1. Karl-Anthony Towns
There’s no doubt about it: In terms of potential AND in terms of value in the here and now, Karl-Anthony Towns tops the list among 20-year-old NBA players.
As the undisputed frontrunner in the Rookie of the Year race, Towns has immediately cemented himself as the foundation of the Minnesota Timberwolves moving forward. He’s averaging 17.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while posting absurdly efficient shooting splits of .545/.344/.820.
Towns ranks first among all rookies in scoring, first in rebounding, second in blocks and fourth in field goal percentage.
The Wolves may only be 21-45 on the season, but Towns is on pace to join Wilt Chamberlain, Walt Bellamy, David Robinson, Bob Pettit and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history to average those numbers with a PER of at least 23.0 (though blocks weren’t recorded during Chamberlain, Bellamy, Pettit and Baylor’s time).
More hoops habit: NBA: Ranking The League's Top 19-Year-Olds
At only 20 years old, Towns is having a rookie season reminiscent of Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal and Anthony Davis. His rise into the category of top-10 NBA superstar is only a matter of time, since his abilities as a stretch-5 are only starting to blossom now.