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Filipino-American star prospect Jalen Green finally made his professional basketball debut on Thursday, February 11, Manila time, in Ignite’s 109-104 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors at the Disney World bubble in Orlando, Florida.
The 19-year-old Green contributed 11 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists for Ignite, who are playing without 7-foot-3 Filipino basketball wunderkind Kai Sotto.
However, despite the victory and a double-digit output from Green, it was evident that there is still room for improvement in his game.
Green, the high-flying 6-foot-5 guard, had a rocky night on the offensive end, shooting only 40% from the field, including 1-of-3 from three-point range.
He also committed more turnovers than his assists with 3, and finished the game with a -5 in the +/- department.
Prior to the start of the bubble season, Green acknowledged that the biggest benefit for him joining the G League is to experience the NBA style of play ahead of the college players.
In April of 2020, Green turned down offers to play in the US NCAA and decided to take the G League route in order to be better prepared for the NBA level.
“I think the biggest benefit here (G League) is you’re picking up NBA things ahead of time, before the college players pick up on them,” said Green during an episode of the ESPN film session with Mike Schmitz.
“I think you’re just getting ahead of the game, and you’re learning how to be a professional,” he added.
Moreover, Green and his fellow top prospects Jonathan Kuminga, Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix are surrounded with battle-tested NBA veterans like Jarrett Jack and Amir Johnson to give them much-needed mentorship before entering the league.
“All the veterans are like big brothers to me,” said Green.
“They give me advice, they get on me when I’m slacking, so overall it’s been a good experience with the veterans and I can consider them all my big brothers,” he added.
As the G League season moves along, Green, a potential top pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, hopes to show everyone, especially the NBA coaches and scouts, that he wants to win, and he’s going to do whatever it takes just to get a win.
“I wanna win. I’m gonna do whatever it takes to win,” said Green.
Green and the Ignite squad will return to action on Saturday, February 13 against the Oklahoma City Blue in their first of back-to-back weekend games. – Rappler.com
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