For aspiring basketball players and those dedicated to the sport across Chicago, the path to the National Basketball Association (NBA) is often seen as a steep climb. However, a crucial and increasingly vital pipeline exists that is actively shaping the future of professional basketball while simultaneously fostering opportunities for talent from diverse communities like our own: the NBA G League. This official minor league of the NBA serves as a comprehensive proving ground, preparing not only players but also coaches, officials, trainers, and front office staff for the NBA, while also functioning as the league’s very own research and development laboratory, according to information provided by the NBA G League.
The NBA G League, which entered its 24th season in 2024-25, has become an indispensable component of professional basketball. Formerly known as the NBA Development League (D-League), it was rebranded as the NBA G League in 2017 as part of an expanded partnership between the NBA and Gatorade. As detailed by the NBA G League, the 2024-25 season is expected to feature 31 teams, marking a significant milestone as it’s the first time all 30 NBA teams have an owned or operated NBA G League affiliate. For the city of Chicago, this direct connection is solidified through our very own Windy City Bulls, ensuring local talent has a visible and accessible pathway to the highest levels of the game.
The Impact of the NBA G League on Player Development
The influence of the G League on the NBA is undeniable. The league reported that a record 50 percent of players on opening-night NBA rosters for the 2023-24 season had prior NBA G League experience. This statistic underscores the league’s effectiveness not just in assigning players for development, but in identifying and nurturing raw talent. Furthermore, the league has noted that at least 30 NBA G League prospects have been “Called Up” to the NBA in each of the past nine seasons, a testament to its efficacy. A “Call-Up,” as the league defines it, occurs when a player under contract with the NBA G League is signed by an NBA team to an NBA contract. Players like Chicago native and fan favorite Alex Caruso, who honed his skills in the G League, are prime examples of individuals making a significant impact in the NBA.
The route from the G League to the NBA can take various forms. Beyond direct call-ups, the league has seen seven players drafted directly into the NBA from the NBA G League, primarily those who entered professional basketball without college experience or as early entries. These include Mike Taylor (2008), Latavious Williams (2009), and Thanasis Antetokounmpo (2014), who became the first international prospect drafted out of the G League, according to the league’s records. The NBA G League’s now-concluded Ignite program, which the league described as a “first-of-its-kind team dedicated to developing top young prospects in preparation for the NBA Draft,” saw 13 players drafted into the NBA in just four years, including high-profile talents like Jalen Green (2nd pick, 2021) and Jonathan Kuminga (7th pick, 2021). The Chicago Bulls notably drafted Matas Buzelis (11th pick, 2024), who emerged from the Ignite program, further cementing the G League’s direct contribution to our home team’s talent pool.
The NBA G League season itself is a robust affair, with all 31 teams competing in at least 50 games during the 2024-25 season, as stated by the league. The announced structure for the 2024-25 season includes a newly minted 16-game Tip-Off Tournament, which culminates at the NBA G League Winter Showcase presented by The General Insurance. The league describes the Winter Showcase as its annual in-season scouting event, where all teams converge in one city to play in front of NBA general managers and player personnel executives. This event often serves as a key opportunity for players to earn “10-Day Contracts” with NBA teams, providing a temporary but vital foot in the door. Following the tournament, team records reset before a 34-game regular season, leading to the Google Pixel-presented NBA G League Playoffs and the NBA G League Finals presented by YouTube TV in April 2025. The NBA G League regular season is set to begin on November 8, with the 2025 NBA G League Playoffs commencing on April 1, according to the league’s key dates. Fans can watch NBA G League games on ESPN Networks, NBA TV, and NBAGLeague.com, with select games also streamed on the NBA App and through a deal with Tubi for the 2023-24 season, as outlined by the league.
For the Windy City Bulls, being an integral part of this development pipeline means more than just basketball. Their presence offers a chance for local fans, particularly within Black communities across Chicago, to witness professional-level basketball up close at an affordable price, often in a family-friendly atmosphere. It provides tangible role models and examples of perseverance and dedication. Players like Chicago native Alfonzo McKinnie, who shined for the Windy City Bulls before earning NBA opportunities, represent the grit and determination often found in our city’s neighborhoods. McKinnie’s journey, from the West Side’s North Lawndale community to the professional ranks, underscores the league’s potential to provide a platform for local heroes. As he once stated in a previous interview regarding his journey, “I’d been playing basketball for free all my life. To get a check to play, to be a professional, it’s great.”
The structure of the NBA G League is specifically designed for player growth. NBA teams can assign players to their G League affiliates for development or rehabilitation from injury, allowing them to hone skills in a competitive environment while remaining under NBA contract. An “assignment,” as explained by the NBA G League, occurs when an NBA team sends a player to its G League affiliate, with the NBA team retaining exclusive rights to recall that player at any time. The introduction of “Two-Way Contracts” beginning in the 2017 offseason further cemented this connection, allowing teams to roster up to three players who split their time between the NBA and G League, gaining valuable experience without immediately taking up a full NBA roster spot, as the NBA G League explained. The league also noted that players with four or fewer years of NBA service are eligible for these contracts.
Beyond player development, the NBA G League also serves as a critical laboratory for rule changes. The league indicates that it actively uses the G League as a testing ground for new rules each season. Experimental rules, such as the Coach’s Challenge and the 14-second shot clock reset on offensive rebounds, were first tested in the G League before being implemented in the NBA, showcasing its role in shaping the future of the game. Other rule differences, such as the One Free Throw Rule for the first 46 minutes of games and the Transition Take Foul rule, are also implemented in the G League, demonstrating its innovative approach to gameplay.
The NBA G League represents a dynamic and evolving landscape within professional basketball. For Chicago, the Windy City Bulls are not just a team; they are a direct link to the NBA dream, a source of local pride, and a consistent reminder of the vast talent that thrives within our communities, patiently waiting for its opportunity to shine on the biggest stage. As the league continues to grow and innovate, so too will its positive impact on the lives of aspiring athletes and the communities they represent.
For more information on the NBA G League visit The official site of the NBA G League