G League Ignite: How each draft prospect performed in their debut on Wednesday

Potential No. 1 pick Ron Holland made his professional debut on Wednesday and led the G League Ignite to a win over the Perth Wildcats in a preseason matchup in Henderson, Nevada.

Much like when they faced Metropolitans 92 last year, the Ignite are once again beginning their season against an international opponent. This time, they are facing the Wildcats of the NBL for a two-game series with the second contest to be played on Friday (9 p.m. EDT, NBA TV).

Holland led all scorers with 23 points, five rebounds, three steals, one assist and one blocked shot in the 124-105 victory. He went 9-of-13 from the field and looked to be comfortable pulling up from all over the court throughout the contest.

Holland is among several prospects that hit the court on Wednesday, including Izan Almansa, Matas Buzelis, Thierry Darlan, Dink Pate, Babacar Sane, Alexandre Sarr and Tyler Smith. With the exception of Pate, who is draft-eligible in 2025, each player is projected to be drafted next year.

Here is how each player performed on Wednesday.

Izan Almansa, Ignite

Along with Holland and Buzelis, Almansa is considered a lock to be a first-round pick next year. He wasted no time getting started with the Ignite, producing 14 points, eight rebounds, three steals, three assists and one block in 27 minutes. He played with a ton of energy and was often the first to any loose ball. He showed great defensive instincts and ran the floor well on offense. Almansa may not be a household name yet but the Spaniard has the potential to change that this season.

Matas Buzelis, Ignite

Buzelis produced 16 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 27 minutes of action. The 6-foot-10 forward showed off his array of moves on offense and was effective in getting into the paint and finishing at the rim. He even stepped back and knocked down a corner 3-pointer. In other words: Buzelis showed precisely why he was rated a consensus five-star prospect.

Babacar Sane, Ignite

Sane started off his second season with the Ignite by recording 15 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes. He looked to be improved in a number of areas, including his ballhandling and defensive activity. He has also packed on some size and is currently listed at 233 pounds, up from 219 pounds last season.

The 6-foot-6 guard is currently projected to be a second-round pick but will have the opportunity to improve that position throughout the year with the Ignite. The team is certainly headlined by Holland, Buzelis and Almansa but Sane has the potential to also be one of the top prospects on what is perhaps the Ignite’s most talented roster yet.

Alexandre Sarr, Wildcats

The projected first-round pick recorded 17 points, seven rebounds, six blocks, one assist and one steal for the Wildcats. He was efficient from the field and was tremendous as a help-side defender after swatting six shots. His length proved to be a problem for the Ignite and that ability should be on display throughout the year in the NBL.

Tyler Smith, Ignite

Smith, who spent the past two seasons with Overtime Elite, also debuted with the Ignite on Wednesday, recording 15 points, four steals, three rebounds, two blocks and one assist. He showed off his potential on both ends of the court, especially on defense with his awareness and instincts. The 6-foot-10 forward had a productive first showing with the Ignite and will be looking to keep it going on Friday against the Wildcats.

Others

The Ignite roster also features other future draft prospects in Darlan, London Johnson and Pate. Johnson finished with eight points, six assists and three rebounds. Darlan is reportedly dealing with an ankle injury that will likely sideline him until the start of the regular season on Nov. 10. Pate, who is draft-eligible in 2025, was also a scratch from the lineup on Wednesday.

Story originally appeared on Rookie Wire