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NBA: Top 10 Players 21 And Under

By Colby Giacubeno

Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) celebrates after making a shot against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 118-115. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) celebrates after making a shot against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 118-115. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

10. D’Angelo Russell (19 years, 11 months), Los Angeles Lakers

2015-16 statistics: 12.3 PPG, 3.4 APG, 3.7 RPG, 13.58 PER

Any player that is under 20 years old and is chosen to play under the bright lights of Hollywood for the Los Angeles Lakers come into the NBA with immense expectations. For D’Angelo Russell, when the Lakers selected him with the second overall pick over a big man out of Duke, Jahlil Okafor, expectations rose for Russell to become the future point guard of the league.

Along with expectations that come with being the second overall pick, Russell walked into the farewell season of Kobe Bryant. Head coach Byron Scott has never been the type to show patience of growing pains for rookies, so the cards were stacked against Russell in that regard too.

After the first few week of the season, Scott came around to giving Russell more time, and it has benefitted both parties involved. Although playing Russell more hasn’t translated into wins (as the Lakers are 9-37), the experience will work wonders for Russell’s future.

Russell’s court vision has potential to be elite as he continues to learn the professional game. He has faced criticism about turning the ball over too much, but for a rookie point guard in the NBA, that is expected. His jump shot has improved to where he can be a threat on kick-outs for threes.

If the Lakers are able to keep Russell, Julius Randle, and Jordan Clarkson together, sky’s the limit in Los Angeles.

Next: No. 9