Petersburg native Moses Malone pioneered the term “Preps to Pros” in August 1974.

Now former Richmonder Isaiah Todd is a pacesetter in a new option to bypass college basketball and fast break straight from high school to dunking for dollars.

Todd, who led Richmond’s John Marshall High School to the State 3A title in 2018, has declined a scholarship to the University of Michigan to enter the NBA and G-League’s Pathway Program.

The 6-foot-10 forward, who played during the last two seasons in North Carolina, will play the 2020-21 season with a Southern California entry into the G-League, which serves as the NBA’s subsidized minor league.

Joining Todd in this decision is Californian Jalen Green, who has signed for $500,000. Green was headed to either Auburn University or the University of Memphis before choosing cash over classes.

Todd’s contract terms remain undisclosed, but it is reasonable to assume the figures are in the same ritzy financial neighborhood as Green’s.

The Pathway Program was introduced in October 2018, but no high schoolers signed up. At the time, the maximum salary was just $125,000.

In addition to salary, the elite G-Leaguers also may benefit from endorsements and public appearances, which are not allowed by the NCAA.

Also, G-League athletes will have no limitations on polishing their skills and preparing for lucrative NBA pacts.

In college, academics and NCAA regulations limit gym time. The idea is to be paid well — certainly by teenage standards — this year, then really hit the financial upper strata in 2021 as a lottery or high first round NBA draftee.

The question is will other high schoolers follow? Will the crème de la crème of high schoolers opt for Pathway rather than to Big Man On Campus status?

The NBA now requires a prospect to be one year removed from high school and at least 19 years old. A few players in the past have chosen pro teams overseas as another option — a challenging adventure for players so young.

College hoops, with all the TV coverage and adulation, is more glamorous. The Pathway pays better.

Will the likes of Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Trae Young, etc., begin to bypass “one and done” NCAA hoops, meaning they play collegiately as freshmen then enter the NBA?

Of course the governing bodies could nix the entire G-League Pathway project by making high school seniors eligible for the draft, like before 2006. But there has been much foot-dragging in that regard.

In 1974, after leading Petersburg High to consecutive state titles, Malone pulled a shocker by opting out of a University of Maryland scholarship to sign with the ABA Utah Stars for a five-year, $1 million deal.

It certainly worked for Malone. As a rookie, he averaged 19 points and 15 rebounds and was ABA Rookie of the Year. From there, he went on to become one of the NBA’s all-time stars.

Will Todd and Green, the most recent “Preps to Pros,” enjoy similar success on the court and/or at the bank?

If so, look for more and more of the high school elite to pass on a cramped desk in calculus class for a seat in a shiny Mercedes-Benz.