The Australian National Basketball League has formalized a rule that should make it much easier for future prospects to forgo college and develop in Australia instead.

Terrance Ferguson, the No. 11 high school recruit in 2016, signed with the Adelaide 36ers instead of being a one-and-done in college and was drafted by the Thunder in 2017 with the No. 21 overall pick.

Sources told ESPN those players will be paid 100,000 Australian dollars gross guaranteed (approximately $78,000 U.S.), funded directly by the league.

"Unlike other countries where players and agents deal with clubs, the NBL will directly contract the players," NBL owner and executive chairman Larry Kestelman said in a release provided exclusively to ESPN. "We will make sure the players get the development they need as part of the program with our clubs, giving them the best chance of success.

"The NBL provides strong visibility back to the U.S. Our league is closest to the NBA in terms of style of play and game day presentation. We will work to build a program to provide the right access to NBA teams and scouts alike."