By ADAM ZAGORIA
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. –– Until he lands on a college campus, rumblings will likely swirl that Jalen Green plans to turn professional instead.
The 6-foot-5 guard from Prolific Prep (CA) is the projected No. 3 pick (of the Knicks) in the 2021 NBA Draft, per ESPN.com. He will turn professional eventually, but for now he insists he will spend the 2020-21 season on a college campus.
Somewhere.
“No, I’ve been seeing that and I wanted to let everyone know that’s not an option,” Green said of the pro option after earning MVP honors at the Hoophall Classic following a 26-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist effort in an in a 69-62 win over La Lumiere (IN).
“I’m thinking about college and college only. I’ve been [hearing] that I’m going pro, this and that, no that’s not the case. I’m going to college.”
Here’s Jalen Green: Prolific Prep Star and perhaps the best uncommitted player in the country. Green easily bursts out to the perimeter, sets himself and drills a three. He’s 2-3 tonight from deep. pic.twitter.com/IzASXRi6wi
— Ethan Fuller (@ethman43) January 19, 2020
Green said high school players who opt to go pro do so “if they want to chase the money,” and he instead wants to play in the NCAA Tournament.
“I want to play on a big stage,” he said.
Green says he has no final list of schools but has visited Auburn, Fresno State, Memphis, Oregon and USC and has been linked to those. Memphis assistant Mike Miller was on hand Sunday.
“I don’t really have a specific group of schools,” he said. “I’m really open. I don’t have a top five or nothing.”
Jalen Green puts up a BIG 26 to lead Prolific over La Lumiere 👿@JalenRomande @ProlificPrep @espn #JalenGreen #ProlificPrep #espn #HHClassic pic.twitter.com/OYIwN35yuK
— Who’s Next (@WhosNextHS) January 20, 2020
He reiterated that he plans to commit sometime in March.
“March, sometime after the season,” he said. “It’s not going to be too late after the season. I don’t want to say a certain time but it should be right after the season.”
Green wants to see what players come and go to his college options, who leaves for the NBA and who comes back and what coaches potentially might leave.
“Yeah, like who leaves, who’s getting better, who’s not getting better,” he said. “Things like that.”
JALEN GREEN. Green knocks down a big three-pointer (22 points now) to give Prolific Prep a six-point lead with a minute to go! pic.twitter.com/ONrFfhXyGE
— Ethan Fuller (@ethman43) January 20, 2020
He also can get a chance to see several teams play in the NCAA Tournament.
“I want to see how they coach and stuff, how they play,” he said.
Green says he’s done for visits now and will just watch.
“Nah, I think I’m good on visits,” he said. “I’m just going to watch and see how they play.”
Oregon landed point guard Jalen Terry last week, but Green said that won’t impact him.
“Nah, I don’t really have a problem playing with anybody.,” he said. “If he’s good, I don’t mind it.”
And don’t rule out Fresno State, the hometown school.
“For sure, that would be a good look hometown hero,” he said. “I would love that.”
Photo; Jon Lopez / Nike
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