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Ranking The Top NBA Players By Age: Age 21

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks to pass the ball in front of Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) during the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks to pass the ball in front of Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) during the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 28, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; (Caption Correction) Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) dunks the ball against Dallas Mavericks center Salah Mejri (50) at American Airlines Center. The Mavs beat the Timberwolves 128-101. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Zach LaVine

Blake Griffin and Zach LaVine are completely different types of players, and no one would be foolish enough to mention them in the same sentence. But they do have one thing in common: Originally pegged as little more than high-flying dunkers, both Griffin and LaVine have proven themselves to be so much more than that, even if it’s taken the rest of the world a bit of time to realize it.

Now in his second season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, LaVine is inching closer to a breakout year if he’s not there already, averaging 13.5 points, 3.1 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 26.4 minutes per game. Even better, he’s shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point range — far more efficient marks than most expected from him this early in his career.

Head coach Sam Mitchell had his bouts of insanity where he’d play LaVine out of position at point guard — something that should never, ever, EVER happen again. But at his natural 2-spot, LaVine has tremendous lately, especially in the starting lineup with Andrew Wiggins switching over to the 3-spot.

LaVine has mostly gone viral because he’s one of the greatest Slam Dunk Contest champs we’ve ever seen, but people need to start recognizing that he’s quietly becoming a very good basketball player as well.

Next: No. 2