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Ranking The Top NBA Players By Age: Age 19

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) alongside Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Heat defeated the Suns 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) alongside Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Heat defeated the Suns 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 30, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (3) shoots against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Pistons 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Stanley Johnson

Heading into the season, I was fully on board with starting rookie Stanley Johnson over Marcus Morris on the wing. But the Detroit Pistons were more competitive than some people thought they’d be, and Johnson wasn’t as NBA-ready as he appeared during NBA Summer League and preseason action.

Still, Johnson has carved out a definitive role off the bench, averaging 9.0 points and 4.2 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game. He’s played in 57 games and has had a couple of affirmative outings, including a career night in a Feb. 4 win against the Knicks where he tallied 22 points (7-12 FG), nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block in 44 minutes.

However, there’s still definitely room for improvement. Johnson has a high ceiling as an athletic two-way player, but his shooting efficiency could really use some work. The former Wildcat is only shooting 39.1 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from three-point territory while posting a 9.7 PER.

He’s missed the last seven games due to a shoulder injury, though it’s nothing serious. Stanley Johnson is yet another talent from this surprisingly deep 2015 NBA Draft class that could emerge as one of its best products down the road, but for the time being, his shooting woes place him in fourth on the list among the 19-year-olds.

Next: No. 3