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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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Mar 5, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) looks to pass against the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Andrew Wiggins

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s two-way versatility and his higher ceiling would put him at No. 1 on this list if we were talking about potential down the road. But in the here and now, Andrew Wiggins is the best player in his age group at 21 years old.

Averaging 20.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game this year, Wiggins has struggled with his perimeter shot once again this season, converting only 28.2 percent of his three-pointers. But he’s still shooting a respectable 45.1 percent from the floor, and even if he doesn’t do much else other than score right now, he’s going to be an excellent two-way player in this league.

For example, look no further than this phenomenal pass he slung to Ricky Rubio for a game-winning three-pointer in his most recent game:

Already this season, we’ve seen both him and Karl-Anthony Towns make clutch shots for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite their underwhelming 21-45 record, the Wolves have a promising future between KAT, Wiggins, LaVine and whatever youngster they snag in this year’s draft.

Wiggins has scored in double figures in all but three of his 65 games this season, making him Minnesota’s most consistent scoring option. It’s only a matter of time before Towns takes over as this team’s franchise star, but Wiggins deserves more credit for the player he already is.

More hoops habit: NBA: Ranking The League's Top 20-Year-Olds

If he can learn to distribute, crash the boards and continue to improve defensively, he’s going to be an all-around stud.