Top G-League Prospects You Should Know
- Joel Piton
- Aug 17
- 4 min read
Last year's NBA G League season was an exciting one to watch. The number of two-way players with legitmate NBA talent has increased, giving us twice the action each and every night. Overtime, the G League has grown into more than just a stepping stone for players who need development—it’s a proving ground for players who know they deserve more.
Currently, the G League produces two types of pros: the grinders who've either went undrafted or late in the second round and are clawing their way up the ranks, and the bold young talents who skipped college altogether to fast-track their path to the league. From NCAA standouts fine-tuning their games for a second chance to teenagers already displaying NBA-caliber skills, these are the G League prospects you’ll want to know about now—before they’re on the big stage.
Trey Alexander — Birmingham Squadron / New Orleans Pelicans
2024-25 Stats — 26.1 PPG — 5.7 RPG — 5.7 APG — 46.2 FG %
The reigning NBA G League Rookie of the Year has all the makings of a long-term, high-energy piece for New Orleans. The Creighton standout couldn’t crack Denver’s rotation, but in the G League he was a nightmare to guard, torching opponents with 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. Confident from anywhere on the floor, Alexander is a stat sheet stuffer built for the spotlight.
Isaac Jones — Stockton Kings / Sacramento Kings
2024-25 Stats — 21.1 PPG — 10.0 RPG — 2.0 APG — 57.3 FG %
At 6’9", Jones is a walking double-double who made an instant impact every time he stepped on the floor. He powered the Stockton Kings to a G League championship, dominating the paint despite lacking a perimeter game. In just seven minutes of action with Sacramento, Jones played with impressive efficiency—he just needs the chance to prove it over a larger sample size.
David Jones-Garcia — Austin Spurs / San Antonio Spurs
2024-25 Stats — 24.5 PPG — 7.5 RPG — 3.2 APG — 48.4 FG %
Relatively unknown before torching the Summer League and earning All-Summer League First Team honors, Jones was Mexico City’s go-to scorer long before the spotlight found him. The 6’6" forward has a smooth stroke from deep and can heat up in a heartbeat. San Antonio took notice, signing him to a full contract. Now the challenge will be carving out minutes in a stacked Spurs rotation loaded with guards.
RayJ Dennis — Noblesville Boom / Indiana Pacers
2024-25 Stats — 22.1 PPG — 5.9 RPG — 8.7 APG — 44.1 FG %
In his first G League stint, Dennis quietly put together a standout season, averaging 22 points per game and earning All-Rookie honors. He also ranked seventh in assists, dishing nearly nine per night. Slightly undersized but never outmatched, Dennis’s poise and playmaking keep him on pace for an NBA breakthrough. The Pacers appear ready to keep him in the fold and trust his process—for now.
Elijah Harkless — Salt Lake City Stars / Utah Jazz
2024-25 Stats — 26.9 PPG — 5.3 RPG — 4.4 APG — 44.7 FG %
The G League’s scoring champ at 27 points per game, Harkless has proven that putting the ball in the basket will always be his calling card. Since his first stint with the Ontario Clippers in 2023, his game has only grown sharper, pairing natural scoring instincts with improved shot creation. Still early in his pro career, he’s trending toward becoming a dependable rotational piece—and the Jazz seem set on keeping him in the mix this season.
Tolu Smith — Motor City Cruise / Detroit Pistons
2024-25 Stats — 17.9 PPG — 13.6 RPG — 2.3 APG — 65.2 FG %
One of the best rebounders you’ve probably never heard of, Smith finished third in the league with 13.6 boards per game. He’s also a highly efficient back-to-the-basket scorer, hitting well over 60% from the field. In his lone NBA appearance, he posted 14 points and 8 rebounds, making an immediate impact. The Pistons clearly want a longer look, and Smith has the tools to carve out a regular rotation spot.
Armando Bacot — Memphis Hustle
2024-25 Stats — 18.2 PPG — 9.5 RPG — 2.2 APG — 47.6 FG %
After a long and decorated career at North Carolina, Bacot is still waiting for his first NBA minutes. At 6’10, he’s a glass-cleaning big who protects the rim, dominates the boards, and thrives in the paint. The challenge? The league is already loaded with players who share that exact skill set. If Bacot can add a reliable jumper to his arsenal, there’s no reason he can’t carve out a long, productive career.
Do you want me to run through all your blurbs at the end and make sure they’re perfectly uniform in style and tone? That would make the “Rising G-League Stars” piece feel really polished.
JD Davidson — Rio Grande Valley Vipers / Houston Rockets
2024-25 Stats — 25.1 PPG — 5.2 RPG — 7.5 APG — 48.0 FG %
For three seasons, Davison spent most of his time warming the Celtics’ bench, but in the G League, he looked like an entirely different player. The league’s MVP averaged 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, flashing shades of Derrick Rose with high-flying dunks, reverse layups, and quick-fire dimes. Now signed with Houston, if he can turn his 5 minutes per game in Boston into real rotation minutes, we might be on the verge of seeing something special.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Whether they've taken the scenic route and have been grinding in the G League for years, or are immediately blazing a trail to the NBA as we watch, these upcoming standouts are proving there’s more than one path to the glory. The only question now is—which one of these guys is next in line?
Can’t keep up with all the offseason buzz? Stay locked in to Sportz Nation for your sports coverage!
Thanks for reading!
Joel Piton
Comments