Trae Young
Two-time NBA All-Star Trae Young began his basketball career in college games, playing for the Oklahoma Sooners. He's the first player to ever lead and tie in both the NCAA point and assist categories. In the 2018 NBA draft, he became the fifth pick to join the Dallas Mavericks, together with star Luka Dončić.
Unfortunately, this exciting sharpshooter was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, but in 2019 he was unanimously selected to partake in the 2019 NBA All-Rookie First Team. Young is said to be one of the best under-25-year-old NBA players, with a fierce shooting touch, a floater game, and a visionary game-making ability.
Ja Morant
Ja Morant is a player shooting up the ranks with his basketball skills and is considered one of the most promising basketball players under 25 years old. He was picked in the 2019 NBA draft by the Grizzlies, and in 2020 he was pronounced as the NBA's Rookie of the Year.
Even though he broke out of his sophomore season, this decision has made him focus more on the game that he won the OVC Player of the Year as the lead assistant. Morant, who was named NBA Most Improved Player in 2022, has a three-point percentage of .344 and .761 in free throw.
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum remains one of the most promising NBA stars and has an unstoppable top forward face-up mid-range game. This American basketball player plays for the Boston Celtics of the NBA. He was fortunate to have been picked third overall in the first round by the Boston Celtics in the 2017 NBA draft.
In 2022, the three-time NBA All-Star became the NBA Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player. He has a gold medal for the United States in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Even though he hasn't taken a full-blown growth to the game as many expected, he has amassed a net worth of $25 million.
Zion Williamson
Most basketball fans are familiar with Zion Williamson, who is considered one of the best upcoming players in the United States. His brilliant sophomore contributions brought him fame and a great reputation even though he didn't hit the pitch in the 2021-22 season.
The 2021 fourth-youngest NBA All-Star game player was the New Orleans Pelicans' first overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft. His prowess is in the power forward position, and he was named the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2019. When on the field, Williamson is a wrecking ball that only needs a step to bow away defenders and finish the game level.
LaMelo Ball
Another young and promising basketball star is LaMelo Ball, who plays for the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA. He stands out as a young point guard who's making his way through the ranks and was voted as the NBA Rookie of the Year for 2021.
This 2022 NBA All-Star makes the game a must-watch because of his deep shooting and outstanding gifted vision as a passer. At less than 25 years old, his numbers hover around 20/8/8, which is impressive and promising. Because of his ability, Ball made the Hornets a big threat to other teams. He's also a part of the reality show "Ball in the Family."
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the most enigmatic icons in the entire NBA player pool. He possesses a unique, funky, and difficult-to-guard game for his opponents. This Canadian basketball star plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA.
He was chosen 11th overall in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft to play for the Charlotte Hornets before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. Gilgeous-Alexander made the 2019 NBA's ALL-Rookie Second Team. He's noted for his unstoppable moves and impressive pull-up shooting ability. This outstanding player agreed to a three-year arrangement to play for the Canadian senior men's national basketball team in 2022.
Bam Adebayo
Ban Adebayo has constantly perfected his skills since he started playing with the Kentucky Wildcats. He stands out for his big man body and hot passing chops befitting an NBA guard for the Miami Heat. The 2020 NBA All-Star was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team between 2020 and 2022.
Although Adebayo missed some games in the 2021-22 season due to an injury, he has safeguarded his spot by knocking down mid-range jumpers. This star mixes dribbles and explosiveness to maintain his game and gives an excellent finish down low. In 2017, he sealed his rookie scale contract with the Heat.
Jarrett Allen
Another under-25-year-old star making waves in the NBA is Jarrett Allen, playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Before joining the team, he was part of the college basketball team, the Texas Longhorns. When he was picked 22nd overall in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft by the Brooklyn Nets, he was traded to the Cavaliers.
The 2022 NBA All-Star Game has a strong shot-blocking technique and a rebounding menace that has aided his team's turnaround in a few seasons. Even though some of Allen's games seem easy, he's a master of his trade and goes for top centers regardless of his age.
Deandre Ayton
Bahamian basketball star Deandre Ayton also qualifies to be on this list because of his endless merits to the game. This outstanding basketball star played for the Arizona Wildcats before becoming the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft in the first round by the Phoenix Suns.
Making efforts to improve the game has never been an issue for Ayton, but he dominates all of it for the Suns. In 2021, the star helped his team find their way to the NBA finals. He excels at enhancing strong rebounds, as evidenced by his performance in the 2016 Centrobasket when he led his team with 11.1 rebounds.
Darius Garland
Darius Garland is the son of the popular former American basketball player Winston Garland. This outstanding player broke through in 2021-2022 and has his career blossoming every time he's on the pitch. Before joining the Cleveland Cavaliers team of the NBL, he played for the Vanderbilt Commodores, a college basketball team.
The beginning of 2022 was a lucky one for him since he was named the first NBA All-Star. This dribble king excels at a deep shooting range, sharp shorts, and aims for a higher score from all three levels. Darius is also an impressive playmaker who's making a magnificent name for himself in the game under 25.
Anthony Edwards
One of the most impressive and explosive upcoming players of his time is Anthony Edwards. The Minnesota Timberwolves star may be the next in line to receive an honor for being the top-2 guard in his basketball playing career based on the position he is at.
Since Edwards started playing in high school, he's become so skilled that he can score at all levels when he has a chance. Such courage is rare among players of his age because he has also mastered a unique way of throwing down monster dunks over anyone. The star was the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Jamal Murray
Canadian basketball star Jamal Murray has been one of the most prolific players in the NBA, playing for the Denver Nuggets. He stands out for his outstanding performance and impressive reputation. The star is also part of his home team, the Canadian national team.
Murray's consistency enhances his huge performances in most of his layoffs, and he's known for making various levels of shots at the most guarded spots. This makes him stand out from his peers and gain more wins for the Nuggets. For instance, in the 2021-22 season, he was out of the game, and his team lost five games in the first round of the playoffs.
Brandon Ingram
Another high-level player on the list is Brandon Ingram, who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA. At first, he was picked to join the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2016 NBA draft, but he was traded to the Pelicans, which made him a first-time NBA All-Star in 2020.
The 2020 NBA Most Improved Player is a do-it-all swingman who's best for rebounding and healthy rate distribution. Ingram has unreal length and size, which allows him to hit shots easily. Apparently, he can hit shots above any tall contestant and can change direction in just the blink of an eye.
Evan Mobley
In the NBA's 2021–22 season, Evan Mobley arguably took the mantle of being the frontrunner for the award of Rookie of the Year. He had just been drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021 as their 3rd overall pick in round one, coming from the USC Trojans. This player had "special" written all over him, especially when he developed into an elite impact player.
Although Mobley is a power forward, his defensive prowess is one to marvel at, with a unique short-blocking ability. For a big man, he possesses extremely rare skills in ball handling, chance creation for others, and the ability to shoot jumpers at an incredibly high level.
De'Aaron Fox
The 1997-born Louisiana native, De'Aaron Fox, has been the point guard for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA since 2017. He was the Kings' 5th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft. The former Kentucky Wildcats player at the college level didn't leap to stardom as many people thought he possessed.
Fox is known as an ever-explosive player and is considered one of the best young point guards in the West. He has the speed to rival and good ball-handling skills that allow him to do a lot of damage when he's in the half-court. His shooting remains his Achilles' heel.
John Collins III
Thanks to his outside shooting, John Collins III is your prototypical big man basketball player. He's a menace on the court due to his freakish athleticism. The 2018 NBA All-Rookie Second Team member uses his prowess and speed to finish through and above contact. He's been a power forward for the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA since 2017.
Collins III, who made the 2017 First-Team All-ACC, is not only known for his ability to conveniently shoot from the outside but also as a pick-and-roll monster. The former Wake Forest Demon Deacons player at the college level was the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft.
Miles Bridges Sr.
The 2021-22 season was one of the best for Miles Bridges Sr., who plays for the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA as a small forward. The fleet-footed southpaw swingman is considered one of the fiercest dunkers in the game. He has, however, worked on developing his overall gameplay to match his dunking abilities.
Bridges Sr. can space the floor from the outside before slashing to the basket of the ball and then finishing down low with aplomb. His impressive rates point to his development from his college football days at the Michigan State Spartans. He became a McDonald's All-American in 2016.
Lonzo Ball
Anaheim-born Lonzo Ball isn't a superstar yet, but he's quickly turned out to be a very solid point guard in his own right. The Chicago Bulls star has quietly worked on his trade to become a trustworthy three-point shooter. Having previously played for the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers, he has developed into a player who can create plays for his colleagues.
Ball stands at 1.98 meters and has mastered the art of using his length and instincts impressively to defend, a position he's highly underrated in. Before the 2017 NBA draft, he played for the UCLA Bruins, where he became a McDonald's All-American in 2016.
Scottie Barnes
The 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year, Scottie Barnes, had unmatched go-go-gadget arms and a unique feel for the game among his first-year peers. The former Florida State Seminoles college basketball player was honored with the ACC Freshman of the Year award in 2021. In 2022, he made the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Barnes is known for his willingness to always put his body on the line to make winning plays. When compared to many players with his pedigree, not many would put themselves on the line for the team. His determination can be traced back to his high school days as a budding basketball player.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Memphis Grizzlies have one of the most powerful power forwards in the NBA in Jaren Jackson Jr., who's uniquely big but lacks rebounding. He has an overall positive impact on the game with his excellent outside shooting and is a good basketball driver with the ball in his hands. The burly center was the Grizzlies' fourth overall pick in round one of the 2018 NBA drafts.
Jackson Jr. has quick feet for his body weight, and he uses them well defensively, often avoiding getting overly exposed when asked to switch positions. The 2022 NBA blocks leader also possesses great timing skills as a shot blocker.
Tyler Herro
Greenfield-born Tyler Herro is a shooting guard for the Miami Heat in the NBA. This bucket-getting 2-guard is known for his confidence in play and can hit shots from anywhere on the floor. The 2022 NBA Sixth Man of the Year has a knack for finishing around the basket even though he doesn't have the size for it.
Herro's strength and all-around game have, however, been seen when he's hitting jumpers off the dribble and when crossing foes over. The 2020 NBA All-Rookie Second Team player was with the Kentucky Wildcats, where he played college basketball for one year before going professional.
Jordan Poole
Playing alongside a household-name star like Stephen Curry can either help or hinder your development. It hasn't hindered Jordan Poole, who had to step up in a big way for the Golden State Warriors to cover for the absent Klay Thompson. Although he was playing second fiddle to Curry, he nonetheless performed wonderfully in the team's backcourt.
Poole impressively knocked down the threes and got to the cup with a presence of mind rarely seen in young, promising players. Surely, this former Michigan Wolverines and Santa Cruz Warriors player will continue to impress. He made the 2021 All-NBA G League Third Team.
Desmond Bane
Modern basketball relies heavily on shooting to win, something that Desmond Bane is known to be good at. His shooting skill set allows him to beautifully hit high numbers, especially from most of his outside attempts, which converts to about 41.6 percent. The Memphis Grizzlies' shooting guard played for the TCU Horned Frogs at the college level.
Bane isn't just a spot-up shooter but has developed other skills that involve feeling the game to quickly attack closeouts and score in other ways to help his team win. He's a promising player for the Grizzlies, having made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2021.
Tyrese Maxey
With just two seasons under his belt for the Philadelphia 76ers, Tyrese Maxey has left a lasting impression in people's minds on what he can do. The 2000-born Dallas native is quick, energetic, and explosive on the court. History reads well for him, having started his high-level career with the 76ers on good footing.
Maxey has an array of good shooting skills, and his crossover and knack for scoring baskets from all three levels are quite impressive. This shooting and point guard star also played for the Kentucky Wildcats at the college level. He won the McDonald's All-American and Texas Mr. Basketball titles in 2019.
Nikola Jokic
Had there been an All-Orlando playoff bubble team, Nikola Jokic would have made it onto the first team as its center. The big Serbian who plays for the Denver Nuggets has established himself as one of the most reliable and effective centers in the league. Apart from being an excellent passer and rebounder, he has mastered the art of scoring from anywhere on the floor.
No wonder the Nuggets have built their roster around Jokic, with him being a versatile joker. The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player seems to have his better days yet to come, going by his continued development. He's a four-time NBA All-Star.
Karl-Anthony Towns Jr.
The Minnesota Timberwolves center, Karl-Anthony Towns Jr., has been heaped with praise from the game's executives. Since his rookie season, he's been regarded as one of the league's most promising young big men. He's an all-around two-way player with a skill set and the ability to operate on both ends of the floor at a high level.
Towns Jr. has continued to develop into a consistent winner in work ethic and leadership. The Dominican-American star, born in Edison in 1995, has seen his expectations shift with age. Having won some accolades with the Kentucky Wildcats at the college level, he's continued with the trend in the NBA, becoming a three-time NBA All-Star.
Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons, an Australian professional basketball player, has been at the forefront of spirited debates since he joined the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers. He's a powerful and versatile defender, widely considered to be a jumbo point guard with supernatural talent. Perhaps his main undoing is the lack of 3-point shooting prowess, which he's seemingly indifferent about improving.
The former LSU Tigers player and three-time NBA All-Star turns out for the Brooklyn Nets. Simmons is quickly developing into one of the premier defensive players in the NBA. The 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year is earmarked for more success, having twice made it to the NBA All-Defensive Team.
Donovan Mitchell
The Utah Jazz didn't hesitate to lock up Donovan Mitchell to a maximum contract extension after he put up an impressive performance for the franchise in the Orlando bubble. His high numbers in that competitive environment only served to remind his fans and critics alike of his all-around contribution to the basketball game.
The three-time NBA All-Star has blossomed into a legitimate superstar and scorer for the Jazz, good enough to be depended on for the future. Even though the jury is still out about his ability to play alongside another superstar wing player, he's shown enough to ease some of those fears.
Devin Booker
The 1996 Michigan-born Devin Booker lit up the Orlando bubble with his talent, playing for the Phoenix Suns in the game's restart. He was one of the Suns' leading players to spearhead their straight-eight wins to the season's end. Showing off his prowess in the game, he was among the three players to unanimously earn All-Bubble first-team honors.
Booker has shown enough mettle on the court to indicate that his star is on an upward trajectory. The former Kentucky Wildcats player at the college level is a three-time NBA All-Star, a feat he achieved between 2020 and 2022. He also made the 2022 All-NBA First Team.
Larry Johnson
The retired professional basketball player, Larry Johnson, blazed the NBA with his talent as a power forward between 1991 and 2001. He played for the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks, becoming a two-time consensus first-team All-American. At the University of Nevada, he won several team and individual accolades before going professional.
Johnson's career highlights and awards would continue to grow in the professional realm, where he became a two-time NBA All-Star in 1993 and 1995. His prowess on the basketball court saw him become an inductee of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.
Yao Ming
Perhaps the greatest basketball player to ever come from China, Yao Ming, played professionally for the Shanghai Sharks in the CBA. He moved to the NBA to play for the Houston Rockets between 2002 and 2011, where he was selected eight times as a starter in the NBA All-Star Game for the Western Conference.
Ming, who's a basketball executive in China, was named five times to the All-NBA Team, twice on the second team and three times on the third team. He held an enviable record of being the tallest active NBA player at 2.29m in 2011, which was his final season.
Grant Hill
Grant Hill is the Atlanta Hawks' co-owner and executive who was a basketball player of repute during his heydays. The former Duke University basketball player is widely considered one of the institution's greatest players. The two-time NCAA champion transitioned to the NBA through the 1994 NBA draft as he was selected by the Detroit Pistons.
Hill, who also works as Turner Sports and CBS basketball analyst, also played for the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Clippers. He predominantly played as a small forward. The three-time NBA Sportsmanship Award winner may not have won any NBA championships, but he became an NBA All-Star seven times.
Lamar Odom
Lamar Odom played for various teams in the NBA, the most prominent among them being the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. The two-time NBA champion with the Lakers also won an Olympic bronze medal with the U.S. at the Athens Summer Olympics in 2004. The 1997 Parade's national player of the year attended the University of Rhode Island, where his basketball playing career took off.
When he got married to Khloé Kardashian, Odom appeared on the reality TV shows "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and "Khloé & Lamar." The controversial star won a gold medal with the United States national basketball team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
Len Bias
The late Leonard Kevin Bias was a youthful basketball player who played for the University of Maryland. He was selected by the Boston Celtics of the NBA as the second overall pick in their round one draft in 1986, aged 22. Barely two days after he was drafted, he passed away from a cocaine overdose-related condition, cardiac arrhythmia.
Bias had a stellar four-year career at Maryland, where he became a consensus first-team All-American. He was also a two-time first-team All-ACC, a two-time ACC Player of the Year, and the ACC Tournament MVP. He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
Vin Baker
The Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach, Vincent Lamont Baker, professionally played basketball in the NBA between 1993 and 2006. He played for six NBA teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and others, appearing in four All-Star Games in succession between 1995 and 1998. The former power forward and a center player was a three-time first-team All-America East star between 1991 and 1993.
He was the first round and 8th overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft. He played his college basketball for the Hartford Hawks. As a junior, Baker had a burning talent for basketball, and Sports Illustrated once labeled him "America's Best-Kept Secret."
Baron Davis
Baron Davis is the NBA record holder for all-time playoff career steals per game. He has an average of 2.28 over 50 games, which still stands even though he's retired from the game. The "NBA on TNT" studio analyst made the 2004 All-NBA Third Team and is a two-time NBA All-Star. He twice led the NBA in steals in 2004 and 2007.
Davis was quite a journeyman, playing for six teams in the NBA, which included the Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Hornets, Golden State Warriors, and others. The former high school star earned All-American honors in UCLA Bruins just before his career took a professional turn in his sophomore year.
Luka Dončić
Slovenian basketball star Luka Dončić made his debut in 2015, playing in the academy's senior team until two years later when he led Madrid to win the Euro League MVP. He was the 3rd overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks.
The 2019 Rookie of the Year maintains his top ranking in this our list for the second year running as the best player under 25. He has tremendously made a huge advancement in the past few years, and considering his age; he still has much to offer since he signed a five-year contract extension in 2021.
Andrew Bynum
Forever known for playing for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA, Andrew Bynum forwent his college studies to pursue his professional basketball career. The high school McDonald's All-American star played seven seasons with the Lakers, winning two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010 with the team. He was the Lakers' first-round pick in the 2005 NBA draft.
Bynum became the youngest player ever to feature in an NBA game. However, injuries hampered this 2012 NBA All-Star's otherwise promising career, leading to him briefly playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, and Indiana Pacers after leaving the Lakers.
