Daishen Nix opens up about G League decision: "It was the best option for me."

This afternoon, 2020 five-star prospect and No. 1 overall point guard, Daishen Nix, announced he would be decommitting from UCLA and signing a deal with the NBA G League.

Originally committing to UCLA back in August and signing to open the early signing period, Nix will take a deal reportedly worth $300,000 to begin his professional basketball career.

So why is he turning down Mick Cronin and the Bruins in favor of the G League?

The opportunity to play with likeminded five-star talent like Jalen Green and Isaiah Todd – the first two G League signees, who made their decisions official in recent weeks – who all have immediate NBA dreams.

“I thought it was exciting because they reached out to elite players like Jalen and Isaiah Todd and I can play against veterans that want to go to the league,” he said in an interview with Evan Daniels of 247Sports. “It’s a new path, that the G League is setting up for this class.”

In his mind, the G League is “just one step down” from the NBA and will allow for an easy transition to the 2020 NBA Draft.

“Going to the NBA was always a dream for me, and playing for the G League is just one step down and it will help me develop my game for the 2020 Draft,” Nix told 247Sports.

Despite signing with UCLA in November, the five-star guard out of Las Vegas, NV has always felt the G League was a legitimate option, with both parties talking regularly in recent months.

“I’ve always known that going to the G League was an option, but learning more about it and hearing more things about it is why I chose it,” Nix said. “It was best for option for me. … I heard the talks in early November, but over time it just changed my opinion and where I want to go.”

The five-star guard’s decision marks the third former Kentucky target to turn down college, with the three of Nix, Green, and Todd all favoring UK at one point in their recruitments.

Instead, John Calipari backed off of all three – Nix never officially received an offer – in favor of other prospects and/or when it became clear that the professional option was on the table.