Here are the top 10 best players under 25 in the NBA, as ranked by ESPN:
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Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets)
Sengun is 22 years old and was the 16th pick in the 2021 draft. He became the MVP of the Turkish League at 19, which caught the attention of the Houston Rockets. Despite not having great athleticism, Sengun has high basketball IQ and excellent skills, earning him a spot as the team's first core player under coach Stephen Silas. This season, he has a chance to make the All-Star team with an average of 19 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1 block per game.
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Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Williams is 23 years old and was the 12th pick in the 2023 draft. His rise to prominence was unexpected, but it speaks to the Oklahoma City Thunder's keen eye for talent. As one of the "Thunder Three," Williams is an all-around player with strong offensive and defensive capabilities. His athleticism is impressive, and his unselfish play style makes him an ideal second-in-command. This season, he averages 21.2 points, 6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
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Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Mobley is 23 years old and was the third pick in the 2021 draft. He may be underrated in this ranking, as he sacrifices his offensive stats for the team's benefit. However, his contributions on defense are significant, with excellent sweeping defense abilities. Under his leadership, the Cleveland Cavaliers have climbed to the top of the league this season. Mobley averages 18.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1 steal, and 1.5 blocks per game, with hopes of making the All-Star team this season.
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Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)
Maxey is 24 years old and was the 21st pick in the 2020 draft. He owes his opportunity to the fallout between Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers, followed by James Harden's departure. Maxey's outstanding performance has earned him recognition as a team leader, with a well-rounded game and proactive defense. He has the potential to become a top-tier guard in the future. This season, he averages 26 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2 steals per game.
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Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
Haliburton is 24 years old and was the 12th pick in the 2020 draft. He made a name for himself last season with top-level play as a ball-dominant guard. However, this season has seen a steep decline in his performance, and he needs to regain his form quickly. Otherwise, based on this season's performance, he wouldn't rank this high. Currently, he averages 17.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, with a low three-point shooting percentage of only 35%.
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Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Holmgren is 22 years old and was the second pick in the 2022 draft. Once considered the next Dirk Nowitzki, he now appears to be a formidable opponent for Victor Wembanyama in the future. Standing at 2.16 meters tall, he can drive to the basket, shoot threes, and defend, making him a versatile player. The only downside is his lack of physicality. This season, he averages 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of 37.8%.
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Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic)
Wagner is 23 years old and was the eighth pick in the 2021 draft. His exceptional play this season has earned him more recognition. He's like a downgraded shooting version of Kevin Durant, standing at 2.08 meters tall with excellent driving ability, which is quite rare. Wagner also has good ball-handling skills, and playing second fiddle seems like a waste of his talents. This season, he averages 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
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Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
Banchero is 22 years old and was the first pick in the 2022 draft. It's surprising that two Orlando Magic players made the top four, but given their abilities, they deserve their spots. Banchero, still in his sophomore year, led his team to the playoffs last season with an average of 27 points. This season, he averages 29 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists, with a shooting percentage of 49.5%, showcasing his skills as an outstanding power forward.
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Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Edwards, the number one pick in 2020, is now 23 years old. Notably, LaMelo Ball is absent from this list, possibly due to poor team performance. Edwards is one of the best shooting guards in the league, with excellent driving ability and now top-tier three-point shooting. He's considered a potential face of the league in the future. This season, he averages 25 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game.
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Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Wembanyama is the number one pick in 2023 and is currently 20 years old. Although only in his second year in the league, he has already reached near-top-ten levels. In terms of potential, he could chase historical status in the future. Wembanyama is a strong contender for Defensive Player of the Year this season. He averages 25.5 points, 10 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks per game, leading the league in blocks and hitting an average of 3.4 threes per game.