NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing 2020 guard Keon Johnson’s options

Jalen Green could skip college and play overseas

Consensus 2020 five-star Jalen Green could join an ever-growing number of players skipping college basketball opting to go abroad instead. While several programs, such as Memphis and Kentucky, are in hot pursuit of the 6-5 guard, he told Evan Daniels of 247Sports that he has not ruled out the possibility of playing overseas next year.

"“It all depends, really. I think I want to go to college to be honest with you. They’re starting their own little trend going overseas, and if it’s the right move ill make it, but right now I’m focused on going to college.”"

Green just finished up competing with the USA U19 team at the FIBA World Cup in Greece. The 17-year-old shooting guard struggled in USA’s 93-79 gold medal victory over Mali on Sunday as he missed all four of his shots, including both of his 3-point attempts, to finish with one point (1-4 FT) along with one steal and one assist in 17 minutes of action.  Still, Green had a solid tournament overall — averaging 10.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals while shooting 39.6% from the field and 20.6% from long distance.

If Green does skip college to play overseas, he would be the fourth high school player to do so over the last two years with R.J. Hampton and LaMelo Ball doing so this year.