NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 18: Jalen Green # 14 of Team Zion dunks before the game against Team … [+]
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The NBA G League announced Friday that 18 teams, including 17 NBA G and G League Ignite League teams, will take to court in February at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Center near Orlando, Fla. advance to playoff one-off.
Forbes SportsMoney said last month that the Ignite was among the teams expected.
“We worked closely with our teams, the Basketball Players Union, and public health experts to develop a structure that allows our teams to gather at one location and play safely,” said NBA League President G Shareef Abdur-Rahim. “We are thrilled to get back into basketball and fulfill our mission as an essential resource for the NBA in developing players, coaches, referees, athletic trains and head office staff. ”
NBA teams without an NBA G League affiliate participating in Orlando will have the opportunity to assign roster players and move Two-way players using league flexible assignment and Two-Way rules. The full list of the 17 participating NBA G League teams is below.
“Our Cast Members are eager to work with the NBA family again and welcome in the next round of talented basketball players to compete at the ESPN World Sports Center,” said Faron Kelley, vice president of Disney Sports. “Most importantly, Disney and the NBA G League will continue our shared focus on the essential safety protocols for the well-being of the players, coaches, staff and everyone who supports this event. “
Ignite, the team recently launched for NBA-deserved Draft NBA elite players coached by former NBA player and head coach Brian Shaw and featuring projected lottery selections Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga, will play their first games against an NBA G League tournament in Orlando. Unlike a traditional season, Ignite will be eligible to advance to the playoffs at the Walt Disney World Tourist Center due to this year’s unique setting.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 18: Jonathan Kuminga # 14 of Team Jimma wakes up during Summer SLAM … [+]
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“We’re really excited to be part of Disney’s G League record,” Shaw said. “This is a great opportunity for our players to showcase their development as they quickly gain great experience against the level of talent they face every day in the NBA. ”
League players, coaches, team and staff living on the NBA G League campus of the Walt Disney World Resort will be guided by comprehensive health and safety protocols throughout the league, based on key social distance principles , mask wear, hand hygiene and COVID- 19 test.
The NBA G League heads to Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex just a few months after the NBA resumed the 2019-20 NBA regular season at that venue last summer, which ended with the Los Angeles Lakers win NBA title.
The full game and the 2021 NBA G League broadcast schedule will be announced later.
The 17 participating NBA G League teams are:
· Agua Caliente Clips (LA Clippers)
· Austin Spurs (San Antonio Spurs)
· Canton Cost (Cleveland Cavaliers)
· Delaware Blue Coats (Philadelphia 76ers)
· Erie BayHawks (New Orleans Pelicans)
· Fort Wayne Mad Ants (Indiana Pacers)
· Swarm Greensboro (Charlotte Hornets)
· Iowa Wolves (Minnesota Timberwolves)
· Lakeland Magic (Orlando Magic)
· Long Island Net (Brooklyn Nets)
· Memphis Hustle (Memphis Grizzlies)
· Oklahoma City Blue (Oklahoma City Thunder)
· Raptors 905 (Toronto Raptors)
· Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Houston Rockets)
· Salt Lake City (Utah Jazz) Stars
· Santa Cruz Heroes (Golden State Heroes)
· Westchester Knicks (New York Knicks)