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Ranking The Top NBA Players By Age: Age 26

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) in the second half at Toyota Center. The Warriors won 114 to 110. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) in the second half at Toyota Center. The Warriors won 114 to 110. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 1, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) advances the ball during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Eric Bledsoe

DeRozan is a better scorer than Eric Bledsoe, and with the Phoenix Suns‘ starting point guard out for all but 31 games this season, it might seem unfair to have him higher on this list. But there’s the whole defensive end of the floor to consider here, especially as Bledsoe was in the middle of a career year prior to his season-ending meniscus tear.

Before his 2015-16 campaign was cut short, Bledsoe was averaging a career-high 20.4 points, 6.1 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 45.3 percent from the floor and 37.2 percent from three-point range. Throw in his ball-hounding tendencies on the defensive end and Bledsoe was quietly becoming one of the more well-rounded players in the NBA.

With a unique combination of strength, size and athleticism, Bledsoe is one of the league’s most impossible covers when he gets going. His leadership and charisma leave something to be desired, and his second meniscus tear in the last three seasons is definitely concerning, but when healthy, this is an All-Star caliber player worthy of his reputation as the “mini LeBron James.”

Next: No. 5