Every NBA team's best player under 25, ranked
10. C Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets (21)
The Houston Rockets have thrown numerous darts at the board, hoping to find their next generation of stars. This year, Alperin Sengun distinguished himself as one of them. The Turkish big man is a rising star who averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. He doesn't turn 22 years old until the offseason, but he's already one of the best young big men in the Western Conference since Nikola Jokic. Unfortunately for him, it's a crowded field....
9. C Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder (21)
Chet Holmgren missed his entire first season after being drafted out of Gonzaga, but the wait was worth it for the Oklahoma City Thunder, as the big man helped propel the franchise to the top seed in the Western Conference. The 7-foot-1 star started every game for the team—so much for durability concerns—averaging 16.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. He also broke Russell Westbrook's franchise record for total points as a rookie.
8. F Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors (22)
Left hand surgery marred the end of Scottie Barnes' season, but he remains an All-Star player and the crux of the Toronto Raptors' future plans. Before his surgery, Barnes averaged career highs of 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals in 60 games. The former Rookie of the Year also had four triple-doubles. He will turn 23 in August.
7. F Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic (21)
After years in the wilderness, Paolo Banchero was the guiding force to finally get the Orlando Magic back in the postseason, where they're a No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. His first taste of playoff basketball hasn't been easy, but his future in Orlando seems assured.
A year after winning Rookie of the Year, the Duke product averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game while showing strides from beyond the arc. By the time next season rolls around, he still won't even be 22.
6. G Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies (24)
Between the off-court issues that have led to suspensions and the season-ending injury Ja Morant suffered after this year's lengthy suspension, some of the shine is definitely off of Morant. That's too bad, because the Memphis Grizzlies guard is one of the more electric young players the league has seen in recent years.
The two-time All-Star has averaged at least 25 points per game in each of the past three seasons, though he only played nine games this year. Judging by how far the Grizzlies fell this year, it's clear a healthy (and wiser) Morant is the key to the franchise.