G League Ignite teammates Sidy Cissoko (left) and Scoot Henderson are headed to the NBA after both were selected in the 2023 NBA Draft.
BROOKLYN – The 2023 NBA Draft was a successful night for the G League Ignite as four players, including highly-touted point guard Scoot Henderson, heard their names called on the big stage. Since its inception in 2020, 10 Ignite players have been drafted into the NBA.
Henderson, who was selected third overall by the Portland Trail Blazers, headlined Ignite’s 2023 class along with No. 33 pick Leonard Miller (selected by Spurs, then traded to Timberwolves), No. 44 pick Sidy Cissoko (Spurs) and No. 47 pick Mojave King (selected by Lakers, then traded to Pistons).
Ignite – created with the goal of preparing young prospects for the NBA Draft and life as a professional – has evolved into one of basketball’s most premier developmental programs. In addition to building on-court success and competition, the G League club offers financial literacy education and community service involvement for its players to encourage growth both on and off the court.
The Ignite team also serves as a showcase for the global game by attracting young top talent from all over the world.
Each of the four Ignite players drafted in 2023 are from different countries. Henderson, born and raised in Georgia, represents the U.S; Miller hails from Canada, Cissoko from France; and King, who was born in New Zealand, grew up playing youth basketball in Australia.
The four Ignite players selected in the Draft credited the program for helping turn their goal of playing in the NBA into a reality.
“We learned a lot of things in the beginning of the season that had nothing to do with skillset, things that go on behind the closed doors of basketball, the business of it. Learning how to be a pro both on and off the court,” said Henderson after being drafted on Thursday. “I’m the most prepared player in the draft.”
Henderson spent two years with the Ignite squad after foregoing his senior season of high school to turn pro, and quickly emerged into one of the most highly-regarded prospects in recent years. The 19-year-old guard averaged 17.6 points per game during the 2022-23 season, showing impeccable flashes of strength and athleticism.
Ignite games were broadcasted on ESPN and the NBA app this past season as a chance to offer global exposure for the evolving developmental league. Clips of Scoot and his teammates were posted across NBA social media channels, elevating the lore surrounding Ignite’s 2023 class.
Check out the best plays from G League Ignite star and NBA Draft prospect Leonard Miller during the 2022-23 NBA G League season.
Miller was the next Ignite player to hear his name called Thursday night with the Minnesota Timberwolves acquiring his draft rights in the second round. The 6-foot-10 forward from Scarborough poured in 16.9 PPG to go alongside 10.1 RPG as a 19 year old with the Ignite, which raised his draft stock over the season.
“The game that we play in the G League is the same as the NBA. The pace, the competitiveness and everything that comes with it,” Leonard told NBA.com. “You got guys coming down from the league, guys trying to make their way into the league. I already have that feel that my game right now is ready.”
Check out the best plays from G League Ignite star and NBA Draft prospect Sidy Cissoko during the 2022-23 NBA G League season.
Cissoko heard his name called after Miller when the Spurs selected him with the No. 47 pick in the second round. He’s the first European-born Ignite player and averaged 12.8 PPG during the 2022-23 season.
King was the fourth and final Ignite player to be drafted on Thursday as the Los Angeles Lakers selected him at No. 47, but was traded that same night to the Indiana Pacers. An NBA Academy graduate, King posted 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists during the 2022-23 G League season.
The 2023 Ignite class joins a strong group of alumni already playing at a high level in the NBA. The success of Ignite can be seen across the league with players like Jalen Green, Dyson Daniels, Jaden Hardy and Daishen Nix carving out their roles at the next level.
The developmental pipeline looks to be just as strong going forward as well. Projected 2024 lottery picks Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland have foregone the college route and committed to the program for the 2023-24 season. London Johnson will also return to the Ignite and looks to follow in the footsteps of their talented predecessors and raise their stock in the eyes of the basketball world.
