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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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Jan 19, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) reacts from the court against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Josh Richardson

Everyone will remember the Miami Heat‘s involvement in the 2015 NBA Draft because of Justise Winslow falling right into their lap at No. 10, but Pat Riley‘s selection of Josh Richardson with the 40th overall pick is turning out to be an underrated move that’s aided the team’s injury-depleted backcourt.

On the season, the Heat’s other rookie is averaging only 4.5 points in 16.7 minutes per game, and he’s played in just 36 games. But he’s also knocked down 41.8 percent of his three-pointers, and since Erik Spoelstra turned to him after the All-Star Break, he’s been averaging 9.1 points and 2.5 rebounds in 26.0 minutes per game on outstanding .538/.600/.700 shooting splits.

Is that kind of efficiency sustainable? Definitely not. But Richardson has stepped up in the backcourt for a team missing Tyler Johnson and Beno Udrih, and it’s never a bad thing when a 22-year-old rookie excels while playing meaningful minutes for a playoff-bound team.

Next: No. 14