The NBA is going through a transition phase right now. Young stars are on the rise and old superstars are on their way out. This is not necessarily a bad thing though; there is a huge field of young talent that is taking the league by storm. The young talent coming up is currently in the process of setting up a promising future for competitive and exciting NBA seasons to come. This article will examine the youngest of the crop and rate the top ten players currently 23 years old or younger who have All-Star futures in front of them.
Courtesy: Bleacer Report
10) Jonas Valanciunas, Age 22
Center, Toronto Raptors
Jonas Valanciunas is originally from Lithuania and was drafted in the 2011 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors with the fifth overall pick. Since being drafted, Jonas has shown constant improvement and has also become a key contributor to the Raptors’ success. He is currently averaging 12.5 PTs, 8.5 REBs and 1.1 BLKs per game. Jonas has shown that he can challenge other big men down low and works well in the post with a variety of skills. I believe before his career is over he will become an All-Star.
9) Michael Carter Williams, Age 23
Courtesy: Fox News
Point Guard, Philadelphia 76ers
Since entering the NBA, Michael Carter Williams has been a pleasant surprise. He is playing on one of the youngest teams in the NBA and has become the face to an organization that is in the process of rebuilding. During his first year in the league, Williams shocked everyone by taking home Rookie of the Year honors for the 2013-14 season. Now in his second season, his game continues to improve becoming a team leader. He currently averages 15.1PTs, 7.4ASTs, 6.2REBs and 1.5STLs per game. This season he already has nine double-doubles recently recording 15PTs and 12 ASTs against the Denver Nuggets. Williams is currently in his second season and shows only signs of progression and having a promising NBA career.
Courtesy – Bleacher Report
8) Andrew Wiggins, Age 19
Shooting Guard, Minnesota Timberwolves
Andrew Wiggins has been a popular name before even entering the NBA with comparisons to Michael Jordan and LeBron James. He was drafted first overall in the 2014 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers but before the season started was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Playing in Minnesota, Wiggins is becoming the face of this young franchise. Though the team sits at the bottom of the Western Conference, Wiggins has done his job to show the league that he is for real and can live up to the hype. Currently, he is a solid choice for Rookie of the Year. He is currently averaging 15.5PTs, 4.2REBs, 1.8ASTs and 1.2 STLs per game. Though his career started off slowly, Wiggins is transforming into an NBA All-Star. In his most recent battle against the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James, Wiggins put up his career high recording 33PTs, 1AST and 4STLs. Without a doubt, I believe Wiggins will be around for a while as he becomes a big threat to other teams.
Courtesy – Fansided.com
7) Andre Drummond, Age 21
Center, Detroit Pistons
Andre Drummond has become a star center playing in Detroit. The young talent out of UCONN has proven to be a threat on both sides of the court. He is currently averaging 12.4PTs, 12.9REBs, 1.8BLKs and 1.1STLs per game. Drummond has been in the league for two years now and in both seasons he has lead the league in total rebound percentage. He is a complete monster in the paint. Without a doubt, Andre Drummond is going to have an All-Star career and he even has the talents to one-day take home Defensive Player of the Year.
Courtesy – Rant Sports
6) Brandon Knight, Age 23
Point Guard, Milwaukee Bucks
Brandon Knight is in his second season with the Milwaukee Bucks. During these two years, he has made a lot of improvement. He is currently averaging 17.7 PTs, 5.3ASTs, 4.2REBs and 1.7STLs per game. Knight’s offensive skill set has shown maturity and growth. He is now shooting 43.7 percent from field goal range, 40.5 percent from behind the arc and 89.2 percent from the free-throw line. Knight also has defensive skills that would be valuable to any franchise.
Courtesy – CBS Sports
5) Giannis Antetokounmpo, Age 20
Small Forward/Shooting Guard, Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo is in his second year in the league and has made gigantic improvements in just one year. He is currently averaging 11.4PTs, 6.3REBs, 2.3ASTs and 1.1BLKs per game. He goes by the nickname of “The Greek Freak” and that nickname is very suiting. Giannis is 6-11 and 217LBs. For a guy his size, he has demonstrated time after time that he is extremely athletic and possesses a ton of raw talent. With his size and athletic gift, he will become one of the scariest players to get matched up with.
Courtesy – CBS Sports
4) Bradley Beal, Age 21
Shooting Guard, Washington Wizards
Now in his third season with the Washington Wizards, Beal has been able to grow alongside John Wall and team up with his to become one of the best backcourts in the league right now. His presence has helped the Wizards remain Eastern Conference contenders. He is currently averaging 15.2PTs, 3.2ASTs, 3.9REBs and 1.2 STLs per game. I truly believe it will not be long before Beal becomes the NBA’s best shooting guard. He has already earned comparisons to the great Ray Allen by having a very nice jump shot. Beal is no where near his peak and it will be exciting to watch him take over the league.
Courtesy – Bleacher Report
3) Kyrie Irving, Age 22
Point Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyrie Irving is already an All-Star and an All-Star game MVP. He is one of Cleveland’s best assets. He has been in the league for four seasons now and has a career average of 20.9PTs, 3.2REBs, 5.2ASTs and 1.6STLs. Irving is great at putting up points and already has hit multiple buzz beaters. My only concern for him is the amount of effort he puts out defensively; it would help if he were more engaged. Nevertheless, Irving still has room to grow which makes him so scary.
Courtesy – ESPN
2)Kawhi Leonard, Age 23
Small Forward, San Antonio Spurs
At only 23 years old, Leonard has built an amazing career. Coach Gregg Popovich has really helped Leonard mature into an all around threat. He is already an NBA Champion and an NBA Finals MVP. He is currently in the middle of his best season so far averaging 15.6PTs, 7.9REBs, 2.4ASTs and 2.1STLs per game. One thing that makes Leonard so good is that he is so reliable. This young star has learned from some of the best veterans to ever play the game and is slowly becoming the new face of San Antonio’s franchise. Leonard has thrived on the biggest stage against the best players and won. With out a doubt, Leonard’s future is extremely bright.
Courtesy – Rant Sports
1) Antony Davis, Age 21
Power Forward/Center, New Orleans Pelicans
Even before entering the NBA, Davis won a gold medal with team USA and some of the world’s best basketball players. Davis is also already an NBA All-Star. Right now, Davis’ stat line is crazy. He is shooting 55.4 percent from field goal range and averaging 24.6PTs, 10.5REBs, 1.7ASTs, 1.6STLs and 2.8BLKs per game. If Davis maintains this pace, this will be the second season in a row he averaged the most blocks per game. He is also the third player in league history to average 24PTs, 10REBs, one assist, one steal and two blocks per game, while maintaining a true shooting percentage above .600. The only other two players in history to do so: David Robinson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This big guy can also shoot free throws and never turns the ball over. Davis is without a doubt the best player under the age of 23 and possibly holds the brightest future of them all.
