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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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Mar 9, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) on the court against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated Memphis 116-96. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart is a serviceable three-point shot away from being one of the NBA’s most promising two-way guards at age 22. Unfortunately, his dismal 27.2 percent mark on an irresponsible 4.2 three-point attempts per game has made it impossible to justify starting him in the backcourt over Isaiah Thomas or Avery Bradley.

That being said, there’s no rush with Smart’s development, since he’s already a bulldog on the defensive end who will only get better on offense as more time passes. In the meantime, he’s averaging a well-rounded 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.7 steals in 27.1 minutes per game.

Smart is shooting an ugly 35.6 percent from the field in his second season, but he leads all rotation players aside from Kelly Olynyk and Jonas Jerebko in defensive rating (98.7). For a team that’s built its identity on the defensive end, the Boston Celtics can afford to be patient as Smart tries to become a semi-efficient player on the offensive end.

It won’t happen overnight, but games like his 26-point outing in a win against the Thunder or his 10-11-11 triple-double in a victory over the Suns show that he’s just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential.

Next: No. 6