NBA: Bonga before first appearance in the G-League

The G-League starts the new season at the weekend. Isaac Bonga for the South Bay Lakers will also be there this year. SPOX provides you with all information about the G-League and gives you an overview when the German is playing.

In the NBA G-League – formerly the D-League (Development League) – the farm teams of the NBA franchises play in order to provide the young players with time and practice. In the long term, the aim is to ensure that these talents remain in the management of the NBA team in question.

After Isaac Bonga was chosen by the Los Angeles Lakers in position 39 in the draft 2018 and was allowed to play in the preseason in Purple-and-Gold, the German was sent to the South Bay Lakers, the G-League team of the L.A. Lakers, shortly before the start of the new NBA season.

This is nothing unusual for a young player. Bonga, who last season was still active for the Frankfurt Skyliners in the Basketball Bundesliga, will continue to develop in the G-League and gain playing experience in order to make the leap into the NBA team at some point.

Bonga will make his debut in the G-League in the night from Saturday to Sunday in the match against the Stockton Kings. It is to be expected that the German will play an important role in the South Bay Lakers. In the preparation he shone at least with 19 points.

Bonga will initially be the only German in the 2018/19 G-League season. Moritz Wagner has been recalled to the NBA team of the Lakers after a short stopover in El Segundo, where the South Bay Lakers play their home games.

Last season Isaiah Hartenstein collected playing experience in the NBA G-League and I could recommend her for the Houston Rockets in the current season. In addition to Hartenstein, Tim Ohlbrecht and Paul Zipser were also active in the NBA G-League in the past.

Not only young players, but also some NBA veterans have tried to jump (back) into the NBA via the G-League. This season the former Nr.1-Pick Anthony Bennett will start in the G-League for the Agua Caliente Clippers. Brandon Jennings was one of those who made a comeback in the NBA last season thanks to strong performances in the G-League.