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Ranking the top 50 NBA players of the 2021-22 season: 20-11

By Corey Rausch

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 17: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts in the second half of game five of the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks at Footprint Center on July 17, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Bucks defeated the Suns 123-119. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 17: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts in the second half of game five of the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks at Footprint Center on July 17, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Bucks defeated the Suns 123-119. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Top 50 NBA players ranked: 14. Trae Young

Previous Rank: 24

No player flipped the narrative on their current standing from a year ago than Trae Young. Before the season there was plenty of comparison to fellow draft mate Luka Doncic. There was wonder if the additions to the roster were enough to support a guard on the rise but not yet capable of making it to the playoffs. Rather quickly, most of the questions about his game have been answered.

Young embraced the role of the wrestling heel, going into Madison Square Garden and bowing on the grandest stage that had been made available to him. He played to the crowd and showed that he was far from afraid of the moment. After failing to be named to the All-Star Game, after seeing a coach replaced midseason, Young knew that it was all about him and his teammates.

Over the course of the three rounds Young and the Atlanta Hawks appeared in the third-year guard averaged 28.8 points, 9.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. Efficiency is the next step for Young as a player, while the team around him continues to develop. Young showed he is ready to take center stage as one of the faces of the league going forward. The best is truly yet to come.