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National Basketball Development League
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National Basketball Development League

American sports organization
Also known as: NBDL
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Quick Summary

The National Basketball Development League (NBDL), now known as the NBA G League, was launched by the NBA in 2001. It functions as a "farm system" for the NBA, providing a structured environment for player development and a pathway for aspiring athletes to reach the professional level. This initiative addressed a long-standing gap in the NBA's infrastructure, which previously relied heavily on college basketball for player recruitment. The NBDL allows players to gain experience and refine their skills, mirroring minor league systems found in other professional sports like baseball. This development has become increasingly important as the NBA has seen more players drafted directly from high school, with rules now in place requiring players to be at least 19 and have completed one year out of high school before becoming draft-eligible.12

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. history of basketball - U.S. professional basketball
  2. basketball - U.S. professional basketball

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