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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 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20) celebrates after making the game winning three point basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 98-95. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Archie Goodwin

Archie Goodwin is a difficult player to place in a piece like this. At his best, he’s a determined slasher with a lightning quick first step who can attack the rim off the dribble and get to the foul line. At his worst, he’s a poor perimeter shooter with tunnel vision when driving the basket and still makes too many mistakes on the defensive end.

That’s the quandary the Phoenix Suns are faced with: Is Archie Goodwin the young player who will never live up to his ceiling as a low-risk, high reward gamble? Or are his versatility, athleticism and drive worth keeping around, even with the current shooting guard logjam? Plays like his game-winner against the Atlanta Hawks certainly make it hard to completely give up on him.

With Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Ronnie Price all sidelined by injury, Goodwin became the de facto point guard for awhile, and though he struggled with turnovers and setting up teammates for good looks, he wasn’t as bad as you’d expect a 21-year-old to be in that position, especially since point guard is not even his regular position.

However, even in an injury-ravaged season — Goodwin’s third in the NBA — he’s struggled to improve on his perimeter shooting and defense. He’s averaging 9.2 points in 20.4 minutes per game, but he’s steadily being phased out of Earl Watson‘s rotation and between Knight, Devin Booker and the soon-to-arrive Bogdan Bogdanovic, the logjam at the 2-spot will continue next year too.

Next: No. 8