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Texas Tech basketball: New G-League program won’t hurt Red Raiders

By Matthew Conner

FORT WAYNE, IN - OCTOBER 22: General view of the NBA Development League logo on the floor during a preseason game between the Indiana Pacers and the Charlotte Hornets at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on October 22, 2015 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Hornets 98-86. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
FORT WAYNE, IN - OCTOBER 22: General view of the NBA Development League logo on the floor during a preseason game between the Indiana Pacers and the Charlotte Hornets at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on October 22, 2015 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Hornets 98-86. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Head coach Chris Beard and guard Jahmi’us Ramsey #3 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders stand along with fans (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Head coach Chris Beard and guard Jahmi’us Ramsey #3 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders stand along with fans (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

The college experience will be far superior

Right now, the main advantage the G League has over the NCAA is the salary it can give players.  But in all other aspects, the college experience will be more attractive, especially once the NCAA begins to pay players for the use of their likeness.

Think about the fact that players heading to the G League will be playing in relative obscurity in front of tiny crowds instead of packed venues like the United Supermarkets Arena.  What’s more, they will not be on television every night as they would be in the NCAA and when their games are televised, it will be on second or third-tier networks and in less than desirable timeslots.

The fact will remain that nothing can replace the college experience.  The allure of being a star on a college campus and all the…fun (if you catch my drift)…that brings with it, the prospect of being the next ESPN obsession similar to Zion Williamson or Tre Young, and the national notoriety that comes with being a collegiate superstar are all opportunities the G League will never be able to provide.

Then, there is the prospect of participating in the NCAA Tournament.  It’s hard to imagine any of the 2018-19 Red Raiders forsaking the experience they had last year for the prospect of $500,000.  What’s more, the players headed to the G League will be ones that think they are sure-fire NBA picks anyway meaning that many will be assured millions of dollars after their year in college thus making the salary of the G League seem less enticing.

This week, we learned that Tech’s top 2020 signee, Nimari Burnett, was offered a spot in the G League but he turned it down for a chance to compete for a national title.  That’s proof that nearly every kid who grows up playing the game dreams of the opportunity to play in the Final Four and that allure will still bring top players into the college game.

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