G League Ignite add Amir Johnson, 4 other vets to mentor select team

The new G League Ignite franchise has signed five veteran players to its inaugural roster, the league announced Thursday.

Supporting the development of the team's elite prospects - which includes Jalen Green, the top-ranked recruit in the 2020 class - are Amir Johnson, Bobby Brown, Reggie Hearn, Brandon Ashley, and Cody Demps.

“Their professional experience will enable them to help our coaching staff develop a culture that will be beneficial to their younger teammates as they work towards their professional careers,” Ignite coach Brian Shaw said in a statement.

Johnson, the group's biggest name, played 870 regular-season games between 2005-19, predominantly with the Toronto Raptors from 2009-15.

Brown appeared in 158 games between 2008-18 and has a considerable degree of overseas experience.

Hearn, Ashley, and Demps have largely plied their trade at the G League level.

With the Ignite offering an alternative to the collegiate basketball system for players who aren't yet eligible for the NBA draft, a number of big-name talents have already elected to forgo the NCAA to join the developmental circuit. Those ranked on the 2020 ESPN 100 include:

Also in the mix is 6-foot-10 forward Princepal Singh, a product of the NBA Academy systems in Indian and Australia.