NBA: Top 25 Players Under 25 Years Old

May 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with guard Kyrie Irving (2) after a 106-101 win over the Chicago Bulls in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 31, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) dribbles the ball around Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

24. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte Hornets

Position: Small Forward

Age: 21

2014-15 Slash Line: .465/.000/.701

2014-15 Season Averages: 28.9 MPG, 10.9 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.7 BPG

Accolades: 2013 All-Rookie Second Team

Previously a laughing stock, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist turned things around in 2014-15. That may seem shocking, but it’s even more difficult to believe that people wrote off a player who’s still only 21 years old.

Whether or not the Charlotte Hornets overpaid to keep him, MKG is realizing his identity in the NBA.

Kidd-Gilchrist still has one of the ugliest jump shots in NBA history, but even that is developing relatively well. He improved his free throw percentage by 8.7 percent from 2013-14 to 2014-15, and maintained an efficient field goal percentage.

Most importantly, Kidd-Gilchrist has begun to find his niche.

MKG ranked No. 2 amongst small forwards in rebounds per game, with only hybrid—but really, power—forward Draymond Green topping him. He attacked the offensive glass, improved his ball-handling and became a threat with his dribble-penetration.

Kidd-Gilchrist needs to improve his defensive consistency against shooters, but he’s already becoming a force against slashers and an upside player worth monitoring for years to come.

Next: The Growing Pains