JORDAN POOLE
GUARD
WIZARDS
Few players have experienced as radical a shift in public perception over the course of a year as new Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole. But how could the tide turn on Poole so quickly? Did he really get this bad this fast?
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25
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On a roster loaded with skill versatility in unusually sized bodies, Jalen Williams’ combination can connect everything else for the ascendent Oklahoma City Thunder.
THUNDER
WING
JALEN WILLIAMS
24
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Oklahoma City will start Chet Holmgren at the 5 spot. He will anchor the defense and tower above a much shorter roster. But for every traditional center trait he possesses, Holmgren displays an equally untraditional attribute for the position.
THUNDER
BIG
CHET HOLMGREN
23
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Scoot Henderson's aspirations lie well beyond his No. 3 pick trappings. He wants to win Rookie of the Year, he wants to win championships, and to embarrass every single obstacle to his success along the way. That's just how he's wired.
TRAIL BLAZERS
GUARD
SCOOT HENDERSON
22
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For the first time in his career, Jalen Green has enough around him to begin to make good on the promise Houston saw when they selected second overall. And for his sake, he better take advantage.
rockets
GUARD
jalen green
21
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Nic Claxton is fresh off a career-high year in nearly every statistical category. Now, the 24-year-old center enters the final year of his contract, looking to get paid with a capital "P".
nets
big
nic claxton
16
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Keegan Murray is ready for more and his development this season is going to raise the ceiling for the Kings, particularly in the playoffs. He's a wild card for Sacramento in a way that absolutely captures the imagination.
kings
forward
keegan murray
17
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Devin Vassell rarely gets the respect he deserves as one of the league's elite up-and-coming prospects. But he’s damn good — and he doesn’t need the ball in his hands to score.
spurs
wing
devin vassell
18
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Blessed with a high vantage point, Josh Giddey reads the floor with the power of a high-speed computer. He's constantly reading every cut or motion and anticipating the defense before delivering on-time, on-target darts.
THUNDER
WING
josh giddey
19
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Around the rim, Alperen Sengun can unleash a deep bag of tricks. The mid-range and 3-point jumpers are a work in progress, but he has touch and the basketball I.Q. to one day become a full-on offensive centerpiece.
rockets
big
alperen sengun
20
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Few up-and-coming stars in the league are renowned for their defense. But Jaren Jackson Jr. is an exception, impacting the game last season on the defensive end in a way no one else in the league could match.
grizzlies
big
jaren jackson jr.
6
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Cade Cunningham has impressive physical tools of his own and is still raw, having missed all but 12 games last season with a shin injury. But he's already demonstrated a tantalizing ability to control a game through skill and will.
pistons
wing
cade cunningham
7
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One of the very best in the league — that’s what a fully realized version of Zion Williamson can ultimately be for the Pelicans. To do that, he’ll first need to stay healthy, which will require him to take better care of his body.
pelicans
forward
zion williamson
8
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Tyrese Maxey is the bridge between the present and the future of Sixers basketball. If Philadelphia rebuilds, it will be with him as the centerpiece. If they try to contend post-Harden, it will be with him as the true second fiddle to Joel Embiid.
76ers
guard
tyrese maxey
9
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Evan Mobley is a defensive cheat code the Cleveland Cavaliers are still learning to unlock. This could be the year he makes the leap to two-way superstardom.
cavaliers
big
evan mobley
10
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The NBA loves big, versatile, two-way wings. Franz Wagner checks every box, and the Orlando Magic are about to reap the benefits.
magic
wing
franz wagner
11
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A healthy LaMelo Ball with shooting and athleticism around him is almost a guaranteed top-10 offense. Now he'll try to turn highlights and high-scoring totals into a playoff run.
hornets
GUARD
lamelo ball
12
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Paolo Banchero established his floor with a huge season. How can he expand his game in his second season and help the Orlando Magic and the rest of their young core get back to the postseason?
magic
forward
paOlo banchero
13
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Victor Wembanyama was widely hailed as the best NBA Draft prospect since LeBron James. Maybe ever. He's that good, that unique. Now we finally get to see what he can do on an NBA court.
spurs
big
victor wembanyama
14
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Scottie Barnes presents loads of tantalizing potential. His size, agility, handle and vision are incredibly unique. He is a disruptive defender and still barely scratching the surface at that end of the floor.
raptors
forward
scottie barnes
15
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Short of an MVP, Luka Doncic has accomplished everything expected of him and then some. A championship is looming challenge and his hunt for one will shape the Mavericks and the entire NBA.
mavericks
wing
luka doncic
1
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Still only 22 years old, Anthony Edwards has already established himself as one of the premier two-way wings in the NBA. Now it's time make his mark in the postseason.
timberwolves
GUARD
anthony edwards
2
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Tyrese Haliburton is helping build a new iteration of the Indiana Pacers — an up-tempo, running, gunning offense that is bringing fun back to a fanbase that hasn't had much to cheer about the past few years.
pacers
guard
tyrese haliburton
3
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In the span of a few years, Ja Morant has gone from unrecruited to must-see TV. Now he'll have to put offcourt issues behind him and lead the Grizzlies farther than they've ever been.
grizzlies
guard
ja morant
4
VIEW PROFILE
The Cleveland Cavaliers have championship aspirations and they rest heavily on the ability of Darius Garland to pair with Donovan Mitchell, driving the offense with his elite shooting and creation ability.
cavaliers
GUARD
darius garland
5
FanSided’s NBA 25-under-25 is a celebration of the best young talent the NBA has to offer, ranking the best players in the NBA under the age of 25 and exploring what makes them a must-watch performer.
START MORE NBA ABOUT
JORDAN POOLE
25
WIZARDS
guard
Few players have experienced as radical a shift in public perception over the course of a year as new Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole. But how could the tide turn on Poole so quickly? Did he really get this bad this fast?
VIEW PROFILE
thunder
wing
jalen williams
On a roster loaded with skill versatility in unusually sized bodies, Jalen Williams’ combination can connect everything else for the ascendent Oklahoma City Thunder.
VIEW PROFILE
24
thunder
big
chet holmgren
OKC will start Chet Holmgren at the 5 spot. He will anchor the defense and tower above a much shorter roster. But for every traditional center trait he possesses, Holmgren displays an equally untraditional attribute for the position.
VIEW PROFILE
23
trail blazers
guard
scoot henderson
Scoot Henderson's aspirations lie well beyond his No. 3 pick trappings. He wants to win Rookie of the Year, championships, and to embarrass every single obstacle to his success along the way. That's just how he's wired.
VIEW PROFILE
22
rockets
guard
jalen green
For the first time in his career, Jalen Green has enough around him to begin to make good on the promise Houston saw when they selected second overall. And for his sake, he better take advantage.
VIEW PROFILE
21
nets
big
nic claxton
Nic Claxton is fresh off a career-high year in nearly every statistical category. Now, the 24-year-old center enters the final year of his contract, looking to get paid with a capital "P".
VIEW PROFILE
16
kings
forward
keegan murray
Keegan Murray is ready for more and his development this season is going to raise the ceiling for the Kings, particularly in the playoffs. He's a wild card for Sacramento in a way that absolutely captures the imagination.
VIEW PROFILE
17
spurs
wing
devin vassell
Devin Vassell rarely gets the respect he deserves as one of the league's elite up-and-coming prospects. But he’s damn good — and he doesn’t need the ball in his hands to score.
VIEW PROFILE
18
thunder
wing
josh giddey
Blessed with a high vantage point, Josh Giddey reads the floor with the power of a high-speed computer. He's constantly reading every cut or motion and anticipating the defense before delivering on-time, on-target darts.
VIEW PROFILE
19
rockets
big
alperen sengun
Around the rim, Alperen Sengun can unleash a deep bag of tricks. The mid-range and 3-point jumpers are a work in progress, but he has touch and the basketball I.Q. to one day become a full-on offensive centerpiece.
VIEW PROFILE
20
magic
wing
franz wagner
The NBA loves big, versatile, two-way wings. Franz Wagner checks every box, and the Orlando Magic are about to reap the benefits.
VIEW PROFILE
11
hornets
guard
lamelo ball
A healthy LaMelo Ball with shooting and athleticism around him is almost a guaranteed top-10 offense. Now he'll try to turn highlights and high-scoring totals into a playoff run.
VIEW PROFILE
12
magic
forward
paolo banchero
Paolo Banchero established his floor with a huge season. How can he expand his game in his second season and help the Orlando Magic and the rest of their young core get back to the postseason?
VIEW PROFILE
13
spurs
big
victor wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama was widely hailed as the best NBA Draft prospect since LeBron James. Maybe ever. He's that good, that unique. Now we finally get to see what he can do on an NBA court.
VIEW PROFILE
14
raptors
forward
scottie barnes
Scottie Barnes presents loads of tantalizing potential. His size, agility, handle and vision are incredibly unique. He is a disruptive defender and still barely scratching the surface at that end of the floor.
VIEW PROFILE
15
grizzlies
big
jaren jackson jr.
Few up-and-coming stars in the league are renowned for their defense. But Jaren Jackson Jr. is an exception, impacting the game last season on the defensive end in a way no one else in the league could match.
VIEW PROFILE
6
pistons
wing
cade cunningham
Cade Cunningham has impressive physical tools of his own and is still raw, having missed all but 12 games last season with a shin injury. But he's already demonstrated a tantalizing ability to control a game through skill and will.
VIEW PROFILE
7
pelicans
forward
zion williamson
One of the very best in the league — that’s what a fully realized version of Zion Williamson can ultimately be for the Pelicans. To do that, he’ll first need to stay healthy, which will require him to take better care of his body.
VIEW PROFILE
8
76ers
guard
tyrese mAXEY
Tyrese Maxey is the bridge between the present and the future of Sixers basketball. If Philly rebuilds, it will be with him as the centerpiece. If they try to contend post-Harden, it will be with him as the true second fiddle to Joel Embiid.
VIEW PROFILE
9
cavaliers
big
evan mobley
Evan Mobley is a defensive cheat code the Cleveland Cavaliers are still learning to unlock. This could be the year he makes the leap to two-way superstardom.
VIEW PROFILE
10
mavericks
wing
luka doncic
Short of an MVP, Luka Doncic has accomplished everything expected of him and then some. A championship is looming challenge and his hunt for one will shape the Mavericks and the entire NBA.
VIEW PROFILE
1
timberwolves
guard
anthony edwards
Still only 22 years old, Anthony Edwards has already established himself as one of the premier two-way wings in the NBA. Now it's time make his mark in the postseason.
VIEW PROFILE
2
pacers
guard
tyrese haliburton
Tyrese Haliburton is helping build a new iteration of the Indiana Pacers — an up-tempo, running, gunning offense that is bringing fun back to a fanbase that hasn't had much to cheer about the past few years.
VIEW PROFILE
3
grizzlies
guard
ja morant
In the span of a few years, Ja Morant has gone from unrecruited to must-see TV. Now he'll have to put offcourt issues behind him and lead the Grizzlies farther than they've ever been.
VIEW PROFILE
4
cavaliers
guard
darius garland
The Cleveland Cavaliers have championship aspirations and they rest heavily on the ability of Darius Garland to pair with Donovan Mitchell, driving the offense with his elite shooting and creation ability.
VIEW PROFILE
5
THE RANKINGS
ABOUT
A panel of our contributors ranked every player who is likely to play in the NBA this season, under the age of 25, on a scale from 1-10 based on how valuable we expect them to be during the 2023-24 season. The ranking criteria are purposefully a little bit vague so voters could define value for themselves, possibly including generating buzz and fan excitement, in addition to just production. We used Basketball-Reference‘s age parameters which means we only considered players who players who would still be 24 or younger on Feb. 1, 2024.
MORE CONTENT
WHAT WE GOT WRONG ON LAST YEAR's 25 UNDER 25 RANKINGS
the 10 Young Players Who Just Missed the 25 Under 25 rankings
PRODUCED BY
Ian Levy
CONTENT BY
Chris Kline, Ian Levy, Mat Issa, Andrew Bernucca, Kyle Delaney, Lior Lampert
DESIGN BY
Michael Castillo
MORE CONTENT
the 10 Young Players Who Just Missed the 25 Under 25 rankings
THE RANKINGS
START RANKINGS MORE NBA ABOUT