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Despite all the complaints about the state of the league this season, the NBA is in good hands.
The league’s youngest stars aren’t just laying the groundwork for the future–they’re already dominating the present. Players early in their careers–many of whom have been YouTube-famous since they were in middle school–are leading their teams to playoff contention, redefining positions, and showing incredible athleticism, skill, and versatility.
This list highlights our top 25 players under the age of 25, taking into account their production so far in the NBA, their leadership, and their long-term potential. We didn’t just base our rankings on the numbers, but also the impact these players have on and off the court. Some players on this list, like Anthony Edwards, have already emerged as franchise cornerstones capable of carrying a team deep into the playoffs. Others, like Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama, have shown flashes of greatness that hint at generational talent.
Please note that this ranking excludes players who are 25 years old as of the publication date. Additionally, Jared McCain has been removed from consideration due to a season-ending injury.
Some of these players are superstars, others are role players, but all will play a key role in shaping the next decade (and beyond) of the NBA. Let’s dive into the best of the best under 25.
Team: Washington Wizards
Age: 19
Sarr, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, had a slow start to his first NBA season. Coming from Australia’s National Basketball League, the Frenchman is a lengthy big man with a promising offensive game that once relied heavily on lobs. Due to his size, Sarr is a defensive darling who can utilize his size to disrupt offenses.
However, those skills took some time to sprout when he joined the league. In his NBA debut, he scored two points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out one assist, and had two blocks—a stat line not fitting for a No. 2 draft pick. Sarr alternated between flashes of brilliance and straight duds throughout his first month in the NBA, but he finally found his footing at the end of 2024.
Sarr went on a tear in December, averaging 13.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 blocks on 45.5% shooting from 3-point range. That heater of a stat line had Sarr named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in December. He also had a 14-game stretch scoring 10 points or more, the most out of any rookie this year.
Sarr has done much of the same in January, bumping his rebound and assist stats as well as improving his shot. There is potential for Sarr to be the top rookie out of his class, and he could eventually become a reliable double-double machine. He just needs to continue trusting his game and letting it come to him. —Mark Elibert
Team: Orlando Magic
Age: 19
The No. 5 pick in the 2021 draft, Suggs—who came to the league by way of Gonzaga—had a rocky start to his NBA career when, as a rookie, he dealt with multiple frustrating injuries. However, it was clear from the jump that he’d be an impactful NBA player because of his two-way abilities.
Suggs’ defensive instincts, lateral quickness, and ability to disrupt opposing guards have turned him into one of the league’s best young perimeter defenders. Last year he made the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team. Suggs has been up-and-down offensively, but he has consistently improved since entering the league and is averaging a career-best 16.4 PPG this season.
With a relentless motor on both ends, Suggs has emerged as a core piece of Orlando’s exciting young core alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Toronto Raptors
Age: 24
Barrett has all the tools to take the reins of a team and become the go-to guy. At Duke, Barrett was part of an incredible one-two combo with Zion Williamson as he showed his versatile scoring, ball-handling ability, and intuitive defense. The New York Knicks drafted Barrett with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and fans saw glimpses of his potential.
At 6’6”, 214 pounds, Barrett is a multi-layered player and has continually refined his skills, making strides in every facet of his game. Despite some shooting inconsistencies through his first four seasons in New York, Barrett has been on a tear since being traded to the Toronto Raptors.
In his second season up north, Barrett is averaging 22.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and shooting 45.9% from the field—similar to the stats he posted while playing for the legendary Coach K at Duke.
If Barrett continues to improve with the Raptors, he’ll be on his way to being a team leader alongside Scottie Barnes, and cement his place as one of the standout players from the 2019 draft class. —Mark Elibert
Team: Houston Rockets
Age: 21
There’s a world where Thompson sits near the very top of this list. In that one, potentially a few years down the line, he’s developed a consistent jumper while leveraging his rim pressure to generate more open looks for his teammates, plays elite multi-positional defense, and averages 25/5/5. In the current one, he stands as a tantalizing prospect who’s already become a key contributor to the No. 3 seed Houston Rockets.
While he’s largely come off the bench, he’s quickly established himself as an impactful two-way force. Unlike most elite run/jump athletes with his size, he blends twitchy burst and vertical lift with hyper-refined movement skills; think Ja Morant or Dwyane Wade. He can slither as easily as he can explode. It’s an omni-directionality that’s made him an opposing team’s most frustrating quandary; he can beat you to the spot, but you can’t stop him from getting to his.
This isn’t just conjecture. Opponents are shooting just 21% and scoring just .55 points per possession against Amen in ISO situations. That’s good for 92nd percentile in the league. Once he’s at the rim, he’s shooting a Peak LeBronian 77%. These contributions help make the Rockets a serious threat. He’s averaging a fairly modest 12.6 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists on a strong 61 TS% right now, but as his volume increases and his skills sharpen, he could find himself on a Jalen Williams-esque trajectory as a devastating scorer with All-NBA defense capabilities. —Peter A. Berry
Team: Dallas Mavericks
Age: 20
Lively exceeded almost everyone’s expectations with his rookie campaign, especially when he played a massive role in the Dallas Mavericks’ run to the 2024 NBA Finals.
After a lukewarm freshman campaign at Duke, Lively was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder and later traded to the Mavs, where he would go on to prove he was more than just a rotational player. In his first NBA game, Lively put up a double-double, scoring 16 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and outplaying the eventual Rookie of the Year Victor Wembenyama. Lively also became the traditional big man and lob threat that Mavs superstar Luka Dončić needed.
According to ESPN, Dončić and Lively had the most alley-oop completions of any duo during the season and playoffs last year. He also proved to be a stellar rim protector, getting a little under 2 blocks a game last year. He finished his rookie campaign with 42 starts, averaging 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in over 23 minutes a game, which earned him a second-team All-Rookie selection.
In his sophomore season, Lively has shown improvement, averaging 9.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. Despite some fans feeling he’s going through a sophomore slump since his scoring average hasn’t increased, Lively’s relentless energy and desire to improve his game show he’ll be a centerpiece for the Mavs. —Mark Elibert
Team: Brooklyn Nets
Age: 23
Contrary to the classic Uncle Drew commercial, the game isn’t all about a bucket. But if it were, Thomas would be a lot higher up this list. As it stands, his penchant for efficient volume scoring lands him a spot here. And let’s be clear: Cam can absolutely fill it up. Dating back to his random 45-point flurries as a Kyrie Irving understudy, his jumper’s high release point and fluorescent internal greenlight have enabled him to rain hellfire upon defenders.
For the last 70 games of his career, he’s averaged 23 points per game on 57% true shooting percentage. For reference, that’s just two points less than Anthony Edwards on the same efficiency over the same period of time. Though he’s only played 19 games, this season Cam’s averaging 24.7 ppg on an excellent 59.6 TS%. So why isn’t he a serious All-Star candidate?
Well, some 30-something games into his fourth season as a Brooklyn Net, Cam has yet to post a positive net rating, as his general lack of tenacity and instincts as a defender have somewhat outweighed his scoring production, and his playmaking ability could use more refinement. If he can become a league-average defender while maintaining his volume and efficiency, Cam will help the Nets win more games as he earns respect as one of the top young bucket-getters in the Association. —Peter A. Berry
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Age: 21
Daniels made his way to the pros through the league’s developmental system, where he gave an impressive showing as a player for the NBA G League Ignite. As a 6’6” guard, the Australian plays both sides of the ball very well, and his awareness was already at an NBA level before making it to the league.
He had two lukewarm seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, the team that drafted him in 2022, but he managed to turn everything around once he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. With the Hawks, Daniels has shown just how good he is as a two-way player. Daniels has a reliable floater that will annoy the opposing team, and he can also handle the rock to the point that he could be a scary pick-and-roll facilitator.
But the best part of Daniels’ game right now is his incredible lockdown defense. Since coming to Atlanta, Daniels can’t keep his hands out of the pockets of other players: he’s averaging a league-leading 3.1 steals a game. In November, Daniels became the first player since Michael Jordan to put up at least 15 points and five steals in four straight games. All that work on defense already has him as an early candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Defense.
Daniels has been a fantastic pickup for the Hawks, with his statline of 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on a 45.3% field goal percentage. He’s already spearheading the team’s defensive onslaught, and if he continues to trust his shot and boost that field goal percentage, Daniels will be a real problem for opposing players in the future. —Mark Elibert
Team: Toronto Raptors
Age: 22
Barnes is the definition of a modern NBA player: positionless, versatile, and able to impact the game in a wide variety of ways. Barnes is averaging 20.4 PPG, 81 RPG, and 6.4 APG this season, though he’s missed time with an ankle injury.
A 23-year-old drafted out of Florida State, Barnes has blossomed into the Raptors’ offensive hub, running the offense as a point forward and showcasing elite court vision.
Defensively, Barnes’ size and athleticism make him a nightmare matchup. At 6’9” with a 7’3” wingspan, he can guard multiple positions and disrupt passing lanes. His leadership on both ends of the floor has been crucial for a young Raptors team trying to find its identity.
His 3-point shooting has been erratic, and continuing to develop consistency from outside will be critical for his long-term growth. Still, his blend of skill, effort, and leadership make him one of the most well-rounded young players in the league. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Houston Rockets
Age: 22
Expectations have long been high for Green, who was considered a can’t-miss prospect in his California high school days. After spending one year playing for the G League Ignite, he went No. 2 overall in 2021.
Few players in the league have Green’s mix of athleticism and scoring instincts. Averaging 21 PPG, Green has developed into one of the go-to offensive weapons for a surprising Houston Rockets team. He’s capable of exploding for big numbers on any given night.
Green’s quick first step and creativity in the lane make him a nightmare for defenders, while his pull-up jumper remains one of his most reliable tools.
Under head coach Ime Udoka, Green has improved as a defender and playmaker. However, his efficiency still leaves room for growth (40% from the field, 30% from three), and improving his shot selection will be imperative to unlocking his full potential.
Green’s game still needs some refinement, but he has the potential to be a superstar. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Charlotte Hornets
Age: 21
Miller hasn’t wasted a second of his time under the bright lights. The 6’7” forward was a beast at Alabama who earned multiple accolades, including SEC Player and Rookie of the Year, and he brought much of that to the NBA.
The No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft made a lot of people forget that he was in his first year with a league-ready skillset that saw him averaging 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists a game for the Charlotte Hornets.
Miller also dropped 184 3-pointers on 37.3% shooting and became the fifth rookie in NBA history to average at least 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 3-pointers in a single season. The only other players who’ve achieved that feat are Allen Iverson, Steph Curry, Luka Dončić, and Anthony Edwards.
Miller is already a serious offensive threat, and he’s shown how much of an elite defender he can be with his athleticism and a long frame that allows him to guard any position. Miller has raised his stats in his second campaign, too, as he’s putting up 21.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists this season and further proving he’s a cornerstone player for the Hornets alongside LaMelo Ball. Putting more work into his strength and defensive skills will position Miller in the NBA superstar category very soon. —Mark Elibert
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Age: 24
What to make of Zion? He entered the league with unprecedented hype after one unforgettable year at Duke (remember the sneaker?), but injuries and struggles with conditioning thwarted the start of his NBA career. That said, he looked absolutely unstoppable when he was able to get on the court, and New Orleans rewarded him with a 5-year, $197 million contract extension in 2022.
He’s been in the spotlight for so long that it’s easy to forget he’s still only 24. When Zion has been healthy, he’s one of the most dominant forces in the league, combining brute strength with incredible agility and explosiveness to overwhelm defenders in the paint. Few players can match Zion’s ability to attack the rim and finish through contact.
During his time in the pros, Zion has gradually taken on more playmaking duties, often initiating the Pelicans’ offense. His ability to collapse defenses opens up opportunities for his teammates, but his lack of a consistent jumper remains a limitation.
Durability continues to be the biggest question mark for Williamson, whose team has greatly struggled this season. But when he’s on the floor, his impact is undeniable. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: OKC Thunder
Age: 22
If Holmgren were to never get better at basketball, he would still be a top-20 player. Without injuries, he might be in the top 10. Before breaking his hip 10 games into this season, he was averaging 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and a steal on about 63 TS%, helping give the Oklahoma City Thunder an astounding 16.6 net rating when he was on the court. It’s not an aberration; he averaged 16 points with 2 blocks and 8 rebounds as a rookie last season.
On the hardwood, he embodies the best sort of Frankensteinian virtuosity. He hits long-range and mid-range jumpers like Dirk Nowitzki. He blocks shots like Dikembe Mutumbo. He creates new possibilities. If it weren’t for Victor Wembanyama, he would be the NBA’s most fantastical unicorn. Chet’s problems have nothing to do with what he can do on the court; instead, they all stem from the fact that he’s hardly ever on it.
After being drafted in 2022, a foot injury sidelined Chet for the entire 2022-2023 season, and a hip injury has limited him to only 10 games this season. Thanks to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic dominance, the Thunder lead the Western Conference with a record of 32-6. When Chet re-enters the lineup, they should sit atop the rest of the league, too. —Peter A. Berry
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 23
The No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft, Mobley has already established himself as one of the best defensive bigs in the league. Anchoring the defense for the surprisingly dominant Cleveland Cavaliers, Mobley is averaging 1.4 blocks, 1.0 steals, and 8.9 rebounds per game, showcasing elite timing and ability to guard in space.
On offense, Mobley’s game continues to expand. He’s up to 18.9 points per game, using improved footwork in the post and a developing mid-range jumper to complement his work around the rim. Playing alongside Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland has also allowed him to thrive as a roll man, where his agility and hands are beautiful assets.
His 3-point shot has greatly improved, too—he now knocks down an impressive 41.6% of his attempts. His two-way impact makes him one of the most valuable young players in the NBA. If his jumper stays consistent, this guy could be special. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Indiana Pacers
Age: 24
Acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Kings in 2022, Haliburton has thrived as the Pacers’ centerpiece. Though he was “distraught” by the move, it’s clear Indiana made the right call, as Haliburton has embraced his role as The Guy.
Haliburton has cemented himself as one of the NBA’s premier young guards, dropping 8.8 APG in addition to 18.1 PPG while shooting 36% from downtown. He’s highly efficient, and his playmaking is second to none–every pass feels perfectly timed, and his ability to read defenses and exploit weaknesses are crucial for Indiana’s offense.
Haliburton has made strides defensively, using his length and instincts to disrupt passing lanes. Still, there’s room for him to grow as an on-ball defender against elite guards. However, his leadership, combined with his ability to deliver in clutch moments, has made the Pacers an annual contender.
Haliburton, who was one of only two under-25 players on this summer’s gold-winning USA Basketball Men’s Olympic Team, is the type of player you build a team around. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Houston Rockets
Age: 21
Şengün’s polished post moves and creative playmaking have earned him comparisons to Nikola Jokic. They’ve got a similar superstar origin story, too. Like Jokic, Şengün was an under-the-radar pick, albeit to a lesser extent, when he was drafted No. 16 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who then flipped him for two first-round draft picks in a trade with the Houston Rockets. Nearly four years later, Şengün has established himself as the NBA’s latest unexpected franchise savior.
This season, Şengün is the fulcrum of the Rockets’ 26-12 record. Along with Jokic, Giannis, Jalen Johnson, and Domantas Sabonis, he’s one of only five players to average over 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. His all-around offensive contributions are a big reason why a young Rockets team boasts a 9.1 net rating when he’s on the hardwood. While he used to be criticized for his weaknesses at the other end, he now stands at the literal center of the league’s third-best defense.
He could increase his scoring volume, and while his efficiency isn’t great (54.5 TS%), Şengün should be a clear-cut All-Star this February. With a strong finish to the season and an equally impactful playoffs, he could rise up these rankings in a major way. After a few post-James Harden years spent in the realm of irrelevance, the Rockets can thank Şengün for taking off. —Peter A. Berry
Team: OKC Thunder
Age: 22
A few things can be true: Williams has seen his scoring efficiency plummet since assuming the role of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s No. 2 option after Chet Holmgren’s injury. There are legitimate concerns about his ability to handle the rock in tight spaces, and there’s now a sizable track record of him somewhat disappearing in big games. But this is also true: OKC has a 22-3 record without Holmgren this season, and Jalen Williams is one of the biggest reasons why.
Standing at a broad-shouldered 6’5” with springy feet, a wide wingspan, and an evolving shot-making package, Jalen has oscillated between capable shot-creator, elite rim protector, and defensive stopper the whole season. Opponents are shooting just 16.7% against Jalen in isolation this season, good for 95.5th percentile in the league. OKC boasts a 12.8 net rating with him in the lineup.
The individual stats are solid, too. While 20.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on 55.8 TS% doesn’t exactly scream second-coming, it’s a strong offensive baseline for an emerging two-way parademon. Of all the players averaging at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, Jalen is the youngest.
Sure, you wish he showed up against the Dallas Mavericks in last year’s Western Conference Semifinals, and he performed another vanishing act against the Boston Celtics earlier this month. But at just 22, Jalen is ahead of schedule, which could include an NBA Finals appearance as soon as this June. —Peter A. Berry
Team: Miami Heat
Age: 24
“My homeboy Tyler, he play in South Beach.”
Herro entered the league so young that it’s hard to believe he’s only 24. Now in his sixth NBA campaign, the Kentucky product has displayed significant improvement this season.
His offensive versatility makes him one of the league’s most dangerous scoring guards. Whether he’s operating as a spot-up shooter, working in isolation, or running pick-and-rolls, Herro continues to find ways to create buckets for himself and his Heat teammates. He’s averaging a career-high 23.6 points per game this season while shooting over 40% from deep.
Herro’s game has matured, and though he’s known for his scoring, his playmaking and rebounding have quietly improved. On a Miami Heat team that thrives on grit, Herro’s smooth offensive game provides a perfect balance. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Detroit Pistons
Age: 22
The No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma State in 2021, Cunningham has everything you want in a franchise player. Standing 6’6” with elite court vision (which he attributes to his days as a quarterback) and poise beyond his years, Cunningham has become the engine for Detroit’s rebuilding effort.
This season, he’s averaging 24.5 PPG, 9.4 APG, and 6.6 RPG. A Texas product who attended Montverde Academy, Cunningham can impact the game in multiple ways, but his leadership and feel for the game are what truly set him apart. Whether he’s running the pick-and-roll or making a defensive play late in the game, he is the cornerstone of his franchise. We’re nitpicking, but decreasing his turnovers (4.6 TO per game this season) is the one area of his game that still needs development.
Detroit’s future is built around Cunningham, and he’s proven he’s up for the challenge—though he’ll need help for the Pistons to challenge the Cavs, Celtics, and other contenders atop the East. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Orlando Magic
Age: 23
When Paolo Banchero was sidelined with an oblique injury at the beginning of the season, the Orlando Magic, at least temporarily, lost a franchise-leading superstar. Then, Wagner proved they had another one. Since Banchero’s injury, Franz has leveled up in a major way, averaging 26.1 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in the 20 games following Banchero’s injury.
His season averages of 28.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists put Franz in elite company; only nine other players have maintained those averages this season, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic. So yeah. Good players. Franz is really good. But the numbers would ring more hollow if they didn’t accompany relative team success—and they have. The Magic went 13-7 while Banchero was down.
Unfortunately, Franz himself has also been lost to injury, as he tore his own oblique on Dec. 6. It’s unclear when he’ll return, but when he does, Banchero will be reunited with a do-it-all wing teammate teams tank for, and the Magic can become serious contenders in the East. —Peter A. Berry
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Age: 23
Maxey is an example of the age-old mantra that good things come to those who wait. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted Maxey’s freshmen season at Kentucky, which led him to declare for the 2020 NBA Draft.
The Philadelphia 76ers selected him with the 21st overall pick, and he got his first start when the team was reduced to the league-minimum eight players on their roster. He dropped 39 points on 18-for-33 shooting in his debut, the most for any Sixers rookie since Allen Iverson, and enough to land him on the coaching staff’s radar.
Maxey spent his second and third seasons steadily improving into a talented core player, proving himself to be a trusted bucket-getter who isn’t afraid of the big moments. The door was busted wide open for Maxey in his fourth season, as he became an NBA All-Star and won the 2023-24 Most Improved Player Award. He even had multiple 50-point games.
If that weren’t enough, Maxey also signed a massive $204 million, 5-year max contract with the Sixers to cap an excellent fourth NBA campaign. Even though the Sixers have struggled as a team this year, Maxey has continued to shine as a starter, averaging 25.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, as well as amassing the most All-Star votes among the Sixers with 246,648. —Mark Elibert
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 24
A five-star high school recruit and Vanderbilt product, Garland has blossomed into one of the most efficient offensive guards in the league. He’s averaging 20.9 points and nearly 7 assists per game, orchestrating a high-powered Cavs offense alongside Donovan Mitchell that has made Cleveland a legitimate contender in the East. That two-headed monster in the backcourt is something serious.
Garland made the All-Star Game in 2022, and that same year, was justly rewarded with a five-year, $231 million contract extension that validated his efforts. Though Garland’s name may not carry the same buzz as some other young stars, his elite ball-handling, court vision, and improved perimeter defense have made him indispensable to Cleveland’s long-term plans. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Charlotte Hornets
Age: 22
LaMelo is the player on this list who looks to be having the most fun on the court, and fans love every minute of it. The Charlotte Hornets star was drafted in 2020 and immediately impacted the team thanks to his improvisational style of play; he attempts things other players wouldn’t dare try to do.
People tune in to see what Ball will do next, from making insane passes to causing defenses to look stupid with his ball-handling to shooting the ball from 30 feet deep. He can also create his own shot on a whim and has shown some moments of excellent defense. As exhilarating as he is, Ball is also a game-changer, as he’s proven with his 2021 Rookie of the Year honors, All-Rookie First Team, and 2022 NBA All-Star selections. He’s also been torching opponents this year, averaging a career-high 29.7 points a game, along with 5.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists.
However, Ball is not perfect, and his flashiness can sometimes get the best of him, like when he’s coughing up multiple turnovers or taking terrible shots. Ball also has an issue with staying healthy; he has yet to play a full season and missed 55 games in the last two combined campaigns. Despite that, Ball is only 23 and has more than enough time to shake out the kinks to be a bona fide superstar. —Mark Elibert
Team: Orlando Magic
Age: 21
Banchero is the versatile big man that every team covets. At Duke, Banchero was a gifted player who earned multiple ACC accolades, such as Rookie of the Year and an All-Team selection. Banchero was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the No. 1 pick and wasted no time showing why he deserved to be selected first.
He’s a bucket-getter and can play any position on the court while being a force on the defensive side of the ball as well. Banchero made a statement in his rookie year, averaging 20 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, and earned the NBA Rookie of the Year and NBA All-Rookie Team honors. He took his game to the next level the following season by improving in nearly every statistical category and becoming an All-Star while also getting the Magic into the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
As gifted as he is, though, Banchero needs to become a better playmaker to fully establish himself in the league. The Magic coaching staff had the big man run the offense several times over the years, and although he was decent at bringing the ball up, he’s much better without having to run point. That’s not to say he can’t be the guy to facilitate the offense, though.
Banchero was having a great season this year, averaging 29 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists a game before tearing his right oblique and missing 34 gamesy. The Magic have kept things together while he was gone, and now that he’s back, they’ll be even more dominant. —Mark Elibert
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Age: 20
Sometimes, things are every bit as good as they appear to be. The Godfather Parts 1 & 2. Beyoncé. Patrick Mahomes. A random waterpark in the middle of a literal desert. You get it. Midway through his sophomore season, you can go ’head and throw Wembanyama on that list. After emerging as the league’s proverbial Next Big Thing as a teenager about four years ago, Wemby has crystallized his status as the NBA’s first or second most singular individual force—a sky-scraping summit of immediate functionality and tantalizing potential that makes terms like “unicorn” feel inadequate.
In 2024-2025, the 7’4” Wemby stands as perhaps the best defender in the entire Association, averaging 3.9 blocks and 1 steal per game. Dating back to the 1984-1985 season, only six other players who played more than a game have reached those thresholds. And only two—Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson—have done so while scoring at least 25 points per game and grabbing over 10 rebounds. Neither of those Hall of Famers did it before the age of 22. Wemby is 20.
The stats—about 26 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, and 1 steal on 61 TS%—are pretty astonishing on their own. Then, you consider the blocks Wemby doesn’t get because players simply say, “fuck that” and abort their mission. Then, you remember that the Spurs are currently holding down the 8th seed slot with a record that would have them firmly in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
Keep in mind that he’ll only improve as a distributor. He’ll only get stronger. He might be a better defender than reigning DPOY Rudy Gobert while also being as good a scorer as Dirk Nowitzki. Those are diametrically opposed basketball archetypes, but he’s got the ability to collapse the distance between the two. That’s Wemby, a Dr. Manhattan-esque matter manipulator with the ability to create championship windows while closing others, all in a fashion we never thought possible. —Peter A. Berry
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Age: 23
Anthony Edwards fits the description for anyone looking for the next face of the NBA. He has the skillset, charisma, and everything else that makes a player the top dog in the league. He is slightly undersized for his position but more than makes up for it with his electrifying play on both sides of the ball.
In his first season, Edwards finished second to LaMelo Ball in Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team for averaging 19.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. He kept the momentum going in his second season by making history several times, such as becoming the youngest NBA player ever with 10 3-pointers in a game and reaching 2,000 career points in fewer games than any player in Timberwolves history.
Edwards helped bring Minnesota to the first round of the NBA Playoffs in his second season and put on a stellar performance against the Memphis Grizzlies. Edwards then became an All-Star in the 2022-23 campaign and put on another incredible performance in the playoffs to further position himself as the “it” guy.
Last year, Edwards went from being an All-Star to an MVP candidate, averaging career highs in multiple statistical categories. He also made All-NBA Second Team and went to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in his career. There was a period when people began comparing him to Michael Jordan, all because of their similar killer instincts and arsenal of moves. Let’s also not forget what Edwards did to Kevin Durant in the first-round playoff series between the Wolves and Phoenix Suns.
In addition to what he did in the league, Edwards impacted the global scene, helping Team USA secure gold at the 2024 Paris Summer Games. This year, it’s much the same, as Edwards is averaging 25.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, with no sign of slowing down in sight. —Mark Elibert
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Despite all the complaints about the state of the league this season, the NBA is in good hands.
The league’s youngest stars aren’t just laying the groundwork for the future–they’re already dominating the present. Players early in their careers–many of whom have been YouTube-famous since they were in middle school–are leading their teams to playoff contention, redefining positions, and showing incredible athleticism, skill, and versatility.
This list highlights our top 25 players under the age of 25, taking into account their production so far in the NBA, their leadership, and their long-term potential. We didn’t just base our rankings on the numbers, but also the impact these players have on and off the court. Some players on this list, like Anthony Edwards, have already emerged as franchise cornerstones capable of carrying a team deep into the playoffs. Others, like Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama, have shown flashes of greatness that hint at generational talent.
Please note that this ranking excludes players who are 25 years old as of the publication date. Additionally, Jared McCain has been removed from consideration due to a season-ending injury.
Some of these players are superstars, others are role players, but all will play a key role in shaping the next decade (and beyond) of the NBA. Let’s dive into the best of the best under 25.
Team: Washington Wizards
Age: 19
Sarr, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, had a slow start to his first NBA season. Coming from Australia’s National Basketball League, the Frenchman is a lengthy big man with a promising offensive game that once relied heavily on lobs. Due to his size, Sarr is a defensive darling who can utilize his size to disrupt offenses.
However, those skills took some time to sprout when he joined the league. In his NBA debut, he scored two points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out one assist, and had two blocks—a stat line not fitting for a No. 2 draft pick. Sarr alternated between flashes of brilliance and straight duds throughout his first month in the NBA, but he finally found his footing at the end of 2024.
Sarr went on a tear in December, averaging 13.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 blocks on 45.5% shooting from 3-point range. That heater of a stat line had Sarr named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in December. He also had a 14-game stretch scoring 10 points or more, the most out of any rookie this year.
Sarr has done much of the same in January, bumping his rebound and assist stats as well as improving his shot. There is potential for Sarr to be the top rookie out of his class, and he could eventually become a reliable double-double machine. He just needs to continue trusting his game and letting it come to him. —Mark Elibert
Team: Orlando Magic
Age: 19
The No. 5 pick in the 2021 draft, Suggs—who came to the league by way of Gonzaga—had a rocky start to his NBA career when, as a rookie, he dealt with multiple frustrating injuries. However, it was clear from the jump that he’d be an impactful NBA player because of his two-way abilities.
Suggs’ defensive instincts, lateral quickness, and ability to disrupt opposing guards have turned him into one of the league’s best young perimeter defenders. Last year he made the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team. Suggs has been up-and-down offensively, but he has consistently improved since entering the league and is averaging a career-best 16.4 PPG this season.
With a relentless motor on both ends, Suggs has emerged as a core piece of Orlando’s exciting young core alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Toronto Raptors
Age: 24
Barrett has all the tools to take the reins of a team and become the go-to guy. At Duke, Barrett was part of an incredible one-two combo with Zion Williamson as he showed his versatile scoring, ball-handling ability, and intuitive defense. The New York Knicks drafted Barrett with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and fans saw glimpses of his potential.
At 6’6”, 214 pounds, Barrett is a multi-layered player and has continually refined his skills, making strides in every facet of his game. Despite some shooting inconsistencies through his first four seasons in New York, Barrett has been on a tear since being traded to the Toronto Raptors.
In his second season up north, Barrett is averaging 22.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and shooting 45.9% from the field—similar to the stats he posted while playing for the legendary Coach K at Duke.
If Barrett continues to improve with the Raptors, he’ll be on his way to being a team leader alongside Scottie Barnes, and cement his place as one of the standout players from the 2019 draft class. —Mark Elibert
Team: Houston Rockets
Age: 21
There’s a world where Thompson sits near the very top of this list. In that one, potentially a few years down the line, he’s developed a consistent jumper while leveraging his rim pressure to generate more open looks for his teammates, plays elite multi-positional defense, and averages 25/5/5. In the current one, he stands as a tantalizing prospect who’s already become a key contributor to the No. 3 seed Houston Rockets.
While he’s largely come off the bench, he’s quickly established himself as an impactful two-way force. Unlike most elite run/jump athletes with his size, he blends twitchy burst and vertical lift with hyper-refined movement skills; think Ja Morant or Dwyane Wade. He can slither as easily as he can explode. It’s an omni-directionality that’s made him an opposing team’s most frustrating quandary; he can beat you to the spot, but you can’t stop him from getting to his.
This isn’t just conjecture. Opponents are shooting just 21% and scoring just .55 points per possession against Amen in ISO situations. That’s good for 92nd percentile in the league. Once he’s at the rim, he’s shooting a Peak LeBronian 77%. These contributions help make the Rockets a serious threat. He’s averaging a fairly modest 12.6 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists on a strong 61 TS% right now, but as his volume increases and his skills sharpen, he could find himself on a Jalen Williams-esque trajectory as a devastating scorer with All-NBA defense capabilities. —Peter A. Berry
Team: Dallas Mavericks
Age: 20
Lively exceeded almost everyone’s expectations with his rookie campaign, especially when he played a massive role in the Dallas Mavericks’ run to the 2024 NBA Finals.
After a lukewarm freshman campaign at Duke, Lively was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder and later traded to the Mavs, where he would go on to prove he was more than just a rotational player. In his first NBA game, Lively put up a double-double, scoring 16 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and outplaying the eventual Rookie of the Year Victor Wembenyama. Lively also became the traditional big man and lob threat that Mavs superstar Luka Dončić needed.
According to ESPN, Dončić and Lively had the most alley-oop completions of any duo during the season and playoffs last year. He also proved to be a stellar rim protector, getting a little under 2 blocks a game last year. He finished his rookie campaign with 42 starts, averaging 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in over 23 minutes a game, which earned him a second-team All-Rookie selection.
In his sophomore season, Lively has shown improvement, averaging 9.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. Despite some fans feeling he’s going through a sophomore slump since his scoring average hasn’t increased, Lively’s relentless energy and desire to improve his game show he’ll be a centerpiece for the Mavs. —Mark Elibert
Team: Brooklyn Nets
Age: 23
Contrary to the classic Uncle Drew commercial, the game isn’t all about a bucket. But if it were, Thomas would be a lot higher up this list. As it stands, his penchant for efficient volume scoring lands him a spot here. And let’s be clear: Cam can absolutely fill it up. Dating back to his random 45-point flurries as a Kyrie Irving understudy, his jumper’s high release point and fluorescent internal greenlight have enabled him to rain hellfire upon defenders.
For the last 70 games of his career, he’s averaged 23 points per game on 57% true shooting percentage. For reference, that’s just two points less than Anthony Edwards on the same efficiency over the same period of time. Though he’s only played 19 games, this season Cam’s averaging 24.7 ppg on an excellent 59.6 TS%. So why isn’t he a serious All-Star candidate?
Well, some 30-something games into his fourth season as a Brooklyn Net, Cam has yet to post a positive net rating, as his general lack of tenacity and instincts as a defender have somewhat outweighed his scoring production, and his playmaking ability could use more refinement. If he can become a league-average defender while maintaining his volume and efficiency, Cam will help the Nets win more games as he earns respect as one of the top young bucket-getters in the Association. —Peter A. Berry
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Age: 21
Daniels made his way to the pros through the league’s developmental system, where he gave an impressive showing as a player for the NBA G League Ignite. As a 6’6” guard, the Australian plays both sides of the ball very well, and his awareness was already at an NBA level before making it to the league.
He had two lukewarm seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, the team that drafted him in 2022, but he managed to turn everything around once he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. With the Hawks, Daniels has shown just how good he is as a two-way player. Daniels has a reliable floater that will annoy the opposing team, and he can also handle the rock to the point that he could be a scary pick-and-roll facilitator.
But the best part of Daniels’ game right now is his incredible lockdown defense. Since coming to Atlanta, Daniels can’t keep his hands out of the pockets of other players: he’s averaging a league-leading 3.1 steals a game. In November, Daniels became the first player since Michael Jordan to put up at least 15 points and five steals in four straight games. All that work on defense already has him as an early candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Defense.
Daniels has been a fantastic pickup for the Hawks, with his statline of 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on a 45.3% field goal percentage. He’s already spearheading the team’s defensive onslaught, and if he continues to trust his shot and boost that field goal percentage, Daniels will be a real problem for opposing players in the future. —Mark Elibert
Team: Toronto Raptors
Age: 22
Barnes is the definition of a modern NBA player: positionless, versatile, and able to impact the game in a wide variety of ways. Barnes is averaging 20.4 PPG, 81 RPG, and 6.4 APG this season, though he’s missed time with an ankle injury.
A 23-year-old drafted out of Florida State, Barnes has blossomed into the Raptors’ offensive hub, running the offense as a point forward and showcasing elite court vision.
Defensively, Barnes’ size and athleticism make him a nightmare matchup. At 6’9” with a 7’3” wingspan, he can guard multiple positions and disrupt passing lanes. His leadership on both ends of the floor has been crucial for a young Raptors team trying to find its identity.
His 3-point shooting has been erratic, and continuing to develop consistency from outside will be critical for his long-term growth. Still, his blend of skill, effort, and leadership make him one of the most well-rounded young players in the league. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Houston Rockets
Age: 22
Expectations have long been high for Green, who was considered a can’t-miss prospect in his California high school days. After spending one year playing for the G League Ignite, he went No. 2 overall in 2021.
Few players in the league have Green’s mix of athleticism and scoring instincts. Averaging 21 PPG, Green has developed into one of the go-to offensive weapons for a surprising Houston Rockets team. He’s capable of exploding for big numbers on any given night.
Green’s quick first step and creativity in the lane make him a nightmare for defenders, while his pull-up jumper remains one of his most reliable tools.
Under head coach Ime Udoka, Green has improved as a defender and playmaker. However, his efficiency still leaves room for growth (40% from the field, 30% from three), and improving his shot selection will be imperative to unlocking his full potential.
Green’s game still needs some refinement, but he has the potential to be a superstar. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Charlotte Hornets
Age: 21
Miller hasn’t wasted a second of his time under the bright lights. The 6’7” forward was a beast at Alabama who earned multiple accolades, including SEC Player and Rookie of the Year, and he brought much of that to the NBA.
The No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft made a lot of people forget that he was in his first year with a league-ready skillset that saw him averaging 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists a game for the Charlotte Hornets.
Miller also dropped 184 3-pointers on 37.3% shooting and became the fifth rookie in NBA history to average at least 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 3-pointers in a single season. The only other players who’ve achieved that feat are Allen Iverson, Steph Curry, Luka Dončić, and Anthony Edwards.
Miller is already a serious offensive threat, and he’s shown how much of an elite defender he can be with his athleticism and a long frame that allows him to guard any position. Miller has raised his stats in his second campaign, too, as he’s putting up 21.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists this season and further proving he’s a cornerstone player for the Hornets alongside LaMelo Ball. Putting more work into his strength and defensive skills will position Miller in the NBA superstar category very soon. —Mark Elibert
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Age: 24
What to make of Zion? He entered the league with unprecedented hype after one unforgettable year at Duke (remember the sneaker?), but injuries and struggles with conditioning thwarted the start of his NBA career. That said, he looked absolutely unstoppable when he was able to get on the court, and New Orleans rewarded him with a 5-year, $197 million contract extension in 2022.
He’s been in the spotlight for so long that it’s easy to forget he’s still only 24. When Zion has been healthy, he’s one of the most dominant forces in the league, combining brute strength with incredible agility and explosiveness to overwhelm defenders in the paint. Few players can match Zion’s ability to attack the rim and finish through contact.
During his time in the pros, Zion has gradually taken on more playmaking duties, often initiating the Pelicans’ offense. His ability to collapse defenses opens up opportunities for his teammates, but his lack of a consistent jumper remains a limitation.
Durability continues to be the biggest question mark for Williamson, whose team has greatly struggled this season. But when he’s on the floor, his impact is undeniable. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: OKC Thunder
Age: 22
If Holmgren were to never get better at basketball, he would still be a top-20 player. Without injuries, he might be in the top 10. Before breaking his hip 10 games into this season, he was averaging 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and a steal on about 63 TS%, helping give the Oklahoma City Thunder an astounding 16.6 net rating when he was on the court. It’s not an aberration; he averaged 16 points with 2 blocks and 8 rebounds as a rookie last season.
On the hardwood, he embodies the best sort of Frankensteinian virtuosity. He hits long-range and mid-range jumpers like Dirk Nowitzki. He blocks shots like Dikembe Mutumbo. He creates new possibilities. If it weren’t for Victor Wembanyama, he would be the NBA’s most fantastical unicorn. Chet’s problems have nothing to do with what he can do on the court; instead, they all stem from the fact that he’s hardly ever on it.
After being drafted in 2022, a foot injury sidelined Chet for the entire 2022-2023 season, and a hip injury has limited him to only 10 games this season. Thanks to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic dominance, the Thunder lead the Western Conference with a record of 32-6. When Chet re-enters the lineup, they should sit atop the rest of the league, too. —Peter A. Berry
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 23
The No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft, Mobley has already established himself as one of the best defensive bigs in the league. Anchoring the defense for the surprisingly dominant Cleveland Cavaliers, Mobley is averaging 1.4 blocks, 1.0 steals, and 8.9 rebounds per game, showcasing elite timing and ability to guard in space.
On offense, Mobley’s game continues to expand. He’s up to 18.9 points per game, using improved footwork in the post and a developing mid-range jumper to complement his work around the rim. Playing alongside Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland has also allowed him to thrive as a roll man, where his agility and hands are beautiful assets.
His 3-point shot has greatly improved, too—he now knocks down an impressive 41.6% of his attempts. His two-way impact makes him one of the most valuable young players in the NBA. If his jumper stays consistent, this guy could be special. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Indiana Pacers
Age: 24
Acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Kings in 2022, Haliburton has thrived as the Pacers’ centerpiece. Though he was “distraught” by the move, it’s clear Indiana made the right call, as Haliburton has embraced his role as The Guy.
Haliburton has cemented himself as one of the NBA’s premier young guards, dropping 8.8 APG in addition to 18.1 PPG while shooting 36% from downtown. He’s highly efficient, and his playmaking is second to none–every pass feels perfectly timed, and his ability to read defenses and exploit weaknesses are crucial for Indiana’s offense.
Haliburton has made strides defensively, using his length and instincts to disrupt passing lanes. Still, there’s room for him to grow as an on-ball defender against elite guards. However, his leadership, combined with his ability to deliver in clutch moments, has made the Pacers an annual contender.
Haliburton, who was one of only two under-25 players on this summer’s gold-winning USA Basketball Men’s Olympic Team, is the type of player you build a team around. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Houston Rockets
Age: 21
Şengün’s polished post moves and creative playmaking have earned him comparisons to Nikola Jokic. They’ve got a similar superstar origin story, too. Like Jokic, Şengün was an under-the-radar pick, albeit to a lesser extent, when he was drafted No. 16 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who then flipped him for two first-round draft picks in a trade with the Houston Rockets. Nearly four years later, Şengün has established himself as the NBA’s latest unexpected franchise savior.
This season, Şengün is the fulcrum of the Rockets’ 26-12 record. Along with Jokic, Giannis, Jalen Johnson, and Domantas Sabonis, he’s one of only five players to average over 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. His all-around offensive contributions are a big reason why a young Rockets team boasts a 9.1 net rating when he’s on the hardwood. While he used to be criticized for his weaknesses at the other end, he now stands at the literal center of the league’s third-best defense.
He could increase his scoring volume, and while his efficiency isn’t great (54.5 TS%), Şengün should be a clear-cut All-Star this February. With a strong finish to the season and an equally impactful playoffs, he could rise up these rankings in a major way. After a few post-James Harden years spent in the realm of irrelevance, the Rockets can thank Şengün for taking off. —Peter A. Berry
Team: OKC Thunder
Age: 22
A few things can be true: Williams has seen his scoring efficiency plummet since assuming the role of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s No. 2 option after Chet Holmgren’s injury. There are legitimate concerns about his ability to handle the rock in tight spaces, and there’s now a sizable track record of him somewhat disappearing in big games. But this is also true: OKC has a 22-3 record without Holmgren this season, and Jalen Williams is one of the biggest reasons why.
Standing at a broad-shouldered 6’5” with springy feet, a wide wingspan, and an evolving shot-making package, Jalen has oscillated between capable shot-creator, elite rim protector, and defensive stopper the whole season. Opponents are shooting just 16.7% against Jalen in isolation this season, good for 95.5th percentile in the league. OKC boasts a 12.8 net rating with him in the lineup.
The individual stats are solid, too. While 20.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on 55.8 TS% doesn’t exactly scream second-coming, it’s a strong offensive baseline for an emerging two-way parademon. Of all the players averaging at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, Jalen is the youngest.
Sure, you wish he showed up against the Dallas Mavericks in last year’s Western Conference Semifinals, and he performed another vanishing act against the Boston Celtics earlier this month. But at just 22, Jalen is ahead of schedule, which could include an NBA Finals appearance as soon as this June. —Peter A. Berry
Team: Miami Heat
Age: 24
“My homeboy Tyler, he play in South Beach.”
Herro entered the league so young that it’s hard to believe he’s only 24. Now in his sixth NBA campaign, the Kentucky product has displayed significant improvement this season.
His offensive versatility makes him one of the league’s most dangerous scoring guards. Whether he’s operating as a spot-up shooter, working in isolation, or running pick-and-rolls, Herro continues to find ways to create buckets for himself and his Heat teammates. He’s averaging a career-high 23.6 points per game this season while shooting over 40% from deep.
Herro’s game has matured, and though he’s known for his scoring, his playmaking and rebounding have quietly improved. On a Miami Heat team that thrives on grit, Herro’s smooth offensive game provides a perfect balance. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Detroit Pistons
Age: 22
The No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma State in 2021, Cunningham has everything you want in a franchise player. Standing 6’6” with elite court vision (which he attributes to his days as a quarterback) and poise beyond his years, Cunningham has become the engine for Detroit’s rebuilding effort.
This season, he’s averaging 24.5 PPG, 9.4 APG, and 6.6 RPG. A Texas product who attended Montverde Academy, Cunningham can impact the game in multiple ways, but his leadership and feel for the game are what truly set him apart. Whether he’s running the pick-and-roll or making a defensive play late in the game, he is the cornerstone of his franchise. We’re nitpicking, but decreasing his turnovers (4.6 TO per game this season) is the one area of his game that still needs development.
Detroit’s future is built around Cunningham, and he’s proven he’s up for the challenge—though he’ll need help for the Pistons to challenge the Cavs, Celtics, and other contenders atop the East. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Orlando Magic
Age: 23
When Paolo Banchero was sidelined with an oblique injury at the beginning of the season, the Orlando Magic, at least temporarily, lost a franchise-leading superstar. Then, Wagner proved they had another one. Since Banchero’s injury, Franz has leveled up in a major way, averaging 26.1 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in the 20 games following Banchero’s injury.
His season averages of 28.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists put Franz in elite company; only nine other players have maintained those averages this season, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic. So yeah. Good players. Franz is really good. But the numbers would ring more hollow if they didn’t accompany relative team success—and they have. The Magic went 13-7 while Banchero was down.
Unfortunately, Franz himself has also been lost to injury, as he tore his own oblique on Dec. 6. It’s unclear when he’ll return, but when he does, Banchero will be reunited with a do-it-all wing teammate teams tank for, and the Magic can become serious contenders in the East. —Peter A. Berry
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Age: 23
Maxey is an example of the age-old mantra that good things come to those who wait. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted Maxey’s freshmen season at Kentucky, which led him to declare for the 2020 NBA Draft.
The Philadelphia 76ers selected him with the 21st overall pick, and he got his first start when the team was reduced to the league-minimum eight players on their roster. He dropped 39 points on 18-for-33 shooting in his debut, the most for any Sixers rookie since Allen Iverson, and enough to land him on the coaching staff’s radar.
Maxey spent his second and third seasons steadily improving into a talented core player, proving himself to be a trusted bucket-getter who isn’t afraid of the big moments. The door was busted wide open for Maxey in his fourth season, as he became an NBA All-Star and won the 2023-24 Most Improved Player Award. He even had multiple 50-point games.
If that weren’t enough, Maxey also signed a massive $204 million, 5-year max contract with the Sixers to cap an excellent fourth NBA campaign. Even though the Sixers have struggled as a team this year, Maxey has continued to shine as a starter, averaging 25.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, as well as amassing the most All-Star votes among the Sixers with 246,648. —Mark Elibert
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 24
A five-star high school recruit and Vanderbilt product, Garland has blossomed into one of the most efficient offensive guards in the league. He’s averaging 20.9 points and nearly 7 assists per game, orchestrating a high-powered Cavs offense alongside Donovan Mitchell that has made Cleveland a legitimate contender in the East. That two-headed monster in the backcourt is something serious.
Garland made the All-Star Game in 2022, and that same year, was justly rewarded with a five-year, $231 million contract extension that validated his efforts. Though Garland’s name may not carry the same buzz as some other young stars, his elite ball-handling, court vision, and improved perimeter defense have made him indispensable to Cleveland’s long-term plans. —Aaron Mansfield
Team: Charlotte Hornets
Age: 22
LaMelo is the player on this list who looks to be having the most fun on the court, and fans love every minute of it. The Charlotte Hornets star was drafted in 2020 and immediately impacted the team thanks to his improvisational style of play; he attempts things other players wouldn’t dare try to do.
People tune in to see what Ball will do next, from making insane passes to causing defenses to look stupid with his ball-handling to shooting the ball from 30 feet deep. He can also create his own shot on a whim and has shown some moments of excellent defense. As exhilarating as he is, Ball is also a game-changer, as he’s proven with his 2021 Rookie of the Year honors, All-Rookie First Team, and 2022 NBA All-Star selections. He’s also been torching opponents this year, averaging a career-high 29.7 points a game, along with 5.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists.
However, Ball is not perfect, and his flashiness can sometimes get the best of him, like when he’s coughing up multiple turnovers or taking terrible shots. Ball also has an issue with staying healthy; he has yet to play a full season and missed 55 games in the last two combined campaigns. Despite that, Ball is only 23 and has more than enough time to shake out the kinks to be a bona fide superstar. —Mark Elibert
Team: Orlando Magic
Age: 21
Banchero is the versatile big man that every team covets. At Duke, Banchero was a gifted player who earned multiple ACC accolades, such as Rookie of the Year and an All-Team selection. Banchero was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the No. 1 pick and wasted no time showing why he deserved to be selected first.
He’s a bucket-getter and can play any position on the court while being a force on the defensive side of the ball as well. Banchero made a statement in his rookie year, averaging 20 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, and earned the NBA Rookie of the Year and NBA All-Rookie Team honors. He took his game to the next level the following season by improving in nearly every statistical category and becoming an All-Star while also getting the Magic into the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
As gifted as he is, though, Banchero needs to become a better playmaker to fully establish himself in the league. The Magic coaching staff had the big man run the offense several times over the years, and although he was decent at bringing the ball up, he’s much better without having to run point. That’s not to say he can’t be the guy to facilitate the offense, though.
Banchero was having a great season this year, averaging 29 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists a game before tearing his right oblique and missing 34 gamesy. The Magic have kept things together while he was gone, and now that he’s back, they’ll be even more dominant. —Mark Elibert
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Age: 20
Sometimes, things are every bit as good as they appear to be. The Godfather Parts 1 & 2. Beyoncé. Patrick Mahomes. A random waterpark in the middle of a literal desert. You get it. Midway through his sophomore season, you can go ’head and throw Wembanyama on that list. After emerging as the league’s proverbial Next Big Thing as a teenager about four years ago, Wemby has crystallized his status as the NBA’s first or second most singular individual force—a sky-scraping summit of immediate functionality and tantalizing potential that makes terms like “unicorn” feel inadequate.
In 2024-2025, the 7’4” Wemby stands as perhaps the best defender in the entire Association, averaging 3.9 blocks and 1 steal per game. Dating back to the 1984-1985 season, only six other players who played more than a game have reached those thresholds. And only two—Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson—have done so while scoring at least 25 points per game and grabbing over 10 rebounds. Neither of those Hall of Famers did it before the age of 22. Wemby is 20.
The stats—about 26 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, and 1 steal on 61 TS%—are pretty astonishing on their own. Then, you consider the blocks Wemby doesn’t get because players simply say, “fuck that” and abort their mission. Then, you remember that the Spurs are currently holding down the 8th seed slot with a record that would have them firmly in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
Keep in mind that he’ll only improve as a distributor. He’ll only get stronger. He might be a better defender than reigning DPOY Rudy Gobert while also being as good a scorer as Dirk Nowitzki. Those are diametrically opposed basketball archetypes, but he’s got the ability to collapse the distance between the two. That’s Wemby, a Dr. Manhattan-esque matter manipulator with the ability to create championship windows while closing others, all in a fashion we never thought possible. —Peter A. Berry
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Age: 23
Anthony Edwards fits the description for anyone looking for the next face of the NBA. He has the skillset, charisma, and everything else that makes a player the top dog in the league. He is slightly undersized for his position but more than makes up for it with his electrifying play on both sides of the ball.
In his first season, Edwards finished second to LaMelo Ball in Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team for averaging 19.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. He kept the momentum going in his second season by making history several times, such as becoming the youngest NBA player ever with 10 3-pointers in a game and reaching 2,000 career points in fewer games than any player in Timberwolves history.
Edwards helped bring Minnesota to the first round of the NBA Playoffs in his second season and put on a stellar performance against the Memphis Grizzlies. Edwards then became an All-Star in the 2022-23 campaign and put on another incredible performance in the playoffs to further position himself as the “it” guy.
Last year, Edwards went from being an All-Star to an MVP candidate, averaging career highs in multiple statistical categories. He also made All-NBA Second Team and went to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in his career. There was a period when people began comparing him to Michael Jordan, all because of their similar killer instincts and arsenal of moves. Let’s also not forget what Edwards did to Kevin Durant in the first-round playoff series between the Wolves and Phoenix Suns.
In addition to what he did in the league, Edwards impacted the global scene, helping Team USA secure gold at the 2024 Paris Summer Games. This year, it’s much the same, as Edwards is averaging 25.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, with no sign of slowing down in sight. —Mark Elibert
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