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Ranking The Top NBA Players By Age: Age 22

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 27, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) blocks a shot by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) blocks a shot by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns small forward T.J. Warren (12) shoots the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

9. T.J. Warren

T.J. Warren‘s second NBA season fell short of the hype most Phoenix Suns fans were heaping on. Entering the season, Warren was a legitimate threat to overthrow P.J. Tucker for the starting job at small forward, and his undeniable scoring ability figured to make him a dark horse Sixth Man of the Year candidate even if he was relegated to bench duty all season long.

Unfortunately, a fracture in his right foot required surgery and effectively ended his season after 47 games. Though he averaged 11.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game — all career highs — this season has left such a bitter taste in everyone’s mouths that Warren’s marginal improvement will likely be overlooked.

However, Warren’s potential as a regular bucket-getter is still clear. He needs to shore up his defense and learn to be a little more consistent with his assertiveness on the offensive end, but Warren shot an efficient 50.1 percent from the field this year and drastically upgraded his three-point shot, converting 40 percent of his 1.5 long range attempts per game.

Performances like his 29-point, nine-rebound outing against the Thunder or his 28-point, 12-for-16 night against the Warriors show his ability to elevate his game against some of the league’s best teams, so even though his season ended prematurely, T.J. Warren should be on more people’s radars.

Next: No. 8