The Best 25-and-Under NBA Players, Ranked

These young stars have the potential to join the game’s elite.

The Best 25-and-Under NBA Players, Ranked

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks against the Portland Trail Blazers in 2018.

Today's NBA has many big-name stars from LeBron James to Stephen Curry.

But a new, young generation of up-and-comers are primed to take over the league. They are age 25 and under.

Some of them already have become household names. Others are on their way. All of them are making an impact on their teams and have tremendous upsides.

These are the top 25-and-under players ready to take their skills to the next level and join the game’s elite.

Stats are updated through March 3, 2019.

Honorable Mention: Kristaps Porzingis

Position: Power forward

Team: Dallas Mavericks

Born: Aug. 2, 1995

Birthplace: Ventspils, Latvia

Age: 23

Drafted: 2015, first round, fourth pick by the New York Knicks

Experience: 3 seasons (2015-present)

Career stats: 17.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.3 apg, 2 bpg

Bottom line: When Kristaps Porzingis is healthy, he is one of the smoothest big men in the game, possessing a sweet shooting touch like Dirk Nowitzki and fundamental footwork.

A pairing with Luka Doncic could make the Mavericks a Western Conference force for years to come.

#25: Andre Drummond

Position: Center

Team: Detroit Pistons

Born: Aug. 10, 1993

Location: Mount Vernon, N.Y.

Age: 25

Drafted: 2012, first round, ninth pick by the Detroit Pistons, out of Connecticut

Experience: 6 seasons (2012-present)

Career stats: 14.0 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 1.5 bpg

Bottom line: Andre Drummond makes the biggest impact with his screen-setting and ferocious rebounding ability.

He also can finish strong down low and is a terror in the paint, blocking shots.

#24: D’Angelo Russell

Position: Point guard

Team: Brooklyn Nets

Born: Feb. 23, 1996

Location: Louisville, Ky.

Age: 23

Drafted: 2015, first round, second pick by the Los Angeles Lakers, out of Ohio State

Experience: 3 seasons (2015-present)

Career stats: 16.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.9 apg

Bottom line: D’Angelo Russell has broken out of his shell since being traded from the Lakers in 2017.

Russell always has been a top-notch scorer and will continue to be one.

Now, he has become a more complete player with his passing numbers blooming.

#23: Aaron Gordon

Position: Power forward

Team: Orlando Magic

Born: Sept. 16, 1995

Location: San Jose, Calif.

Age: 23

Drafted: 2014, first round, fourth pick by the Orlando Magic, out of Arizona

Experience: 4 seasons (2014-present)

Career stats: 12.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.1 apg

Bottom line: Aaron Gordon is a big part of the Magic with his scoring and rebounding.

And his athleticism is better than most forwards in the NBA.

But he needs to improve his playmaking skills to develop the full all-around game that could make him a bona fide star.

#22: Lauri Markkanen

Position: Power forward

Team: Chicago Bulls

Born: May 22, 1997

Location: Vantaa, Finland

Age: 21

Drafted: 2017, first round, seventh pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, out of Arizona

Experience: 1 season (2017-present)

Career stats: 16.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.3 apg

Bottom line: Lauri Markkanen has a lot of skills for a 7-footer. He can finish in the post, stretch the floor with his 3-point shot and rebound.

However, his impact on the floor has not helped produce wins for Chicago yet, but he has the potential to become a great player.

#21: Caris LeVert

Position: Small forward

Team: Brooklyn Nets

Born: Aug. 25, 1994

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Age: 24

Drafted: 2016, first round, 20th pick by the Indiana Pacers, out of Michigan

Experience: 2 seasons (2016-present)

Career stats: 11.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.3 apg

Bottom line: Caris LeVert is one of the key cogs for a Nets team that is exceeding expectations.

His scoring and playmaking abilities are his strengths.

At 6-foot-7, he also has the potential to become a solid defender with his length and ability to contest shots.

#20: Myles Turner

Position: Center

Team: Indiana Pacers

Born: March 24, 1996

Location: Bedford, Texas

Age: 22

Drafted: 2015, first round, 11th pick by the Indiana Pacers, out of Texas

Experience: 3 seasons (2015-present)

Career stats: 12.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.2 bpg

Bottom line: Myles Turner has become one of the most underrated centers in the NBA, but he still has some ways to go to become one of the best big men in the league.

Turner has terrific defensive instincts and can shoot from the perimeter. If he keeps raising his game, he could be a game changer at both sides of the floor.

#19: Pascal Siakam

Position: Power forward

Team: Toronto Raptors

Born: April 2, 1994

Location: Douala, Cameroon

Age: 24

Drafted: 2016, first round, 27th pick by the Toronto Raptors, out of New Mexico State

Experience: 2 years (2016-present)

Career stats: 9.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.8 apg

Bottom line: Pascal Siakam has improved every part of his game.

His scoring average has gone up from 7.3 points per game in 2017-18 to 16.3 points in 2018-19, and he is grabbing also twice as many boards (7.0 from 4.5)

His 6-foot-9 frame also provides tremendous versatile defensive ability and makes him a serious player to watch.

#18: Clint Capela

Position: Center

Team: Houston Rockets

Born: May 18, 1994

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Age: 24

Drafted: 2014, first round, 25th pick by the Houston Rockets

Experience: 4 years (2014-present)

Career stats: 11.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.4 bpg

Bottom line: Clint Capela has been the anchor and last line of defense for the Rockets the past few seasons.

On the offensive end, Capela has been the lob threat and inside presence Houston needs, due to their obsession with 3-point shots.

Expect him to get better in all areas.

#17: Jusuf Nurkic

Position: Center

Team: Portland Trail Blazers

Born: Aug. 23, 1994

Location: Zivinice, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Age: 24

Drafted: 2014, first round, 16th pick by the Chicago Bulls

Experience: 4 seasons (2014-present)

Career stats: 11.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.3 bpg

Bottom line: Jusuf Nurkic is more than a big body for the Blazers. He gives Portland an inside presence that rivals teams such as Oklahoma City with Steven Adams or the Denver Nuggets with Nikola Jokic.

Nurkic provides the necessary rim protection if his teammates get beat off the dribble. Playing with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum also should provide a boost to Nurkic's overall game.

#16: Kyle Kuzma

Position: Power forward

Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Born: July 24, 1995

Location: Flint, Mich.

Age: 23

Drafted: 2017, first round, 27th pick by the Brooklyn Nets, out of Utah

Experience: 1 year (2017-present)

Career stats: 17.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.1 apg

Bottom line: Kyle Kuzma has improved from his surprising rookie campaign. He has gotten stronger, which has helped him take contact more easily and draw fouls on opposing defenses.

He is a big scoring option on the Los Angeles Lakers after LeBron James.

Kuzma's rebounding also has improved, and he should continue to develop with the guidance of James.

#15: Zach LaVine

Position: Guard

Team: Chicago Bulls

Born: March 10, 1995

Location: Renton, Wash.

Age: 23

Drafted: 2014, first round, 13th pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, out of UCLA

Experience: 4 seasons (2014-present)

Career stats: 15.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.5 apg

Bottom line: Zach LaVine is one of the more explosive talents in the NBA. This can be seen in the scoring department, where's averaging over 23 points in the 2018-19 season.

What makes this development most impressive is that he's coming back from an ACL tear.

The Bulls' attempt to rebuild their roster has overshadowed the two-time slam dunk champion's career year , but the sky's the limit for LaVine.

#14: Bradley Beal

Position: Shooting guard

Team: Washington Wizards

Born: June 28, 1993

Location: St. Louis, Mo.

Age: 25

Drafted: 2012, first round, third pick by the Washington Wizards, out of Florida

Experience: 6 seasons (2012-present)

Career stats: 19.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.7 apg

Bottom line: Bradley Beal can score at will, averaging over 25 points per game in the 2018-19 season. His ability to create space with the dribble is second to none.

Additionally, he has become a better passer. And since John Wall went down to injury, Beal has become more assertive.

Every year, Beal's game has improved, and now he is one of the league’s top shooting guards.

#13: De’Aaron Fox

Position: Point guard

Team: Sacramento Kings

Born: Dec. 20, 1997

Location: New Orleans, La.

Age: 21

Drafted: 2017, first round, fifth pick by the Sacramento Kings, out of Kentucky

Experience: 1 season (2017-present)

Career stats: 14.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 5.7 apg

Bottom line: De’Aaron Fox has improved in the scoring and passing statistical categories. His overall feel for the game is developing, and he is learning how to change speed better.

With Fox’s speed, he is one of the most dangerous players in transition.

Fox looks to have total command of the Sacramento Kings' offense and is one of the game’s bright young point guards.

#12: Karl-Anthony Towns

Position: Center

Team: Minnesota Timberwolves

Born: Nov. 15, 1995

Location: Piscataway, N.J.

Age: 23

Drafted: 2015, first round, first pick by theMinnesota Timberwolves, out of Kentucky

Experience: 3 seasons (2015-present)

Career stats: 22.0 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 1.5 bpg

Bottom line: Karl-Anthony Towns is a force on the block. His plethora of low-post moves make him a tough center to defend.

In addition to his post moves, he can stretch the floor all the way out to the 3-point line.

He still has room to grow, but he already is one of the best big men in the Association.

#11: Devin Booker

Position: Shooting guard

Team: Phoenix Suns

Born: Oct. 30, 1996

Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.

Age: 22

Drafted: 2015, first round, 13th pick to the Phoenix Suns, out of Kentucky

Experience: 3 seasons (2015-present)

Career stats: 20.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.1 apg

Bottom line: Devin Booker still remains the Suns’ brightest hope of turning into a playoff team. Booker and rookie Deandre Ayton are the centerpieces of a franchise working to turn it around.

Booker, for his part, is turning into one of the best offensive guards in the NBA with an assortment of moves that get stronger with experience. As he hones his passing skills, opposing teams better beware.

#10: Luka Doncic

Position: Shooting guard

Team: Dallas Mavericks

Born: Feb. 28, 1999

Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia

Age: 19

Drafted: 2018, first round, third pick by the Atlanta Hawks

Experience: Rookie (2018-present)

Career stats: 21.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 5.6 apg

Bottom line: The Slovenian rookie has taken the NBA by storm with his captivating performances in the clutch.

His step-back jumper has become a staple of his game, and he has the passing ability of a point guard.

The future looks bright for Dallas with Doncic receiving the torch from Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, and paired with Kristaps Porzingis, they could be lethal.

#9: Donovan Mitchell

Position: Shooting guard

Team: Utah Jazz

Born: Sept. 7, 1996

Location: Elmsford, N.Y.

Age: 22

Drafted: 2017, first round, 13th pick by the Denver Nuggets, out of Louisville

Experience: 1 season (2017-present)

Career stats: 21.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.9 apg

Bottom line: What sophomore slump? Donovan Mitchell has followed up his impressive rookie season with an even more impressive sophomore campaign.

Although defenses have tried to play him differently, Mitchell has figured out ways to get his shots and points.

He is one of the most dangerous, young guards in the NBA and appears on his way to being one of the game's elite scorers.

#8: Jayson Tatum

Position: Small forward

Team: Boston Celtics

Born: March 3, 1998

Location: St. Louis, Mo.

Age: 20

Drafted: 2017, first round, third pick by the Boston Celtics, out of Duke

Experience: 1 season (2017-present)

Career stats: 14.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.7 apg

Bottom line: Nothing has stopped Jayson Tatum from becoming a spectacular scorer and building on a solid rookie campaign.

Tatum has emerged as one of the Celtics’ go-to-scorers, along with Kyrie Irving, and he is solid on the defensive end, using his length and size to disrupt opposing offenses.

#7: Jamal Murray

Position: Guard

Team: Denver Nuggets

Born: Feb. 23, 1997

Location: Kitchener, Canada

Age: 22

Drafted: 2016, first round, seventh pick by the Denver Nuggets, out of Kentucky

Experience: 2 seasons (2016-present)

Career stats: 14.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.3 apg

Bottom line: Jamal Murray is one of the NBA's brightest emerging young talents.

His playmaking and scoring abilities have helped the Nuggets surprise everyone in the basketball world.

His scoring, passing and overall feel for the game seems to get better daily.

#6: Steven Adams

Position: Center

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Born: July 25, 1993

Location: Rotorua, New Zealand

Age: 25

Drafted: 2013, first round, 13th pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder, out of Pittsburgh

Experience: 5 seasons (2013-present)

Career stats: 9.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.0 bpg

Bottom line: Steven Adams may not be the most high-profile player on the Oklahoma City Thunder (that's Paul George and Russell Westbrook), but he is becoming a star in his own right.

Adams has improved each season he has been in the league, and it's not just about stats with him. He is a great screen-setter, rebounder and he has an established post game.

Adams, who is considered one of the strongest players in the NBA, will continue to improve as he gets more miles on his career.

#5: Ben Simmons

Ben Simmosn — Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons, left, yells after dunking against the Golden State Warriors in 2019.

Position: Point guard

Team: Philadelphia 76ers

Born: July 20, 1996

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Age: 22

Drafted: 2016, first round, first pick by the Philadelphia 76ers, out of LSU

Experience: 1 season (2017-present)

Career stats: 16.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 8.0 apg

Bottom line: Ben Simmons' passing and his ability to make the pass before a play happens is what makes him special.

He is one of the reasons that Philadelphia has become a top team in the East.

As a key cog in "The Process," the 76ers feel good about their future.

#4: Joel Embiid

Position: Center

Team: Philadelphia 76ers

Born: March 16, 1994

Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon

Age: 24

Drafted: 2014, first round, third pick by the Philadelphia 76ers, out of Kansas

Experience: 2 seasons (2016-present)

Career stats: 24.0 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 2.0 bpg

Bottom line: Joel Embiid is one of the other reasons the Sixers are among the Eastern Conference elite. When healthy, Embiid is dominant on the inside, and can stretch the floor to the 3-point line.

Additionally, he is a ferocious rebounder, using his body to shield other players from getting the ball.

#3: Nikola Jokic

Position: Center

Team: Denver Nuggets

Born: Feb. 19, 1995

Location: Sombor, Serbia

Age: 24

Drafted: 2014, second round, 41st pick by the Denver Nuggets

Experience: 3 seasons (2015-present)

Career stats: 16.1 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 5.0 apg

Bottom line: Nikola Jokic is one of the best passing big men, if not the best passing big man, in the entire NBA.

He has the ability to see the play before it happens and dishes out a perfect dime to his teammates.

He can score inside and drain the 3-point shot. As he continues to grow and develop his game, he could be a perennial All-Star.

#2: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Position: Guard/forward

Team: Milwaukee Bucks

Born: Dec. 6, 1994

Location: Athens, Greece

Age: 24

Drafted: 2013, first round, 15th pick by the Milwaukee Bucks

Experience: 5 seasons (2013-present)

Career stats: 18.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 4.1 apg

Bottom line: Giannis Antetokounmpo is a unique player.

The 6-foot-11 baller's blend of size, strength, length, quickness and agility makes him a difficult player to defend. It takes more than one player to stop the "Greek Freak" from steamrolling his way to the basket.

He has become a legitimate MVP candidate and makes the Bucks a contender in the East for years to come.

#1: Anthony Davis

Position: Forward/Center

Team: New Orleans Pelicans

Born: March 11, 1993

Location: Chicago, Ill.

Age: 25

Drafted: 2012, first round, first pick by the New Orleans Hornets, out of Kentucky

Experience: 6 seasons (2012-present)

Career stats: 23.8 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.1 bpg

Bottom line: Anthony Davis gets the top spot because he is an established star and plays both ends of the floor, racking up several blocks per game.

Davis remains a dominant force on the inside and a smooth player from the perimeter.

"The Brow" still has the potential to become the top player in the NBA, if he ever plays alongside another elite star.