NBA’s Future Stars

Nick Jackson, Staff Writer

There are a large amount of young players in the league. But some are on the road to future stardom. Here are some of the best 10 players that are 23 or younger.

 

1.Giannis Antetokounmpo: Giannis is the obvious choice for the number one young player. He was a starter in this years NBA All Star Game. Giannis is also the only player in history to be in the top 20 in points, rebounding, steals, blocks, and assists. He’s also leading his team in all of those categories. Giannis is definitely definitely on track to being one of the best players in the next few years.

 

2.Karl Anthony Towns: Towns, arguably a top two center in the league, has started his career tremendously. He won 2016 NBA Rookie of the Year by a large margin and his play has only gotten better. He averages 25 points and 12 rebounds per game. He is 12th in the league in scoring and second among centers. Towns is a name to remember.

 

3.Devin Booker: Booker, who has received praise from the Mamba himself, Kobe Bryant, has been tearing it up this year. Since falling to the 13th overall pick in 2015, he is averaging 22 points per game and even made history with his 70 point game versus the East’s one seed, Boston Celtics. The 12 teams who picked before the Suns are certainly sure they made the wrong pick.   

 

4.Joel Embiid: Embiid who has been hampered by injuries, has the potential to be an all star. When Embiid is healthy he is one of the league’s best big men. Embiid averages 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks. If Embiid is able to stay healthy, he should be expected to be a dominate force in the league for a long time.

 

5.Kristaps Porzingis: Crying Knicks fan is eating his words right now. Even with all of the doubt while coming into the league. The “Unicorn” is showing his current skills and his potential to be a star. Porzingis gets his nickname from his unbelievable skill set. He has freakish length, a tall 7’3 frame, and can shoot the three as well as dominate in the paint. Porzingis is averaging 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

 

6.Andrew Wiggins: This former number one pick is highly underrated. Wiggins is averaging 23 points per game. Wiggins is full of potential, at only 22 years old, and with the skill level he is already playing at, is a sure pick to be a superstar.

 

7.Nikola Jokic: This 22 year old Siberian is tearing up the league right now. At 6’11 and 249 pounds, Jokic has the courtvision of a guard and the post skills of an elite big man. Jokic is surely surprising the league since being drafted in 2014. Jokic is averaging 16 points and 9 rebounds. He also has six triple doubles on the year. Nikola Jokic is a name to remember.

 

8.Marquese Chriss: The crazy athletic forward has had a surprising season. Chriss has caught the league off guard after averaging .32 from three point. As a 19 year old, expect that average to increase. To go along with his shooting Chriss also has athletic abilities that are a rarity. If he can continue to improve his offensive game, he has the potential to be a NBA All Star.

 

9.Buddy Hield: After winning the 2016 Naismith Trophy Award, Hield started his year with the Pelicans. While Hield was with the Pelicans he didn’t do as well as scouts and fans previously thought. But after the surprising move made by the Kings to send Demarcus Cousins to the Pelicans in exchange for Hield and others, Hield has been playing better. He has averaged 10 points per game and 1 assists. He is also shooting 38 percent from three.

 

  1. Malcolm Brogdon: The most surprising player of the year is Brogdon. He was drafted in the 36th pick in the second round in the 2016 draft. Since then, Brogdon has made a name for himself. He is currently second in the race for rookie of the year. With the combination of outside shooting and his athletic abilities, Brogdon has real potential.