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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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December 30, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) dunks the basketball against Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 30, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) dunks the basketball against Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Nerlens Noel (21 years, nine months), Philadelphia 76ers

2015-16 statistics: 10.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 15.06 PER

Nerlens Noel is another Kentucky product that entered the draft, despite tearing his ACL as a freshman in a February game against the University of Florida. Noel’s upside and defensive presence made him an attractive prospect from the beginning of his collegiate career.

New Orleans originally drafted Noel with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 draft, but traded him to Philadelphia for Jrue Holiday and the draft rights to Pierre Jackson. Noel’s career numbers-wise has been impressive. He has the ability to rack a double-double each time he steps on the floor.

His rim-protecting ability is one of the best in the NBA. In fact, his 1.6 blocks per game average ranks fifth among power forwards.

Ever since the arrival of Ish Smith (once again), the Sixers have been able to win three of the last 10 games, which is a huge improvement after starting the season 1-30. Noel and Smith have proven since last season that they are an effective duo in pick-and-roll situations, and the same has revealed since Smith was acquired on Christmas Eve.

Going forward, Noel should be a part of the future in Philadelphia’s plans. There have been conversations about when Joel Emiid makes his return of whether or not the Sixers will end up trading one of their three young big men in Noel, Embiid, and Jahlil Okafor.

Next: No. 5