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NBA: Players Under 30 Who Would Be Elite in Any Era

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and forward Kevin Durant (35) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and forward Kevin Durant (35) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) looks on during the third quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 97-87. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) looks on during the third quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 97-87. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Position: Power Forward

Age: 22

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 238 pounds, 7’6″

Career Slash Line: .525/.111/.789

Career Averages: 33.5 MPG, 19.7 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.7 ORPG, 2.2 APG, 2.5 BPG, 1.3 SPG

The fastest rising star in the NBA is New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis. In just his third season, at 22 years old, Davis was named First Team All-NBA and led the Pelicans to an improbable postseason appearance.

Davis still has a long way to go before he’s in the Hall of Fame conversation, but even a half-decade before entering his prime, he’s already a transcendent player.

Alvin Gentry, who has coached former NBA MVPs Stephen Curry, Steve Nash and David Robinson, certainly has clout when it comes to this discussion.

Davis is a dominant defensive force who has led the league in blocks in consecutive seasons. He’s averaged upwards of 20 points and 10 rebounds per game in each of those campaigns, as well.

Simply put, Davis dominates on both ends.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, the 22-year-old is one of nine players to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in multiple seasons.

The others: Hakeem Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning and Elvin Hayes, in order of quantity.

That rare company is a testament to Davis’ greatness.

Next: An Uncanny Scorer's Touch