Top 10 Players Under 25-years-old

NBA Teams are always looking to the future and trying to build their franchises on the backs of young superstars. I am going to rank the best ten players under the age of 25 based on their current production not on how good I think their future will be. So before anyone gets heated that Zion Williamson is not in my top-3 it is because I am ranking based on current talent and achievements.

  1. The best player under-25 is Luka Doncic. The slick Guard from Slovenia has taken the NBA by storm. Many uncertainties were surrounding Doncic during the 2018 NBA draft, but he has shut down all those critics and has already proven that he is a franchise player and a generational talent. In his first season, Doncic showed why he was a top-3 pick by winning ROTY. in his second season, at just 21 years old, Doncic was selected as an All-star starter and early in the season was in the MVP race. His rapid development can be credited to numerous things: his experience playing against professionals overseas, having a great coach who knows how to develop talent, and the body type to be a generational star in the NBA. At 6’7” Doncic can use his size and ability to create space with his dribble to rise above defenders and shoot quality jump shots that would be otherwise contested for players who do not possess his space creation ability. In year two, Doncic has improved his ability to finish inside and has raised his offensive game to another level. He is almost averaging a triple-double at 29 ppg, 9 rebs, and 9 assists. The Mavericks struck gold with a generational talent and it will be interesting to see where Doncic’s game goes from here and how it will shape the Mavericks’ future.

This list was only supposed to be ten players but I want to give an honorable mention to Miami Heat Forward, Bam Adebayo. The young big man had a breakout season in 2019–2020. Alongside Jimmy Butler, he led a young Miami team to a top-5 record in the Eastern Conference. I think it is safe to say that nobody saw this big of an improvement from Adebayo. He made a great case for Most Improved Player this season improving from 9 points per game to 16 and 7 rebounds to 11. His statistics don’t tell the whole story, Adebayo’s motor is unmatched and his agility at that size allows for versatility on defense. He can guard any position on the floor, and with his length, he did a great job containing Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Heat’s matchups with the Milwaukee Bucks this season. Adebayo is such a great player to have on a team because he is unselfish on both sides of the ball, he does not care about statistics but just wants to contribute as much as he can to help his squad get the win. It will be interesting to see how he refines his offensive game as he matures in the NBA. I see a bright future with Bam Adebayo.

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Sports writer at the Daily Emerald. Journalism student at the University of Oregon. NBA fan and writer.

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Aaron Heisen

Sports writer at the Daily Emerald. Journalism student at the University of Oregon. NBA fan and writer.