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
Kristaps Porzingis gets a fresh start with the Dallas Mavericks after averaging 17.8 points in three seasons with the New York Knicks.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
Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond slams two points against the San Antonio Spurs in 2019.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
Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell drives around a San Antonio Spurs defender in 2019.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
Orlando Magic's Aaron Gordon, left, goes to the basket past against the Philadelphia 76ers in 2017.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
Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen, right, is fouled by Atlanta Hawks forward Alex Poythress in a 2019 game.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
Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson watches guard Caris LeVert bring the ball up court during a 2019 game agains the Chicago Bulls.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
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner blocks a shot by Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller in 2019.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
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam goes up for a dunk against the Washington Wizards in 2019.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
Houston Rockets center Clint Capela in a 2015 game against the New York Knicks.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
Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic drives between Charlotte Hornets defenders in a 2019 game.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
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma drives to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies in 2019.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
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine dunks against the Phoenix Suns in 2018.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
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal shoots a 3-pointer against the Brooklyn Nets in 2019.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
Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox, right, drives against Los Angeles Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2019.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
Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots in front of Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young in a 2019 game.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
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, during a 2019 game against the New Orleans Pelicans.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
Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Avery Bradley in 2019.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
Donovan Mitchell celebrates after making a 3-pointer against the Milwaukee Bucks in 2019.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
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum watches his 3-point shot as fans react during a 2019 game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Boston.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
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, goes up for a shot as Golden State Warriors forward David West defends in a 2016 game.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
Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams saves the ball from going out of bounds in a 2019 game against the Memphis Grizzlies.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
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
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid rebounds the ball against the New York Knicks in 2019.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
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic runs down the lane against the Chicago Bulls in 2015.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
Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Giannis Antetokounmpo tries to get past Cleveland Cavaliers defenders in 2013.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
New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis blocks a shot by San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills in 2018.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.