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News has been swirling today about the NBA’s revamped G-League and the elite recruits former UK assistant Rod Strickland is targeting for it.
As of now, former UK recruits Jalen Green and Isaiah Todd are the only two big names set to play in it. But it was made pretty clear that the G-League has other big-name recruits it’s coming after, including UK recruits from the 2020 and 2021 classes.
According to Jake Weingarten, the G-League is recruiting five-star 2020 forward Greg Brown.
The G-League has an offer out to five-star senior Greg Brown and he’s indeed added it to his final list of options. The super-athletic forward from Texas will announce his choice on the 24th.
— Jake (@jakeweingarten) April 16, 2020
The Real Sources adds it’s an offer of $400,000.
And according to Tipton Edits, five-star 2021 center Moussa Cisse is also being recruited by the G-League.
Source: 2021 five-star Moussa Cisse has been contacted by the NBA G-League.
— Tipton Edits (@TiptonEdits) April 16, 2020
Now, it should be pointed out that UK is unlikely to beat out the Texas Longhorns for Greg Brown. Even the Auburn Tigers and Memphis Tigers have gotten more buzz than UK in this recruitment over the last month, so the chances of the top-10 recruit out of Austin (TX) landing in Lexington were already between slim and none.
Cisse, on the other hand, appeared to be a more realistic target, whether he stayed in 2021 or reclassified into 2020 as expected (the G-League is probably selling him on reclassing, developing in their system for a year, then entering the 2021 NBA Draft). Cisse has also been part of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program, so he likely already has a unique connection to the G-League decision-makers.
UK has been in dire need of frontcourt help for the 2020-21 season, and while they weren’t favored for Cisse (LSU and Florida State have gotten the most buzz recently), one should never count out John Calipari and co.
The Wildcats did just pick up a transfer from Rhode Island forward Jacob Toppin and are presumed to be the favorite for Purdue transfer Matt Haarms, but there’s no question Cisse, a top-10 recruit from Memphis (TN), has the highest ceiling of them all.
It will be interesting to see what other recruits the G-League starts pursuing and how much of an effect it has on UK next season and in future years. It’s clear the NBA means business about getting these guys into their system and preparing them for the pros.