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The NBA continually witnesses the ascent of extraordinary young talents. These players are reshaping the league with their unmatched skills and creativity. From dynamic point guards to dominating big men, this article celebrates the emerging stars who are not only the future but also, the present, of the NBA. Join us as we spotlight the transcendent talents shaping the game’s next chapter.
25. Jabari Smith Jr. (20 Years Old)
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One of the best, young cores in the league resides in Houston. The Rockets have stocked up on promising players that could eventually become All-Stars. We’ve barely scratched the surface on recent draft picks like Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. For Houston’s immediate plans, the development of Jabari Smith Jr. in Year 2 has been a major storyline. Smith Jr. was squeezed into a bit of an awkward role. He was the third overall pick in 2022 but often operates as the fifth option in Houston’s starting lineup. Despite ceding scoring chances to his teammates, Smith Jr. has been engaged on both ends of the floor while improving his offensive efficiency. Even if he never becomes a primary option, Smith Jr. will be integral to Houston’s rebuild.
24. Coby White (24 Years Old)
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Bulls fans can take a brief sigh of relief. Though their team is sputtering and nearing a potential mass exodus, Chicago supports can take solace in the fact that Coby White is a legitimate player. After four seasons of up-and-down play, White has emerged as a potential Most Improved Player candidate in ’24. The tools were always there, it’s just been a matter of White gaining trust and consistency. He’s never had trouble scoring and is actively enjoying his best shooting season. The team can now trust him with the ball as he’s made vast improvements as a playmaker. It would seemingly behoove the Bulls to flip their veteran players and build around White.
23. Keegan Murray (23 Years Old)
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While Keegan Murray hasn’t taken quite as big of a leap as some hoped in Year 2, he remains a productive player with room to grow. A part of Murray’s “struggles” in ’24 has been due to his threes not falling. However, poor shooting is not the norm for the former Iowa standout. He proved as such in a game earlier this season when he knocked down 12 threes en route to a 47-point outing versus the Jazz.
22. Anfernee Simons (24 Years Old)
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Simons is still eligible for this list despite being in the midst of his sixth NBA season. This is Simons’ first season without Damian Lillard as his teammate. Of course, the Blazers have spent recent draft picks on a pair of guards (Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson). But, Simons remains their primary option and most explosive offensive player. He’s been one of the league’s best, high-volume three-point shooters for several years. The next step in Simons’ development will be cracking into the All-Star conversation in a crowded Western Conference.
21. Nic Claxton (24 Years Old)
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Brooklyn’s Claxton is one of the unsung, young stars in the league. Following his collegiate career at Georgia, Claxton was drafted by the Nets but hardly played in his first two seasons. He started to get some praise during the ”21-’22 season for doing the dirty work on a team that featured Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. Claxton’s trajectory has only gone up since then. Once the other stars left Brooklyn, Claxton was given a bigger role and began expanding his game. The lanky center has always been a stout defender, but his passing and vision continue to show more and more each game.
20. Jalen Johnson (22 Years Old)
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A recent addition to this list, Jalen Johnson is having a breakout campaign in 2024. The former Duke Blue Devil didn’t see the floor much the previous two seasons. John Collins getting traded over the summer opened up an opportunity for Johnson. He came off the bench to start the year, but Hawks coach Quin Snyder couldn’t keep him there for long. It’s rare to see a 22-year-old who already has such a refined game. Johnson is a willing playmaker who works his tail off defensively and can score from all three levels. The sky is the limit for Johnson.
19. Tyler Herro (24 Years Old)
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It feels like Tyler Herro has already been around for a long time despite having not even celebrated his 25th birthday yet. Part of that has to do with the team he plays for. The Heat have reached the playoffs in each season of Herro’s career and have reached the NBA Finals twice (and were one game away from a third trip). Herro has been under a microscope since he first stepped foot on an NBA floor. And, for the most part, he’s delivered. The confident combo guard is a former Sixth Man of the Year who is among the league’s best three-point and free-throw shooters.
18. Brandon Miller (21 Years Old)
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It might be slightly premature to rank the 21-year-old this high. However, what Miller is doing this season cannot go unnoticed. The second overall pick in last year’s draft has already shown to be one of the promising, young talents in the league. Miller has a full assortment of offensive moves that he can deploy against NBA-level defenders. In many ways, the 6-foot-9 Miller is reminiscent of a young Paul George. He boasts a similar ceiling to the Clipper All-Star and is already far more advanced than George was at the same age. Once he gets more reps as a playmaker, Miller will eventually become a two-way force.
17. Cade Cunningham (22 Years Old)
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Don’t let his team’s record fool you. Cade Cunningham is doing just fine for himself amidst a terrible Pistons season. It certainly hasn’t been his fault that Detroit has struggled so much. After playing in just 12 games last year, Cunningham has been healthy in 2024 and is showing why he was the No. 1 overall pick two seasons ago. A creative lead guard, Cunningham is developing into an offensive hub unto himself. He has no issue dishing the rock to his teammates for easy scores. But, when teams play him one-on-one Cunningham can reach from a deep bag of hesitations and step-backs that can make even the best defenders look silly.
16. Chet Holmgren (21 Years Old)
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Chet Holmgren already being a near All-Star player in his first season shouldn’t go underappreciated. This is a guy who missed all of last year after suffering a foot injury in the preseason. Holmgren made his debut earlier this season and hasn’t looked back. In his first month of NBA basketball, Holmgren averaged 18.1 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 2.3 BPG at a blistering .564/.438/.881 clip. He’s already an All-Defensive candidate and his burgeoning offensive game will continue to grow.
15. Franz Wagner (22 Years Old)
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Teams are kicking themselves about allowing Franz Wagner to fall to eight overall in the ’21 NBA Draft. He’s been a key part of Orlando’s surge into the postseason picture. On any given night, Wagner can be the Magic’s best player. Orlando has even thrived when Wagner is at his most assertive offensively. On the year, the Magic are a perfect 7-0 when Wagner scores at least 30 points. It’s never been Wagner’s style to be selfish. He ranked fifth in usage percentage on his team during his final year at Michigan. Wagner is a connective star. The Magic don’t even necessarily have to draw up plays for him. He’ll find his points whether it’s spotting up waiting for a kick out or running the lanes and finishing on the break.
14. Darius Garland (24 Years Old)
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A maestro playmaker, Darius Garland represents a new era of point guards who can exploit defenses in multiple ways. Garland is comfortable operating as both a playmaker and a scorer. He has a near-telepathic link with Cleveland’s two bigs (Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen). Garland routinely threads passes through the thinnest lanes and is one of the league’s premier lob throwers. While he can sometimes take a backseat to Donovan Mitchell on Cleveland’s offense, Garland is smart enough and a good enough shooter to be useful off-ball. It would be interesting to see how Garland would look leading the Cavaliers if Mitchell opts to switch teams this Summer.
13. LaMelo Ball (22 Years Old)
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LaMelo Ball is an All-Star talent. The league designated him as such in 2022. Of course, health is the primary topic when it comes to Ball. Unsurprisingly, Ball’s lone All-Star nod came in a season in which he played 75 games. He hasn’t played 75 games total in the two seasons since. Ball is an offensive wonder when he’s been on the floor. The 22-year-old is an elite passer — from the standstill and off the dribble. He averaged over 32 PPG for a stretch this season before going down with the initial ankle injury. The Hornets will have to monitor him going forward. They can’t afford to have him miss over half the year every season.
12. Jalen Williams (22 Year Old)
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Jalen Williams is one of the most under-appreciated young stars in the game today. That is likely because he plays next to an MVP candidate (Shai Gilgeious-Alexander) and a former top pick (Holmgren). However, Williams’ has emerged as a two-way monster for the Thunder. His ability to defend multiple positions is invaluable for an OKC team that lacks size in the frontcourt. Williams’ offense has gotten better and better since the start of his rookie year. You aren’t going to find many players more efficient than Williams from all over the floor. Time and time again, Williams has made big plays for a Thunder team that looks like a true title contender.
11. Evan Mobley (22 Years Old)
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Offensively, there are certainly some areas that Mobley could afford to get better at. He remains a so-so shooter who struggles from the free-throw line and shies away from taking three-pointers. However, the defense remains outstanding and he continues to show flashes as a passing hub. Perhaps, the Cavaliers won’t get the best possible version of Mobley until Jarrett Allen moves elsewhere. For now, it’s a clunky fit that has enjoyed some success due to the immense talent on Cleveland’s roster. Still, Mobley is an All-League defender who shoots nearly 60 percent from the floor.
10. Jaren Jackson Jr. (24 Years Old)
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JJJ is the archetype big man in today’s NBA. He’s a rim protector, rim-runner, and a guy who can step out and shoot threes at a high clip. His field-goal percentages leave a bit to be desired. Those certainly can be improved upon. However, looking strictly at the strengths Jackson Jr. brings to the table, he’s the type of winning basketball player that good teams seek. He’ll never be a No. 1 or even a No. 2 option on offense. With that said, Jackson Jr. can be the defensive anchor and a secondary playmaking scorer.
9. Alperen Şengün (21 Years Old)
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Sengun is a slightly-worse Jokic at the age of 21. In other words, he’s a very good player — and the centerpiece of a Rockets’ rebuild that looks quite positive. Crafty around the rim and brutish on the boards, the Turkish big man really can do it all. This includes passing the rock — as evidenced by averaging close to five assists per game. If Sengun is virtually averaging a double-double in his early 20s, there’s no telling how good he can get in his prime 5-7 years from now. There’s a world in which he becomes among the best big men in the NBA.
8. Tyrese Maxey (23 Years Old)
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Maxey has seen his game rapidly ascend from being a sixth-man type to one of the better combo guards in the league. Slithery with the ball in his hands, he’s excellent at navigating pick-and-roll situations. Maxey is equally as good in transition, where he’ll attack the rim aggressively. Averaging nearly 26 PPG at only 23 years of age, the Texas native could very well vie for All-NBA honors sooner than later. At the very least, he’s developed into a legit second star alongside Joel Embiid.
7. Zion Williamson (23 Years Old)
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The key thing for Zion is staying healthy. When active and engaged, he’s among the best offensive players in the league. He represents a mismatch with his unique build and leaping ability. When injured or out of shape, he’s a shell of the guy we saw at Duke dominating opponents on a nightly basis. The next few years will be telling as to whether he takes it another level, or washes out of the league as a “what could have been” footnote.
6. Scottie Barnes (22 Years Old)
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Barnes represents the modern-day NBA player. He’s a 6’9” jack-of-all-trades — possessing point-forward skills and a willingness to defend. He can punish smaller guards on the block, yet also attack the rim off the bounce. The next step in his profession will be improving from the three-point line. He might not ever be a No. 1 on a title team, but Barnes would be an elite complementary piece.
5. Paolo Banchero (21 Years Old)
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The modern-day Chris Webber. Banchero has become the focal point of a pretty good Orlando team. His field-goal percentages — from both inside and beyond the arc — continue to improve. The next step in Banchero’s game is becoming a more consistent rebounder and defender. At his size with his athletic ability, Banchero should be averaging close to 10 rebounds a game. The trajectory is certainly trending in the right direction, and there’s a universe where he’s the best player to don a Magic jersey since prime Dwight Howard more than a decade ago.
4. Victor Wembanyama (20 Years Old)
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As the season has progressed, we’re seeing a young player become more and more comfortable with the nuances of the NBA. It was an adjustment for Wemby earlier this year. He had to adjust to the speed and physicality of the game. In the last month, we’re seeing his game moving to another level. He’s becoming a more efficient scorer on all levels. Defensively, he’s already one of the best in the league at defending the rim. As he becomes stronger, Wembanyama should become a better scorer in the paint. It’s scary to think about how much is left for Wemby to unlock in his game. A year from now, he could very well be the No. 1 player in the league under the age of 25.
3. Tyrese Haliburton (23 Years Old)
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Here’s another player taking the next step in becoming a true superstar in this league. The efficiency with which Haliburton plays is phenomenal. Despite not having ideal athletic ability, the craftiness is on full display. He knows how to get open, exploiting space off the dribble for himself or teammates. Haliburton’s penchant for keeping his dribble alive enables him to scan the court before finding teammates for good looks. He possesses a game which will continue to age beautifully. As he gets older, he’ll continue to become even more of a dominant player.
2. Ja Morant (24 Years Old)
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Morant has had a rough last year. Between an off-the-court suspension and various injuries, this was essentially a lost year. The talent is never a question here. Morant contorts his body at the rim as well as anyone. It almost looks like he’s floating akin to a butterfly before rising up and throwing it down on someone’s head. As competitive as they come, he should come back to the court highly motivated. He’s had plenty of naysayers question his commitment to the game, as well as his maturity off the court. Don’t bet against Morant next year.
1. Anthony Edwards (22 Years Old)
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You’re looking at a guy who’s taken the next step in becoming a superstar. The alpha nature had always been bubbling beneath the surface. In the wake of his performance this past summer with Team USA, we saw a mentality change — where he took the reins of the Timberwolves. Karl-Anthony Towns gladly relinquished the title to the powerful wing. As we approach March, Minnesota holds the best record in the Western Conference. Edwards is the most talented player to play for the franchise since Kevin Garnett. You’re essentially looking at the closest thing to Dwyane Wade that we’ve seen in recent memory. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to see Edwards truly arrive during postseason play.
