The NBA for the 2024-25 season is at a critical juncture of generational change, with veterans like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant gradually fading from the NBA scene. We can see an increasing number of young players slowly becoming the face of the NBA.
To this end, American media outlet Hoopshype has listed the top 25 young stars under 25 years old in the NBA as of 2025. Let's take a look at which players' rankings may have been overestimated or underestimated?
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Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Victor Wembanyama should be ranked first, averaging 25.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 4.0 blocks, and a shooting percentage of 47.9%. His salary for this season is $12,768,664, ranking 129th. As a rookie contract, this salary is not an issue. Although Wembanyama is a center, he seems capable of playing all five positions on both offense and defense. Standing at 2.26 meters tall, he can dribble like a guard and easily break through for layups.
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Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Anthony Edwards ranks second, averaging 25.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and a shooting percentage of 42.7%. His salary is as high as $42,176,400, ranking 21st. Edwards is known as one of the strongest shooting guards currently active, famous for his explosive power, highlight-reel dunks, and excellent three-point shooting ability. He can be considered one of the smartest young superstars currently in the league.
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Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
Paolo Banchero ranks third, averaging 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and a shooting percentage of 49.5%. His salary is $12,160,800, ranking 139th. Banchero is a power forward who can also play multiple positions, with an integrated offensive and defensive game. This season, due to injury issues, he missed some games. Before getting injured, he was performing at an MVP level.
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Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Jalen Williams ranks fourth, averaging 20.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and a shooting percentage of 48.0%. His salary is $4,775,760, ranking 253rd. Williams is an integrated forward on both offense and defense, possessing outstanding shooting ability. In a team like the Thunder, he has received many opportunities to showcase himself. Perhaps, he still needs to further improve his three-point shooting percentage.
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LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets)
LaMelo Ball ranks fifth, averaging 29.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.4 steals, and a shooting percentage of 42.3%. His salary is $35,147,000, ranking 37th. LaMelo Ball is one of the best young passers currently active, ranking fourth in scoring average in the league this season and 13th in assists. With good health this season, he has a good chance of being selected to the All-Star team again.
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Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic)
Franz Wagner ranks sixth, averaging 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and a shooting percentage of 46.5%. His salary is $7,007,092, ranking 209th. Wagner is a very versatile forward, integrated on both offense and defense. When Paolo Banchero was injured, he was the backbone of the team. Unfortunately, he has recently been injured as well.
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Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
Tyrese Haliburton ranks seventh, averaging 18.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and a shooting percentage of 44.1%. Haliburton's salary is $42,176,400, ranking 21st. Although Haliburton's passing ability is outstanding and he won an Olympic gold medal during the 2024 offseason, his overall strength among many young players is at most ranked between 15th and 25th. Ranking 7th is clearly an overestimation.
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Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Evan Mobley ranks eighth, averaging 19.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and a shooting percentage of 57.4%. His salary for this season is $11,227,657, ranking 148th. After obtaining a big contract during the 2024 offseason, he went all out for the 2024-25 season, almost doing everything. He can be said to be an efficient interior finisher, adept at cutting without the ball, with a three-point shooting percentage of 40.4%.
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Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
Cade Cunningham ranks ninth, averaging 24.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and a shooting percentage of 45.7%. His salary is $13,940,809, ranking 118th. This season, he has made rapid progress, stabilizing both offensively and defensively, with a three-point shooting percentage of 37%. Such a Cunningham finally has the demeanor of a team leader. Led by him, the Pistons have a chance to enter the playoffs.
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Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Darius Garland ranks tenth, averaging 21.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and a shooting percentage of 50.0%. Garland's salary is $36,725,670, ranking 28th. Garland has performed at an All-Star level this season, with a three-point shooting percentage as high as 42.9%. He is a very selfless point guard and has a chance to enter the All-Star game list this season.
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Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)
Tyrese Maxey ranks eleventh, averaging 25.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.1 steals, and a shooting percentage of 42.1% this season. His salary is $35,147,000, ranking 37th. Maxey, a disciple of Harden, has a pretty good style of play, but his shooting percentage has dropped significantly this season. In the last 12 games, he has performed outstandingly, averaging 27.4 points, 6.6 assists, and 2.3 steals, with a three-point shooting percentage of 38.2%.
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Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets)
Alperen Sengun ranks twelfth, averaging 19.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and a shooting percentage of 49.4%. His salary is $5,424,654, ranking 236th. Sengun's overall performance this season has been quite good. After suffering a major injury last season, he has managed to put up such numbers after returning, which is no easy feat. Moreover, he is an all-around center.
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Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Chet Holmgren ranks thirteenth, averaging 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.6 blocks, and a shooting percentage of 50.5%. His salary is $10,880,640, ranking 155th. Holmgren has missed some games due to injury issues. Despite his thin frame, he certainly has abilities.
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Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)
Scottie Barnes ranks fourteenth, averaging 20.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and a shooting percentage of 47.5%. His salary is $10,130,980, ranking 162nd. As the star player of the Raptors, Barnes has very high potential. His ranking should be in the top 10 because he is integrated on both offense and defense, very stable, and has great room for future growth.
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Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
Zion Williamson ranks fifteenth, averaging 22.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and a shooting percentage of 47.1%. His salary is $36,725,670, ranking 28th. Zion's physique, strength, and explosiveness give him huge potential. He has been hailed as the next LeBron James, or even stronger than LeBron James. Frequent injuries have also led to a gradual decline in outside expectations for him.
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Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
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