The NBA's G League is embarking on a new venture to create opportunities for America's best young basketball prospects by means of a novel route.
According to ESPN's Jonathan Givony, the G League will offer an alternative to the one-and-done rule from next summer by making available select contracts worth $125,000 to "elite prospects" who are at least 18 years but not yet eligible for the NBA Draft.
The G League will look to recruit recent or would-be high school graduates who don't wish to spend a year in college for the sole reason of ending up in the NBA. Such prospects will earn a healthy, six-figure salary but will also get exposure to league infrastructure and potentially benefit from other off-court development programs.
PREVIOUSLY: MYLES TURNER OPENS UP AOUT DOING YOGA & TRAINING OFFSEASON WORKOUT
In addition, selected players will be under no obligation to abide by NCAA rules and could hire agents, make money off of image rights and sign sneaker deals, as well as pursue other marketing and endorsement ventures.
"We appreciate the NBA's decision to provide additional opportunities for those who would like to pursue their dream of playing professionally," Mark Emmert, the NCAA president, said in a statement.
"The NCAA recently implemented significant reforms to support student-athlete success, including more flexibility when deciding whether to play professionally.
"Obtaining a college education continues to provide unmatched preparation for success in life for the majority of student-athletes and remains an excellent path to professional sports for many. However, this change provides another option for those who would prefer not to attend college but want to directly pursue professional basketball."
"The broader basketball community has called for the NBA to enhance our G League offerings," G League president Malcolm Turner told ESPN. "We believe this is an answer to that call. We believe this is a thoughtful and responsive answer."
Back in April, the Commission on College Basketball - an entity formed by the NCAA following the investigation into fraud in the sport at collegiate level - recommended that the NBA and NCAA work to create ways to work around the one-and-done rule.
The NBA considers this venture an appropriate response to past criticisms, although they won't make any changes to their age limit before the 2022 draft.