For Fil-American cager Jalen Green, playing and training with G-League Team Ignite have given him a big advantage in the coming National Basketball Association Rookie Draft, which is set to take place on Thursday in New York.
The 6’5” Green said being with Team Ignite, with coach Brian Shaw calling the shots, helped him develop his skills as a point guard and interact with older players inside and outside the court.
“The G-League is a step ahead in learning offense and defense in a game. Basically, it’s an advantage,” said the 19-year old Green during a Zoom huddle with scribes on Thursday, which was made possible by NBA Philippines.
For more than a year, Green played for Ignite, as part of the NBA’s new professional pathway program, with Filipino standout Kai Sotto.
Seen as a no. 2 pick in the coming Rookie Draft, Green has been working with the Houston Rockets, which also holds the second selection in the first round.
He is known as an explosive guard, who averages 17.9 points, and can handle multiple roles in that position.
“I think they’re a young team, they got great players, and they get off fast and running,” said Green of the Rockets’ present roster.
Green, whose mother Bree Purruganan is of Filipino descent, brought his game to a whole new level after he decided to skip college in favor of going professional.
“The G League is a whole different game. I think it’s one step ahead (of playing in) college,” added Green.
In the coming draft, Cade Cunningham is seen as the consensus no. 1 choice, with the Detroit Piston as his landing spot.
Also in the list of top draft choices are Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs, Jonathan Kuminga and Scottie Barnes.
