Top NBA Players 25 Or Under This Season
Updated: Jan 24
These NBA stars are definitely making some noise and will takeover the league
Honorable Mentions
Paolo Banchero(21 years old)
In just his second season, Banchero has already gotten the Orlando Magic in a better position than they were in his rookie season. In his rookie year, they finished 13th in the Eastern Conference. Currently, the Magic are in play-in territory. He's definitely a future all-star in the NBA. This season he's averaging 22.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 45% from the field. If Banchero continues to do what he's currently doing, the Orlando Magic will make some noise in the Eastern Conference
Scottie Barnes(22 years old)
Going into his third season, Barnes is currently averaging 20.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 48% from the field and 37% from three. The Toronto Raptors may not be in the best position right now when it comes to the standings, but they are currently in rebuild mode with Barnes as their next top star. In just a couple Scottie Barnes can be an all-star player.
Cade Cunningham(22 years old)
Unfortunately, the Detroit Pistons are the worst team in the NBA which does make his stats look empty. This season the 22-year-old is averaging 22.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.3 assists on 44% from the field. The field goal percentage may not be the best, but when you're the main scorer on the team and no one else can create their own shot, you'll have to force a couple of shots.
Alperen Sengun(21 years old)
Sengun is the best player on the Rockets right now and his stats show it too. 21.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists shooting 53% from the field. His stats have even gotten him all-star votes this season. He may not make the all-star team this year, but two more improving seasons and he can find himself being an all-star player.
Zion Williamson(23 years old)
The only reason why he misses this list is because this season he has regressed a bit. This season Zion is averaging 21.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals shooting 58% from the field. The New Orleans Pelicans are not doing too bad this season, but the fact that Zion is averaging fewer points and rebounds than any other season does not help him. He will eventually get it together and turn into the beast that he was hyped up to be.
5. Tyrese Maxey(23 years old)
The favorite for most improved player so far, Maxey has shown that he is a great second-scoring option for the 76ers. He's currently averaging 26.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists on 45% from the field and 38% from three. He's had a 50-point game this season which is also his career high. Maxey is helping the 76ers stay on top of the East as the third seed. It's no surprise that Maxey is 5th in Eastern Conference guards in the all-star voting. He is a future star in the NBA and is a great second option for Joel Embiid.
4. Tyrese Haliburton(23 years old)
He has turned the Indiana Pacers around this season. Before the In-Season Tournament, the Pacers were one of the top teams in the East. They have fallen down to the seventh seed since the tournament ended, but that doesn't mean Haliburton isn't good. Quite the opposite. Tyrese Haliburton is currently averaging 23.6 points, 12.5 assists(league high), 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 steals shooting 49% from the field and 40% from three.
Haliburton is a talented passer. What makes his assist numbers more impressive is that he's only averaging 2.6 turnovers per game. Out of the 33 games he's played so far this season, five of those games he had single-digit assists and only one of them was under five assists. He had two straight games where he recorded 20 points and 20 assists.
3. Anthony Edwards(22 years old)
This man has brought the Minnesota Timberwolves into relevancy. The Timberwolves are currently first in the West, and it is mainly due to Ant-Man. He's Currently averaging 26.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.3 steals shooting 46% from the field and 38% from three. Not only is he a fierce competitor, but he has shown he can carry a team on his back. We all know how bad the Timberwolves usually are and the fact Ant has kept them at the top of the Western Conference for the past couple of weeks says a lot about how great of a player he is. He's a superstar in the NBA for sure.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander(25 years old)
Just barely making the list, Shai is definitely the second best young player(25 or under) in the NBA. He's currently third in the MVP race and for good reason. Shai is currently averaging 31.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.3 steals(league high) on 55% from the field. He has made the Oklahoma City Thunder into a dangerous threat in the West. Future deep playoff runs are looking plausible for this team and it's thanks to his level of play. The Thunder really did win the trade.
1. Luka Doncic(24 years old)
Not only is Luka the best young star in the NBA, but he is also the best point guard in the NBA. Although the Mavericks are in the middle of the pack in the Western Conference, Luka is still averaging video game numbers. 33.6 points, 8.3 assists, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals on 48% from the field and 37% from three. Each day it seems like Luka makes NBA history. Luka Doncic cannot be stopped and it's only a matter of time until he wins the MVP award. The Mavericks are a much better team this year and Luka continues to improve his game as well.
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