McDonald’s All American Darius Bazley made history this week as he became the first 5-star prospect to skip college and go straight into the NBA's developmental G-League. It will be an interesting experiment that if successful, could transform the route many top high school prospects take on their journey to the NBA.

Previously, if a U.S. player wanted to play professionally straight out of high school, they needed to go overseas. This was the route for Brandon Jennings and Emmanuel Mudiay. Lonzo Ball's brothers are attempting the same thing, though it is unclear if they will end up being drafted or not.

The benefits

Although Bazley will be playing in the de facto minor league of the NBA, he will not be eligible to be called up to a pro team next season. He still has to wait the full one year after high school according to the current CBA, but he would deal with that no matter where he played next season.

The way Bazley sees it, opting for the G-League over playing at Syracuse, where he originally committed, was a no-brainer. Instead of having to go to classes and deal with the off-court life of a college athlete, Bazley will be surrounded by professionals focusing only on the game.

His salary will be meager, topping out at $26,000, but it is a salary no less. College players still do not get paid, despite the billions of dollars they bring in for the NCAA and their schools.

This again is a no-brainer for a kid who has his sights set on playing in the NBA.

Will this become the new trend?

The next several years will be very telling for the NBA's one and done rule. A rule designed to send star players to college for a season benefited the NCAA greatly. If these players who are merely biding their time before entering the NBA opt for the G-League, the rule may need to change.

It makes sense that playing in the G-League would be a better route to the NBA than a year in college. The television exposure is less, but working directly with NBA scouts and coaches, and competing against other former or aspiring professionals will only help a young athlete make it to the NBA.

The real issue will be if there is an influx of high school players who do this all at once.

It is one thing for a well regarded 5-star prospect to take this route, but there will likely need to be some consideration on a case by case basis to determine if a player is truly qualified.

Otherwise, you might see the next Lavar Ball strong-arming his kids into the NBA through the G-League, instead of Lithuania.
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