a good relationship that dates back a long time,” Abdur-Rahim says. “But I can say that about a dozen agents that I’ve gotten to know during my time in this game.” At least one other agent is taking it in stride. “Rod and Shareef are good guys and want this to work well and I believe that it will be as good as it can be,” Walters said. “However, there will be some unintended consequences.”

Filipino basketball wunderkind Kai Sotto is ready to change the game. The 7-foot-2 cager received his official NBA G League gear Wednesday and posted it on his Instagram account. The welcome package, which came in a big box, includes a personalized digital message from NBA G League Commissioner Shareef Abdur-Rahim as well as a body bag, cap, and t-shirt. He also uploaded an IGTV clip of his unboxing of the package.