5-Star SG Prospect Bryson Warren to Play in Overtime Elite League

Bryson Warren, a 5-star combo guard in the 2023 recruiting class, announced Thursday he's signed a contract with the Overtime Elite league.

Warren, rated as the No. 17 overall prospect in 247Sports' composite rankings for 2023, attracted scholarship offers from several top college basketball programs, including Kansas, Michigan and Texas Tech, before opting for the professional route.

The Link Year Prep (Mo.) standout went on several college visits, including one with the Jayhawks in June, before signing with Overtime Elite.

"I want a program that knows how to get me to the next level, the NBA level," Warren told Jacob Polacheck of Zags Blog after the KU visit. "And help me get better."

Overtime Elite announced in March it was launching a new league for players who wanted to play professionally during the gap year between high school and entering in the NBA draft without having to travel overseas.

OTE commissioner Aaron Ryan told Martenzie Johnson of ESPN's The Undefeated it was a chance to understand the pro lifestyle.

"This offering and opportunity not only gives you pro-caliber training and development in a facility that models and starts to simulate what life will be like in the NBA ... but it also provides a six-figure salary," Ryan said.

Warren (6'2'', 155 pounds) becomes the 20th player to join the Overtime Elite roster.

Ryan explained to Johnson the players will play games within OTE along with exhibitions with American prep schools and foreign clubs.

Warren is a high-upside guard who's showcased impressive ball-handling and distribution skills that project him as a point guard. He's also improved as a shot-maker during his rise to become a 5-star prospect.

He's on a trajectory to eventually become a lottery pick in the NBA, though plenty of development time remains before he reaches that point.