The number one college basketball recruit in the country isn’t going to play college basketball at all.
Jalen Green, an 18-year-old out of California projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft announced that he will make the unprecedented move to enter the NBA/G League’s professional pathway program right out of high school rather than spending a year in college. In doing so, Green, who will make $500,000 to take part in the one-year developmental program, is paving a new path for prospects to the NBA.
Green’s decision has been a hot topic among NBA insiders and the NBA Countdown crew talked about it in their weekly videocast on Thursday. Paul, who has been a huge proponent for paying college players or waiving the college requirement to the NBA is very much in favor of the move.
“If you told me I could’ve done that before I decided to go to Kansas, the way my situation was — my mom didn’t even have enough to get me a plane ticket home for spring break, I couldn’t come home for Christmas break or Thanksgiving— I would’ve done that,” Paul said. “If you’ve got an opportunity to make money, and they’re going to pay you to do it out of high school, I don’t see why not…if you can get paid for your skills, why not?”
The Countdown crew also took a look back at Paul’s unsuccessful showing in the NBA H-O-R-S-E competition, where he was swept by Zach LaVine in the first round. Jalen Rose, Maria Taylor and Jay Williams came to Truth’s defense and consoled him on the loss.
“I’m here for defense of The Truth,” Rose said. “Zach LaVine did to him what Trae Young should’ve done to Chauncey. He went athletic. Like the one time when he slapped the glass on the left side and did the reverse, only like 13 people ever can do that.”
“My hats off to him,” Paul said.
“It’s all good, Paul,” Taylor said. “We are here to support you no matter what, you’re still on our team, so we’re going to get you a W here today.”
Watch the whole episode below.
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