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[av_heading heading=’The NBA’s best under-25 players’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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IN JUST two weeks, the 2016-2017 NBA season opens with familiar faces in unfamiliar uniforms. Likewise, we will be seeing new faces from the NBA Draft eager to make strong impressions. We saw in the pre-season games, players who put in hard work and had displayed remarkable improvements. There are plenty of these young talents but some had shown really promising careers.
We had seen the last of Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett , Amar’e Stoudemire and perhaps Chris Bosh. Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Stephen Curry have reached their peaks. It’s time for the young ones to shine. From the oldest to the youngest, these are the league’s top players under the age of 25 who are expected to make solid contributions to their teams’ campaign.
ANTHONY DAVIS – Nicknamed “The Brow” for his unique eyebrows, Davis, at 23-years old, was the New Orleans Pelicans first pick on the 2012 NBA Draft. The 6-10 c/f has been improving every year and had per game averages of 24.3 pts, 10.3 rebs and 2 blks last season. A 5-year pro, he’s been selected to 3 All-Star Games already and has become one of the league’s top defensive players.
ANDRE DRUMMOND – On the same draft class as Davis, Drummond was selected 9th overall by the Detroit Pistons. The wide-bodied 6-11 center led the NBA last season with almost 15 boards per game and improved his scoring with a career-high 16 ppg. Only 23 and already on his 5th year, Drummond renewed his ties with Detroit inking 4-year contract in excess of $125 million, making him the highest paid player in Pistons history.
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO – Having the NBA’s trickiest names to spell and pronounce, the “Greek Freak” could also be one of the hardest players to defend. Giannis is still 21 and at 6-11, can play the point, the 2- or the 3-spot. The multi-talented player was the Milwaukee Bucks’ 15th pick in the 2013 Rookie Draft and is on the last year of his rookie contract. Last season, he posted impressive per game averages of 17 pts, 7 rebs, 4.3 asts, 1.2 stls and 1.4 blks in 35 minutes of play.
JABARI PARKER – Drafted by Milwaukee in 2014 as their number 2 pick, the 6-8 Parker played his first 25 games but sat the rest of his rookie season because of a torn ACL. He came back strong the following year, missing only six regular season games posting averages of 14 points in 31 minutes of action. He’s only 21 and Coach Jason Kidd must utilize Parker for him to gain confidence. Together with new acquisition Victor Oladipo and the Greek Freak, they could be the Bucks’ version of the Big Three.
ANDREW WIGGINS – Drafted by Cleveland as their top pick, the 6-8 Wiggins found himself in limbo when LeBron decided to take his talents back to the Cavs. He was traded to Minnesota in exchange for Kevin Love. With the Wolves under Coach Tom Thibodeau, Wiggins, at 21, has slowly developed into one of the league’s dependable forwards and has averaged almost 19 points per game in 35 minutes on the hardcourt.
KARL ANTHONY-TOWNS – Still to turn 21 this November, KAT was Minnesota’s top pick in 2015 and was a revelation. Showing versatility found rare among seven footers, he can operate inside and outside the paint with occasional three-pointers, posting averages of 18 points and 10 rebounds a game. KAT was personally taught the intricacies and perhaps also the parodies of the game by KG and is on a team with talented youngsters like Wiggins and Zach LaVine and could be the core of future title contenders.
KRISTAPS PORZINGIS – Much maligned by Knicks fans when New York picked him at number 4 last year, the Zinger proved non-believers wrong. A younger and taller version of Toni Kukoc in his prime, Porzingis handles the ball well and can shoot from way outside. Together with Carmelo Anthony and Joakim Noah, they form a formidable Knicks frontcourt. A 7-3 power forward, he posted averages of 14 pts, 7 rebs and 2 blks in 28 minutes during his rookie year. We will see a much improved Porzingis when they face Cleveland in the season opener on October 26. Also known as the Kristaps Kraze, he will thrive in his position with Derrick Rose manning the point.
D’ANGELO RUSSELL – the youngest in the lot at 20, Russell was LAL’s 2nd pick in last year’s draft. He had a good rookie season averaging 13 points and started in 48 games. He is a scoring point guard in the style of Kyrie Irving, Curry, Westbrook and Rose. The Lakers will enter the Kobe-denied era when the season opens and with new coach Luke Walton, a host of young players and a mix of veterans, Russell and the Lakers will be winning more than 17 games this year.
Everything comes down to breaks, hard work and self-discipline. Barring injuries, the above-mentioned players will be the future of the league./PN
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