These G League teams are directly run by NBA franchises with staff members that are paid by the parent club and in a lot of cases are in or near the same city. Not only do you have the benefit of more intense coaching but you also have the opportunity to practice and play against other guys for at least 60 games who are trying to make it into the league.
Why do you think so many G Leagues get called up every season. It's because of the exposure they are receiving.
The last thing anyone cares about, except maybe you, is the 1000 fans who attend the games.
Could any player improve his draft positioning by waiting a year. Absolutely, but conversely, what could happen if he has a poor year and/or gets injured.
The whole “playing another year of college hoops is better for development” crowd are just ridiculous.
Why can’t any of them admit it’s because they want to see that player in their team’s uniform for one more season?
A G League player can train and practice a virtually unlimited amount of time.
College kids cannot.
And they are always competing with and against comparable pro-level players.
College kids are not. Not even at Dook or UK.
They are also unencumbered by having to deal with the “student” part of being student-athlete.
It’s irrelevant how many fans attend G League games -
the only “exposure” that matters is to the NBA front offices, and practicing and playing in the G League gives them that in spades.
I have no clue whether another year at Cuse would be better for Judah’s long term career than getting drafted in the 2nd round this year.
I absolutely would love to see him in Orange for another year.
But that’s more about wanting my alma mater to be better at hoops.
(and ideally propel Judah into the 1st round next year, but clearly nobody can know whether that will be the case, or not.)