The G League's new "Select" program has the potential to affect Arizona's recruiting of five-star prospects in the future, because it will be offering some of them $125,000 to spend a year to play professionally instead of spending a year in college.
But the Wildcats appear to be safe with five-star recruits Nico Mannion and Josh Green.ย Ryan Silver, the director of the club both Mannion and Green played for, said he didn't think either would be interested in a G League Select deal whileย Pace Mannion, the father of five-star UA recruit Nico Mannion, made it clear his son was headed to UA.
"We have heard about it, but Nico is planning on helping U of A win as many games as possible," Pace Mannion said via text message. "He is looking forward to the college experience."
In Jonathan Givony's initial ESPN story on the new Select deals, G League president Malcolm Turner said 2019 players who are already committed to colleges would not be targeted, though there is always the possibility of players decommitting and seeking a G League deal.
Players who choose the Select deal will be free to also seek endorsement revenue, though they will be playing in a league with better competition and an average age of 25. Elite college teams such as Arizona often offer better facilities and charter travel, though the G League would offer prospects the chance to develop within an NBA setting.
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