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          G League Ignite Year 2: NBA prospects to know, what's changed and was last season a success?

          • Mike SchmitzOct 29, 2021, 08:00 AM ET

          WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Over the past two weeks, scouts and executives have traveled to the Bay Area to get a first-hand look at the G League Ignite and its six NBA draft prospects in the program's second year of existence.

          This time last year, in-person practice visits weren't possible. For weeks workouts were limited, with only one player and coach allowed per basket.

          "Tough days, running by yourself," former Ignite guard Daishen Nix told ESPN during our visit to Walnut Creek last season.

          Because of strict COVID-19 protocols, NBA teams were restricted to film evaluations, familiarizing themselves with Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Isaiah Todd and Nix by way of two taped scrimmages against a mishmash of G Leaguers and overseas vets. No NBA personnel were able to enter the Ignite's facilities all season.

          Executives ultimately got an in-depth look at the Ignite prospects in the Orlando-based G League Bubble, with most raving about the setup and ability to evaluate the players live amid a global pandemic. But with just a 16-game sample in the Ignite's inaugural season and no true road games, it wasn't easy to gauge how successful the program would be, and if it prepared its prospects for the NBA any better or worse than the traditional collegiate route. Fast forward to this season, and the Ignite have an entirely new coaching staff, six prospects ages 17 to 20 from three different countries, a few new veterans in the fold, and a potential new location for home games.

          Will the Ignite, who open the preseason Friday at the Iowa Wolves, produce two top-10 picks again? How do NBA scouts view the program as a whole? We spent two days in Walnut Creek to find out.

          THE PROSPECTS

          The 2021-22 Ignite squad doesn't have the sheer firepower of last year's team, which featured two top-5 high school recruits in Green and Kuminga. But this year's class offers depth and variety.

          Jaden Hardy | 6-foot-4 | 188 pounds | SG | USA | No. 3 on ESPN 100

          Standing 6-4 with a solid frame, a 6-9 wingspan and shooting range from half court, Hardy possesses a lot of the qualities teams look for in a modern NBA guard. Thirty-foot pull-ups and step-back 3s have never been more valuable, and few teenagers in the world are as advanced as Hardy in terms of off-the-dribble shooting. He has spent time training with Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, picking his brain about the importance of pace. He has been in the gym with Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden, studying his creativity, feel for the game, and how he maintains balance on his go-to moves. Sitting down for a 40-minute film session with the Detroit native, his self-belief is clear.

          "I feel like I'm the best player in this class honestly," said Hardy, whose brother, Amauri Hardy, was also signed by the Ignite. "There's a lot of great players in this class -- Chet [Holmgren], Paolo [Banchero], those are my guys. I just feel like my game stands out more. I feel like my game translates better to this modern NBA."

          With guards ranging from Bradley Beal to Lillard to Devin Booker all thriving, Hardy has a point. One year after winning Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior at Coronado High School, he averaged over 40 a game before opting out of his senior year in January after the season was canceled because of COVID-19. His team went on to play as prep school Air Nado. Hardy once went for 62 in a high school game. He dropped 46 against premier program Prolific Prep. Watching his high school tape, he regularly knocked down 3s from just inside half court while also proving to be strong off screens, dribble handoffs, and out of pick-and-roll, elevating in midrange or getting to the rim and finishing with creativity. Simply put, he was the best scorer in high school basketball.

          Evaluating Hardy live for the first time in over two years, it didn't take long to realize his shooting stroke is his clear strength. Given his confidence, instincts and shooting touch, Hardy could rank among the G League's top-10 scorers this season, which we saw from Green as he averaged 18.7 points over 32.3 minutes in 16 games.

          But while Green is dynamic, seemingly with springs in his legs, Hardy doesn't have the same burst, shift or bounce, forcing him to rely more on skill and timing. Like Green and other recent top pick Anthony Edwards at the same stage, Hardy is still learning how to play an efficient brand of basketball. With ultimate freedom to pull up from anywhere in high school, Hardy has quite a bit of room for growth as a decision-maker. The Ignite staff is emphasizing quicker decisions, being more purposeful with his dribble and learning how to play when the ball isn't in his hands. Given his size at 6-4, proving he can play on the ball as a lead guard would only add to his intrigue, as making pick-and-roll reads remains a growth area. Buying in defensively is a priority as well for Hardy, who often was lackadaisical on that end of the floor at the high school level. If Hardy can address some of those areas it's not out of the question that he challenges Holmgren and Banchero as a top-2 NBA draft pick, as there's no other prospect in this draft with his 3-level scoring ability.

          Hardy's debut pro season shouldn't come without its lumps, however, and he had his struggles in live action during my recent visit, understandable given his lack of experience at the FIBA level. If Hardy puts forth an inefficient, uneven season where he's only hunting his own shots, scouts might wonder if he's better suited for a bucket-getting role like a Jordan Poole, Jordan Clarkson, Cam Thomas or Anfernee Simons than the stars he models his game after, especially with highly touted prospects like Jabari Smith and Jalen Duren right behind him in our Top-100.

          Dyson Daniels | 6-6 | 185 | PG/SG | Australia | No. 16 on ESPN 100

          Although Daniels didn't participate during our visit due to a tweaked back, we were able to break down film with him and get a feel for how he sees the game. ESPN's Jonathan Givony also evaluated the 6-6 guard from Australia at the U19 World Championships this summer, where he ranked in the top-10 in assists (fifth), defensive win shares (third) and win shares (seventh) while averaging 21.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 3.4 steals per 40 minutes. Daniels is expected to play point guard under new coach Jason Hart, who told ESPN he sees some young Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Daniels' game -- SGA measured 6-6, 180 with a 6-11.5 wingspan, while Daniels came in at 6-6, 185 with a 6-10 wingspan.

          "I think my game is pretty unique, pretty versatile," said Daniels, who chose the Ignite over the NCAA and NBL. "I love playing defense. I get a lot of my offense out of my defense. Being a big guard, 6-6 PG. Being able to make plays off the bounce, get in the key, find open players and use my floater, which I like to do."

          Daniels, who follows Josh Giddey as the next highly touted Australian to come out of the NBA Global Academy, does a lot of the little things that impact winning, pressuring the ball defensively, making the extra pass, cutting and crashing the glass. The son of former NC State forward Ricky Daniels, he is incredibly impressive in the film room, diagnosing and explaining nuances like few teenagers. For Daniels, 18, to live up to his current top-15 ranking, however, he'll have to keep evolving as a pull-up shooter, tighten his handle, add more creative finishes to his repertoire, and find ways not to blend in while playing in a league that generally rewards aggressive scorers. Even if Daniels never becomes the half-court scorer Gilgeous-Alexander is, he has a relatively high floor as an instinctive combo guard who does a lot of things well, with the tools to play on or off the ball.

          Michael Foster | 6-8 | 247 | PF/C | USA | No. 31 on ESPN Top 100

          Like Isaiah Todd a season ago, Foster arrives to the Ignite with a big prep reputation, spending a lot of his high school career in ESPN's top 10. Like Todd, Foster might never be the star some projected when he was a young teen, but there's still a need for a powerful 6-foot-8 big who can handle the ball, make an open 3 and absorb NBA physicality with his 247-pound frame. Foster shares physical similarities to a young Julius Randle. Expected to play both 4 and 5 under Coach Hart, Foster is the type of aggressive scorer who should be productive at the G League level, as he has been so far during preseason practices. The question will be if most of his offense comes by way of brute force or in a more skillful manner that will translate against NBA size and length. Foster competed during our time scouting the Ignite, staying active on the offensive glass, rejecting a few shots at the rim, making a couple of heady reads, and showing potential on his perimeter jumper.

          Watching him at the high school level at Hillcrest in Arizona, much of his offense was predicated off isolations, given the freedom he was allowed to break off possessions and use as many dribbles as necessary to produce a highlight. Defensive effort came and went, and Foster isn't exactly the rim protector needed to play the 5, nor the rangy defender to check combo forwards. Now that he's surrounded with more talent, whether or not Foster can make quick reads within the flow of the offense, turn his jumper into a consistent option and find a position defensively, will go a long way in determining if he can emerge as a first-round prospect.

          MarJon Beauchamp | 6-6 | 194 | SF | USA | No. 53 on ESPN Top 100

          If his play in Walnut Creek so far is any indication, Beauchamp could go down as the G League Ignite's biggest success story to date. Where the Ignite can truly have an impact is with talented prospects in dire need of direction and development. Enter Beauchamp, whose winding road could have ended in an obscure country on a low-level team 10 years ago. Beauchamp -- born in Yakima, Washington -- played for four different high schools in four years before ultimately signing with unproven training program Chameleon BX in the Bay Area. Beauchamp landed at Yakima Valley Junior College, where he put up huge numbers and received collegiate interest, but questions loomed about his NCAA eligibility. If it weren't for the alternate pathways that now exist, the 20-year-old might have played at a low level abroad and never truly addressed some bad habits on the court.

          With NBA scouts now able to evaluate him in a competitive setting, Beauchamp has opened eyes, looking the part of a potential first-rounder at times. He's the most physically impressive of the Ignite prospects at 6-6 with a wide-shouldered 194-pound frame and a 7-1 wingspan, comparing favorably to NBA wings such as Kelly Oubre Jr., Matisse Thybulle and Mikal Bridges. More of a creator when we first evaluated him in 2018, Beauchamp is playing a 3 and D wing role for Hart, showing the ability to defend multiple positions, make plays off the ball with his length, attack gaps offensively, knock down spot 3s and even create for his teammates in spurts.

          With the NBA starved for wing defenders in Beauchamp's mold, he doesn't have to be prolific this season to garner real first-round interest. If he can defend with energy, shoot around 35% from distance, and prove to be a sound decision-maker, Beauchamp could emerge as the Ignite's second-best draft-eligible prospect.

          Fanbo Zeng | 6-11| 197 lbs | SF/PF | China | Unranked

          This was my first live look at Zeng, who looked like a clear NBA prospect in drills by elevating for dunks, splashing 3s with consistent mechanics (he broke the Ignite's shooting drill record), and moving gracefully for a player of his height. Unfortunately, we weren't able to see the lefty forward in live action as the training staff is being cautious after he suffered a knee injury during his time in China. Zeng surely wouldn't be the first Chinese prospect to wow in 1-on-0 settings, as Zhou Qi did in 2016.

          But Zeng's long-term outcome could have better results.

          Zeng brings a different flair than most past prospects from China, speaking perfect English given his time at U.S. high schools before originally committing to Gonzaga, which Jonathan Givony outlined on ESPN. He looks up to Japanese forward Yuta Watanabe. He idolizes Kevin Durant. He'll study similarly unique prospects such as Aleksej Pokusevski. Coaches are drawn to his confidence. NBA scouts have been impressed with his skill level.

          Given the 1-on-0 circumstance, it remains to be seen how Zeng's skill set, 197-pound frame and 6-9 wingspan will translate to actual game play. Even with the uncertainty, Zeng gives this Ignite group an element it hasn't yet had -- a tantalizing international player. If Hart and his staff can help develop Zeng into an eventual NBA player, that will go a long way in building the viability of the program, thus making it more attractive to the next international prospect. As Givony has reported, Zeng will be in the 2022 NBA draft, and per agreement with his club in China, he must hear his name called on draft night to remain in the U.S. beyond 2022.

          Scoot Henderson | 6-2 | 189 | USA | RSCI No. 10 Recruit in 2021

          Henderson, 17, was injured during my time in Walnut Creek, but he isn't draft-eligible until 2023, giving scouts plenty of time to evaluate the Georgia native. Based on what we saw at Impact Basketball in Las Vegas during the 2021 pre-draft process, Henderson has all the ingredients of a future top-5 pick thanks to his stellar physical profile, improved shooting and explosive style of play. Henderson measured 6-2, 189 pounds with a 6-8 wingspan, comparing favorably to Derrick Rose and Eric Bledsoe when they were 19.

          He's the first Ignite prospect to agree to a multiyear contract, a welcome sign for the program as a whole. There's an argument to be made that Henderson is the best long-term prospect to take the floor for the Ignite this season, gaining invaluable experience against G Leaguers for two full seasons before entering the NBA. Given the length of time with the program, Henderson's NBA-readiness come 2023 will be the most accurate barometer for the effectiveness of the development system as a whole, and could entice other under-18 prospects to consider the Ignite as a legitimate pathway to the NBA.

          What's different about G League Ignite in 2021-22?

          • New coaching staff: With Brian Shaw joining Tyronn Lue's LA Clippers staff as an assistant coach, former NBA guard, Syracuse standout and longtime USC assistant Jason Hart is now at the helm. Hart brings great energy and positivity to the program, as well as a familiarity with West Coast players, including Beauchamp, Hardy and Foster from the recruiting trail. While partially due to the pandemic circumstances, the program had a more upbeat feel with Hart, who said he wants to bring an international flavor to development, emphasizing more shooting reps. Joining Hart is veteran Rod Baker, who has coached in the NCAA, ABA, PBL and Harlem Globetrotters, while also having G League stints with the Bakersfield Jam and Delaware 87ers before joining the Sixers as a college scout. The Ignite are also flush with experienced player development coaches and video coordinators.

          • Who are the vets? The final roster has yet to officially be released, but based on what I've gathered and saw at practice, the Ignite will trot out several new players, with a couple of returners as well. The most impactful from a teamwide development standpoint is 37-year-old Pooh Jeter, a 5-11 bucket-getter who averaged 18.5 points per game in 2006-07 in the then-D-League when it had just 12 teams. Jeter played in China, Spain, Ukraine and Israel, while also playing with the Ukrainian National Team as a naturalized player. Viewed as a mentor for young prospects along the West Coast, Jeter's experience, energy and professionalism figures to pay major dividends. Former Georgetown big man Jessie Govan returns after playing eight games with the Ignite last season along with NBA vet Amir Johnson. Former UNLV and Oregon guard Amauri Hardy and former San Diego State standouts Malik Pope and Dakarai Allen round out the current group.

          • Open to NBA teams: Due to changing rules around NBA prospects, this is the first year the Ignite have been able to open practice to NBA teams. In talking to G League president Shareef Abdur Rahim, the Ignite opted not to set specific "NBA days" like many NCAA programs are doing, making it much easier for scouts to pair a day trip to an Ignite practice with a Kings home game or another college bout in the area. Most NBA teams will have made it up to Walnut Creek by the end of October, as they traverse the country checking in on college prospects. The Kings brought close to their entire front office to the Ignite's first open practice on Oct. 14. Scouts have seemed pleased with the ease of evaluation so far. On top of NBA teams stopping by, the Ignite have also been able to host recruits, giving them a glimpse of their development plan and facilities. Five-star recruit Brandon Miller was at the facility during my time there.

          • More games: The Ignite are currently scheduled to play 22 regular-season games (and three preseason bouts) against G League teams. They'll also participate in the G League Winter Showcase in Las Vegas in mid-December, moving them closer to the 30-or-so games NCAA prospects usually play. While Orlando was useful to evaluate Green, Kuminga and the rest of the Ignite squad against G Leaguers, some of the teams had been together for less than a week at the start of the season. A lot of two-way players were in the NBA bubble, which lightened the competition somewhat.

          While Ignite players didn't have to deal with the stresses of travel last season, the 2021-22 Ignite will open their preseason in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday, with a schedule that features several road trips. Although it's not yet official, the Ignite are expected to be playing their home games in Las Vegas this season. Specific venue details have yet to be dispersed to NBA teams.

          What are the lingering questions around G League Ignite?

          Given the circumstances of the pandemic, last year's Ignite season should be viewed as a success. But one casualty NBA scouts have pointed to is 6-4 point guard Daishen Nix, who went undrafted. Originally committed to UCLA, Nix was once a projected lottery pick before an up-and-down showing in the G League Bubble and the NBA pre-draft combine. Nix's inconsistency could partially be chalked up to COVID-19 restrictions or a misevaluation from all parties (Ignite, recruiting services and draft analysts like myself).

          Even if he had ended up in Westwood, Nix might not have fit, potentially sitting behind Tyger Campbell as UCLA made a deep NCAA tournament run. It's not out of the ordinary to see a prospect overranked, projected as an NCAA one-and-done only to leave school and go undrafted -- see Trevon Duval or Kahlil Whitney, among recent names. But college prospects have the option to transfer, or go back to school if they aren't ready. Nix was auto-eligible for the 2021 draft by virtue of NBA rules. With NIL now blurring the lines of "amateurism," will there ever be a world where Ignite prospects could simply go through the draft process and return for a second season if they're not ready?

          It would be unrealistic to expect all five draft-eligible 2021-22 Ignite prospects to prove themselves as first-round picks after one year of pro-development. But given the current rules, it bears watching how the Ignite can minimize Nix situations, or at least better prepare those prospects who don't live up to expectations after one year to navigate pro waters as 19- or 20-year-olds, which I'd fully expect them to do given their strong staff and resources.

          All isn't lost for Nix, a 19-year-old who is on a two-way contract with a young Houston Rockets team that's prioritizing development. But with COVID-19 protocols loosened and a more traditional season in place, this 2021-22 campaign will likely be a more accurate litmus test for the Ignite program.

          Mike Schmitz is an NBA Draft expert and a contributor to DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and International teams.