According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the G League will follow the NBA’s lead from last summer, playing it’s entire 2021 season in the bubble environment at Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida.
The G League announced that 18 teams, including 17 NBA G League teams and G League Ignite, will take to the court in February. The top eight teams will advance to a single-elimination playoff.
“We worked closely with our teams, the Basketball Players Union, and public health experts to develop a structure that allows our teams to gather at a single site and safely play,” said Shareef Abdur-Rahim, NBA G League President. “We are thrilled to get back to basketball and to fulfill our mission as a critical resource for the NBA in developing players, coaches, referees, athletic trainers and front-office staff,” he added.
The G League suspended its 2019-20 season last March as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic that was announced in June.
NBA teams without a G League affiliate participating in Orlando will have the chance to assign roster players and transfer Two-Way players using the league’s flexible assignment and Two-Way rules.
“Our Cast Members are eager to work with the NBA family again and welcome in the next round of talented basketball players to compete at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex,” said Vice-President of Disney sports, Faron Kelley. “Most importantly Disney and the NBA G League will configure our shared focus on the necessary safety protocols for the well-being of the players, coaches, staff and everyone supporting this event.”
Also playing it’s first games against NBA G League competition on Orlando is Ignite, the recently launched team for elite NBA Draft-eligible players coached by former NBA player and head coach Brian Shaw. Ignite will be eligible to advance to the playoffs at Walt Disney World Resort due to the different circumstances this year.
