Back in April, ESPN released their annual top 25 NBA players under 25 list — ordered by future potential — that saw Trae Young not only left out of the top ten but also falling eight spots, coming in at #16.
Here’s the top 25:
1. Luka Doncic
2. Zion Williamson
3. LaMelo Ball
4. Donovan Mitchell
5. Jayson Tatum
6. De’Aaron Fox
7. Ben Simmons
8. Devin Booker
9. Bam Adebayo
10. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
11. Brandon Ingram
12. Jaylen Brown
13. Jamal Murray
14. Michael Porter Jr.
15. Ja Morant
16. Trae Young
17. Mikal Bridges
18. Domantas Sabonis
19. Anthony Edwards
20. Deandre Ayton
21. Tyrese Haliburton
22. John Collins
23. Jarrett Allen
24. Lonzo Ball
25. Collin Sexton
The list was compiled by averaging the individual rankings from three ESPN NBA analysts: Bobby Marks, Kevin Pelton, and Mike Schmitz. It was disrespectful to put Young at 16 before this playoff run, but now, it is laughable. There is exactly one player ahead of Ice Trae — Devin Booker — still left in the playoffs. Luka, Zion, Mitchell, and Tatum deserve to be on this list but to think Young isn’t in that same conversation is asinine.
Ball winning Rookie of the Year was impressive after missing so many games, but his status ahead of Young at this point is just ridiculous. SGA and Fox are both excellent young guards who will eventually lead their respective teams to the playoffs, but to say their future potential is higher than Young’s clearly reveals that these analysts don’t watch the Hawks. Young is a better shooter, per true shooting percentages, and ranks higher than Fox in many defensive metrics. Not to mention, Young is the best playmaker by far on this entire list.
It’s hilarious to me that the next time this list comes out, Young will likely be in the top five because the national media finally had to watch him play. John Collins being ranked 22nd is also criminally low, but this is nothing new for this Hawks team.Â
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