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At just 16, five-star rookie Jalen Lewis will become the youngest professional basketball player in American history after signing with the Overtime Elite League, according to Athleticism.
The rising high school student chose the league owned by sports media company Overtime over universities such as Kentucky, Duke, UCLA and Michigan.
“Jalen is one of the most exciting young talents in the country, and we are honored that he has chosen Overtime Elite to elevate his professional development in the field and academically, while building his brand internationally,” Brandon Williams , OTE executive vice president and head of basketball operations, said in a statement. “It is a fundamental signature for our league and another recognition of the need and the desire for our program.”
Lewis, ESPN’s No.2 Class of 2023 prospect, will earn more than $ 1 million on a multi-year contract with OTE. He currently plays at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, California. He is listed as a 6-foot-8, 215-pound center with a seven-foot wingspan.
In addition to the payment, the league offers health and disability insurance and sets aside $ 100,000 in college scholarships for players who do not wish to play basketball professionally. The only downside to joining Overtime Elite is that Lewis won’t be eligible to play at a college level, nor will he be able to continue competing at the high school level, according to the New York Times.
The newly formed league is trying to compete with the G-League and NCAA as another way for young players to gain valuable professional experience while making money.
Lewis isn’t the only high school player to join. The elite previously announced the signings of five-star prospects Amen and Ausar Thompson, Matthew and Ryan Bewley and Jean Montero of Spain.
The team will be led by former UConn coach Kevin Ollie, who led the Huskies to a national championship in 2014. Ollie sees Lewis’ potential and believes he will be a great addition to the team.
“I would describe Jalen as an absolute difference maker, a rare talent, with a combination of size, athleticism, good hands and ball skills that impact games on both sides of the court,” he said. -he declares. “There is no limit to what he will be able to do in his career and thanks to Overtime Elite he will have the resources in place to help him achieve his dreams.
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