25 Under 25 25-under-25, NBA

A panel of our contributors ranked every player who is likely to play in the NBA this season, under the age of 25, on a scale from 1-10 based on how valuable we expect them to be during the 2025-26 season. The ranking criteria are purposefully a little bit vague so voters could define value for themselves, possibly including generating buzz and fan excitement, in addition to just production. We used Basketball-Reference‘s age parameters which means we only considered players who players who would still be 24 or younger on Feb. 1, 2026.

PRODUCED BY Ian Levy CONTENT BY Ian Levy, Chris Kline, Eamon Cassels, Jordanna Clark, Quinn Everts, Will Eudy, Terrence Jordan, Lior Lampert, Matt Moore, Max Ogden, Brad Rowland, Brennan Sims & Tyler Watts DESIGN BY Michael Castillo

Zaccharie Risacher

wing / hawks

Risacher was the best rookie in the NBA in the second half of the season and is ready to help the Hawks fight for the playoffs.

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The Rankings

FanSided’s NBA 25-under-25 spotlights the next generation of superstars, ranking the league’s best young players and revealing what makes them must-watch performers.

Dereck Lively III

big / mavericks

Lively is a budding young big man who’s polished well beyond his years, especially at a typically slow-developing position.

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Evan Mobley

big / cavaliers

Mobley is the prototypical modern-day big man who is on an elite trajectory, especially as a defender.

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Chet Holmgren

big / thunder

All Chet Holmgren has to do is stay available, and the individual accolades will come pouring in this season.

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Alperen Şengün

big / rockets

What if Kevin Durant isn't the best player on the Rockets this season? KD can have the headlines. The time is Şengun's.

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Jalen Williams

forward / thunder

At only 24 years old, Williams is already an NBA champion and has a case as the best second option in the NBA.

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Franz Wagner

forward / magic

Franz Wagner has the complete package... except for one little thing. And if he improves that? He's going to be elite.

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Amen Thompson

wing / rockets

Amen Thompson gave us a sneak preview last season. Now comes his star-making moment.

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Jalen Johnson

forward / hawks

The Hawks will be good this season. Jalen Johnson holds the keys to making them great.

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Cooper Flagg

forward / mavericks

Cooper Flagg joins the Mavs as one of the most fully-formed, NBA-ready teenagers in recent memory.

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Dyson Daniels

wing / hawks

Already among the most disruptive defenders in NBA history, Daniels is just getting started

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Scottie Barnes

forward / raptors

Barnes is a do-it-all forward with a unique career trajectory who is difficult to assess when ranking the league's brightest stars.

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LaMelo Ball

guard / hornets

LaMelo Ball is wildly talented, unpredictable and positively fearless.

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Jalen Suggs

guard / magic

An elite perimeter disruptor who might be the best ball-pressure defender in the league when healthy. What happens if he can find some offensive improvement along with the Magic?

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Brandon Miller

wing / hornets

Better luck on the health front — and a better team around him — could help Brandon Miller reach All-Star heights.

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Ausar Thompson

wing / pistons

Thompson is essential, and a healthy season in 2025-26, on a Pistons team with higher hopes than they've had in over a decade, should make that obvious.

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Christian Braun

wing / nuggets

There's value in knowing exactly who you are in the NBA. Christian Braun gets it and never demands more. And who he is is a player who does his job better than almost anyone.

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Stephon Castle

guards / spurs

Castle is the reigning Rookie of the Yearand and his versatility could be key to the Spurs taking the leap.

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Jaden Ivey

guard / pistons

Jaden Ivey showed flashes of brilliance last season. Now he'll need to show he can stay healthy and keep improving.

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Jared McCain

guard / 76ers

Jared McCain has battled through injuries — a rite of passage for new Sixers — but his talent will shine through eventually.

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Jalen Duren

big / pistons

Jalen Duren isn’t a unicorn. But he’s not limited, either.

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Victor Wembanyama

big / spurs

Wemby is only beginning to tap his considerable potential, which is bad news for the rest of the NBA.

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Anthony Edwards

guard / timberwolves

Edwards has done more before the age of 25 than a vast majority of players will accomplish in their entire careers.

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Cade Cunningham

wing / pistons

Cade Cunningham is one of the best young players in the league, and proof that a little patience can go a long way.

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Paolo Banchero

forward / magic

Paolo Banchero is only entering his fourth season, but he's already on track to become one of the greatest players in franchise history.

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