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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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Jan 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid practices before a game against the Golden State Warriors at Wells Fargo Center. The Golden State Warriors won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Joel Embiid

Technically speaking, Joel Embiid should be at the very bottom of this list since he won’t play a single NBA game through the first two years of his career. But not many prospects are compared to Hakeem Olajuwon heading into the draft, so we’re going to give him the benefit of the doubt that he’ll be back healthy next season.

The Philadelphia 76ers will have a problem on their hands at that point, since Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor and Embiid would make for a crowded frontcourt rotation even if one of them was capable of spreading the floor with a perimeter shot.

But out of the three, Embiid has the highest ceiling and could make one of the other two expendable if he’s able to return and start living up to the pre-draft hype. At only 21 years old, a guy with Embiid’s potential shouldn’t be written off just yet.

Next: No. 14