LAS VEGAS (AP) — Building off the success of last year’s games involving Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson, the G League is bringing more international talent into Las Vegas this fall.
The G League Fall Invitational will be held Sept. 6 and Sept. 8, pitting the G League Ignite against the Perth Wildcats. Just like last year’s games between the Ignite and Boulogne-Levallois — Henderson’s team from this past season against Wembanyama’s French team from this past season — the matchups will showcase at least three projected first-round picks in the 2024 NBA draft.
“The international presence within the G League grows stronger each year, and with these preseason games against a storied and successful program in the Perth Wildcats, we’re excited to continue to showcase some of the best young prospects and top talent from around the globe,” G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim said. “If last year’s games are any indication, this will be another competitive and electrifying preseason.”
Wembanyama and Henderson went head-to-head twice last October in Henderson, Nevada, the Las Vegas suburb where the Ignite play their home games. Wembanyama became the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft by San Antonio; Henderson went No. 3 in the draft to the Portland Trail Blazers. Those games last fall brought scouts from all 30 NBA teams, plus generated global media attention.
Ignite has produced 10 NBA draft picks in the past three seasons, the most of any team, including four top-10 selections with more likely coming. Lottery hopefuls and McDonald’s All-Americans Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland are on the Ignite roster for this coming season.
Another likely first-round pick in the 2024 draft is Perth standout Alexandre Sarr — whose brother is Oklahoma City’s Olivier Sarr.
The team from Western Australia is the most successful club in NBL history, with 10 championships and 16 Grand Finals appearances. Former NBA player and three-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton is also on Perth’s current roster, as is Keanu Pinder — who is playing in Summer League at Las Vegas with the Phoenix Suns.
“We are thrilled to have been invited to travel to Las Vegas in early September to compete in a two-game series against G League Ignite,” Perth general manager Danny Mills said. “Taking our team and the organization to play on a global stage is an integral part of our long-term strategy as a club.”
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Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press
