Ignite Update: Early Season Observations from Talented Roster

Checking in on the talented G League Ignite roster and the draft stocks of the top NBA prospects.

Author:
Nick Crain
Publish date:
Nov 14, 2023 8:00 AM EST

Since the inception of the Ignite program, the G League has become a more popular route for some of the top young talent in the world. Following an exciting preseason with exhibition games against teams like the Perth Wildcats, Ignite has now moved into the regular season.

The team has only played in three regular season games to this point, but there still have been quite a few things that can be taken away. Ignite has struggled, but the talent is very clear.

As it relates to the 2024 NBA Draft, how have the top Ignite prospects looked so far this season through three games?

_{Note: Matas Buzelis, Dink Pate and London Johnson have not yet played in the regular season}

Ron Holland

3 GP | 14.7 PPG | 6.0 RPG | 2.7 APG | 22.2% 3PT

With the potential to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Holland has extremely high expectations this season. He's been solid to start this G League campaign, showcasing his ability to change the game on both ends of the floor. But there's still quite a bit he needs to work on, with plenty of time to do so.

For starters, it's a small sample size but the 3-point shot hasn't been falling early in the season. That will absolutely be a swing skill for him ahead of next summer's draft. He has also turned the ball over at a very high rate, but that should improve as he gets more comfortable at the G League level.

Regardless, he's still looked every bit of a top-three draft pick to this point in the season. In fact, he's notched an 8.8 C-RAM according to Cerebro Sports thus far, which is second-best on the Ignite roster.

Tyler Smith

3 GP | 17.7 PPG | 4.3 RPG | 2.3 BPG | 70% 3PT

If anyone has done the most in positive way for their draft stock through the first three games of the G League season, it's been Smith. A combo forward with great size, he's showcased his unique skillset and ability to be a playmaker.

While it wouldn't be fair to call him the best prospect on this roster, he has emerged as even more of a clear first-round pick at this point. Smith nearly leads the team in scoring and has done so while being extremely efficient from the floor.

Izan Almansa

3 GP | 6.3 PPG | 5.7 RPG | 1.7 APG | 36.8% FG

Although Almansa dominated on both the FIBA and Overtime Elite stages before joining the G League, this is a completely different level of competition. He still projects to be a lottery selection given all of the skills he possesses at his size, but the Spanish big is still figuring things out.

He hasn't had a breakout game yet offensively, but his ability to stuff the stat sheet doing everything well on both ends has been impressive. The next big step will be taking and making triples this season, but that should come with time.

Babacar Sane

3 GP | 8.7 PPG | 5.3 RPG | 1.3 BPG | 37% FG

With an incredibly strong frame, Sane has tremendous upside as a rebounder. This has proven true early in this season, as he's been one of the best on the entire roster cleaning the glass.

A versatile wing, Sane has the ability to defend a variety of positions. He's also hoping to showcase an improved 3-point shot this season, but that hasn't come to fruition quite yet.

Thierry Darlan

3 GP | 7.0 PPG | 2.0 APG | 1.3 SPG | 10% FG

While he clearly has the talent and upside to be taken in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, Darlan is still an unfinished product. As this G League season goes on, the expectation is that he quickly improves into a much more productive player.

In this early season sample, he's played a significant role with more than 25 minutes per game on average, but the offense has been wildly inefficient. Darlan has done some nice things defensively with his length, but he's yet to break out on that end either.

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