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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 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Emmanuel Mudiay (19 years, 10 months), Denver Nuggets

2015-16 statistics: 11.0 PPG, 5.7 APG, 3.4 RPG, 7.36 PER

Emmanuel Mudiay is one of the players who decided to spend their year outside of high school overseas in China after opting out of an uphill fight with the NCAA to be declared eligible to play for the SMU Mustangs. During his time spent with the Guandong Southern Tigers, he only played 12 total games after battling injuries.

Mudiay still put together a solid showing with averages of 18 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game.

The Nuggets took Mudiay with the seventh overall pick of the 2015 draft with hopes that he could be the future superstar in Denver. Similar to D’Angelo Russell, Mudiay has struggled with securing the ball and keeping his turnover rate down (3.8 TOVPG). His 5.8 assists per game average ranks 15th among point guards.

Mudiay recently returned to the starting lineup after dealing with an ankle injury that kept him out for 14 games. Now back as the floor general for the Nuggets, Mudiay looks to improve their 17-27 record despite a young and inexperienced roster.

Next: No. 8