As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches, we here at CBS Sports compiled our annual Top 100 NBA player rankings. There’s so many different ways to analyze a list like that, from who the biggest risers and fallers are from the previous year, to breaking down which teams have the most representatives.
The top of the list is filled with established All-Stars and future Hall of Famers, but littered throughout the Top 100 are young players who haven’t reached their prime yet. With a league that continues to skew younger these days, we decided to pinpoint the NBA’s top 10 players who are 22 and younger entering the 2024-25 season.
These are players who range from having the potential to become the face of the league and multiple-time All-Stars, to key role players on championship-level rosters. It’s no surprise that 20-year-old Victor Wembanyama tops this list, as he earned the No. 12 spot in our overall ranking. One player who just missed the Top 10 on this 22 and younger ranking is Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., who occupies the No. 100 spot in our overall ranking.
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The rest of the list has familiar faces — and does not feature any rookies — but where they rank may surprise you.
Age: 22
Top 100 rank: 92. Green is supremely talented and an unbelievable athlete, even by NBA standards. Whether he can be an efficient or winning player, however, is still in question. His closing stretch last season was as good as he’s looked as a pro, and offered evidence that the answer can be yes, on both fronts. The potential dilemma for the Rockets, though, is that Green’s best play coincided with Alperen Sengun’s absence due to a season-ending knee injury. This feels like a make-or-break season for Green’s future in Houston. — Jack Maloney
Age: 20
Top 100 rank: 90. Lively’s stats may not seem like they warrant a place on this list, especially after two other incoming sophomores above him put up monster numbers in their rookie campaigns. But what Lively lacks in counting stats, he makes up for in all of the intangibles. He regularly posts the highest plus-minus on the Mavericks, and he’s the ultimate lob threat in pick-and-rolls with Doncic and Irving. He is a tenacious rebounder on both ends and gives the Mavericks some much-needed rim protection when he checks in the game. It may not seem like it when you look at the box score, but Lively is routinely Dallas’ third- or fourth-most important player every night. — Jasmyn Wimbish
Age: 21
Top 100 rank: No. 83. The Warriors have all resisted Kuminga as a trade chip, believing he can be not just a future tentpole but a key piece of a team that still believes it can make one last run at honest contention before Stephen Curry ages out. This is his year to really prove it after averaging over 16 points per game in just 26 minutes a night last season. A top-tier athlete, Kuminga is a handful to keep out of the lane and he finished at the rim at a better clip than LeBron James. The 3-point shooting dipped last season, but he was at 37% two years ago. If Kuminga gets back closer to that number, he should be a 20 PPG guy. — Brad Botkin
Age: 22
Top 100 rank: 80 Johnson averaged 16 points, eight boards, and almost four assists last season. Now comes the leap into, dare I say, fringe All-Star territory? He has that kind of ability, and he won’t be lacking for opportunity. The Hawks love him, and rightfully so. Reports have indicated he was their only untouchable player this summer. He can jump out of the gym and shoot from deep. He can really pass, too. He’s the kind of long, athletic defender everyone covets. Johnson just needs to stay healthy. If he does, his stock is going to soar. — Brad Botkin
Age: 21
Top 100 rank: 66. The ceiling is incredibly high. Miller doesn’t turn 22 until November, and he showed as a rookie that he was ready for everything the Hornets threw at him. He often guarded the opposing team’s top perimeter player, and, with LaMelo Ball out for most of the season and Terry Rozier traded in January, he often functioned as Charlotte’s primary playmaker. The 6-foot-7 wing profiles as a franchise cornerstone, a guy who can create for himself and others and credibly defend multiple positions. Let’s see how big his second-year leap is. — James Herbert
Age: 22
Top 100 rank: No. 49. Cunningham’s already come a long way from his rookie season where, despite high averages, he struggled heavily with efficiency. He’s coming off a career year, but his performance went largely unnoticed because he played on a 14-win Pistons team. That’s a shame, too, because Cunningham displayed all the tools of a franchise player. He shot the ball incredibly well from everywhere, including 35% from 3-point range, which was an important breakthrough in his development. He also ranked ninth in the league among guards in potential assists, showing that he’s making the right passes and reads; his teammates just aren’t making the shots. With a new coach, Cunningham can build upon last season and gain more attention as he’s one of the most promising young players in the league. — Jasmyn Wimbish
4. Alperen Sengun, Rockets
Age: 22
Top 100 rank: No. A breakout season was unfortunately cut short for Sengun, but he still managed to secure the third spot for Most Improved Player. Often compared to Nikola Jokic, Sengun showcases exceptional court vision and passing skills reminiscent of the three-time MVP. However, he possesses his own unique style of play that positions him as a key building block for Houston’s future. Sengun’s combination of strength and finesse around the rim makes him a challenging player to defend when he’s on the move. Additionally, his prowess as a rebounder and ability to set up teammates for easy shots further solidify his value to the team. While his first three years statistically align with Jokic’s achievements, Sengun may not be on the same trajectory for perennial MVP status. Nonetheless, being mentioned in the same company as a future Hall of Famer is a testament to his potential.
Holmgren, who made a delayed debut, seamlessly integrated into an Oklahoma City team poised for long-term success. Standing at 7-foot-1, he surprises with guard-like handling skills and the ability to score from beyond the arc or in the paint. Renowned for his rim protection abilities, Holmgren showcases exceptional timing in blocking shots, a rare feat for a player his age. With a promising career trajectory, he is on track to become a fixture at the All-Star Game and earn end-of-season accolades such as All-NBA and All-Defense honors.
Banchero, following his Rookie of the Year win, demonstrated significant improvement in efficiency in the subsequent season. Despite his inconsistent 3-point shooting, he excels in muscling his way to the rim and scoring from mid-range. His first All-Star nod and leadership in guiding Orlando to its first playoff appearance in years highlight his impact on the team.
At just 20 years old, Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs showcased an unprecedented performance post-All-Star break, averaging impressive statistics across multiple categories. His rookie season with a team focused on rebuilding showcased his potential as a transformative player in the NBA. Wembanyama’s unique blend of size and skill positions him as a game-changer, setting the stage for a groundbreaking evolution in the sport. His exceptional post-break performance hints at even greater potential in the years to come, solidifying his status as a top player for the foreseeable future. following sentence:
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