Hoops Habit
Fansided

Ranking The Top NBA Players By Age: Age 24

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 18, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket as Utah Jazz power forward Derrick Favors (15) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 89-69. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket as Utah Jazz power forward Derrick Favors (15) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 89-69. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard (11) shoots the ball over Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Meyers Leonard

Meyers Leonard struggled in the limited time he spent in the starting lineup this season (10 games), but head coach Terry Stotts quickly addressed the issue by bringing him off the bench, which has allowed him to develop a more consistent rhythm with the second unit. He hasn’t had the breakout season that C.J. McCollum’s enjoyed, but he’s regained his confidence over the last few months.

On the season, Leonard is averaging 8.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in just 21.9 minutes per game, but he’s also shooting 37.7 percent from three-point range. He’s a bonafide stretch-4 or stretch-5 at 7’1″, and though he still makes plenty of young player mistakes, his consistency will get better with time.

Leonard is currently dealing with a re-dislocated shoulder, his season high is a meager 23 points and at some point, the Blazers will need to start him. But Stotts is too good a coach to not figure out how to use him — assuming the Portland Trail Blazers keep him this summer in free agency, of course.

Next: No. 10