NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2022 – The NBA G League’s top young players will be on display at NBA All-Star 2022 in Cleveland in the inaugural NBA G League Next Gem Game featuring G League Ignite taking on the Cleveland Charge.
A new facet of NBA All-Star 2022, the NBA G League Next Gem Game pays tribute to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary season, highlighting the G League’s next generation of talent on Ignite and the Charge. The game tips off from the Charge’s home arena, the Wolstein Center, on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. ET, live on NBA TV.
“As basketball fans turn their attention to Cleveland for All-Star 2022 to celebrate the game’s most-prized jewels, we’re thrilled that they’ll also be able to discover some of the world’s most radiant young players in this first-ever Next Gem game,” said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
The Charge feature players Tre Scott and Malik Newman, who have both earned call-ups to the Cleveland Cavaliers this season, while Ignite’s roster includes five players training toward the 2022 NBA Draft, including a pair of ESPN Top 10 recruits from the class of 2021 in Jaden Hardy (No. 2) and Michael Foster Jr. (No. 7), and MarJon Beauchamp and top international stars Dyson Daniels and Fanbo Zeng, as well as 2023 NBA Draft prospect Scoot Henderson.
Click here to purchase tickets for the NBA G League Next Gem game, and visit NBAEvents.com or download the NBA Events App for the latest NBA All-Star news. The NBA Events App is the ultimate on-the-ground resource for everything related to Cleveland All-Star, providing fans with the most up-to-date information on event schedules, tickets and exclusive experiences.
About NBA G League Ignite
NBA G League Ignite is a first-of-its-kind team dedicated to developing top young prospects in preparation for the NBA Draft. Based in Walnut Creek, Calif., the roster includes elite players who are eligible for the NBA Draft as well as NBA and NBA G League veterans who serve as mentors to the team’s young talent. The program focuses on high-level competition and accelerated on-court development for players who are beginning their professional careers. Additionally, the team provides life skills training that includes financial literacy education, community service involvement and scholarship opportunities. While Ignite is not a traditional NBA G League team, competition includes games against NBA G League opponents and exhibitions against international teams.
About the NBA G League
The NBA’s official minor league, the NBA G League prepares players, coaches, officials, trainers and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 29 teams, 28 with direct affiliations to NBA franchises for 2021-22, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. 41 percent of all NBA players at the start of the 2021-22 season boasted NBA G League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA Cares programs.
About NBA All-Star 2022
NBA All-Star 2022 in Cleveland will bring together the most talented and passionate players for a global celebration of the league as the NBA celebrates its 75th anniversary season. The NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. TNT will televise the All-Star Game for the 20th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports’ 37th year of NBA All-Star coverage. Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse will also host NBA Rising Stars on Friday, Feb. 18 and State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, Feb. 19.