NBA 2018-19: 10 Best players Under-25

In the last season, we saw the elevation of players like Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell and Kyle Kuzma who not only became the stars of the franchise during the regular season, but were a reckoning force during the postseason as well.

It's only after 2003, the draft class which had the franchise-changing players like LeBron, Wade, Bosh, and Carmelo, now after nearly 15 years, this new crop of young NBA players have made havoc in the NBA.

Most of these players have been compared to previous NBA greats and that can only signal one thing- the future of NBA is excellent. The discussion for the next MVP has three players in this list and they are under 25 years of age.

#10 Clint Capela

Houston Rockets v Golden State Warriors - Game Six

The powerhouse of the unexpected defense of the Houston Rockets, Capela became the centerpiece of yet another surprising season by the Rockets squad.

One thing which D'Antoni has been criticized for is lack of defense. However, with the addition of CP3, the approach of the team changed and Rockets who were in the late 20's back in 2017 became a top 5 defensive team last year.

Capela further proved his worth by being the focal point of the Rockets pick and roll offense. He signed a 90 million extension, which is much lower than what he is worth and his contribution, Rockets are only paying him half of what they're paying Paul.

Still, Capela has a bright future ahead of him and he'll continue to be dominant on the defensive end and maybe fight for the All-Defense Team.

Points -13.9

Rebounds -10.8

Assists -0.8

Steals - 0.9

Blocks -1.9

#9 Devin Booker

Possibly the luckiest that the Phoenix Suns have gotten since Steve Nash. As the 13th pick, expectations from Booker were not high, but after his continuous 20 plus points performances and the splendid 70-point game he had a couple of years back, he established himself as one of the best young prospects.

Some NBA pundits are also claiming that Booker's game and style might be the resurgence of Kobe ' Mamba ' Bryant. There are also reports that Booker is training with his left hand due to injury, this should be good news as his skill level would increase massively.

Although there are three rookies ahead of Booker on this list, Booker does not deserve a higher spot on this list, the reason being he still hasn't reached the playoffs once. Booker still has the chance to prove himself, now that he is paired with the #1 pick, Centre Deandre Ayton.

Points - 24.9

Rebounds - 4.5

Assists - 4.7

Steals - 0.9

#8 Donovan Mitchell

The biggest surprise in the 2017 draft and in my opinion, the best since Kawhi Leonard. After losing Gordon Hayward to Celtics in the free agency, Utah were now looking for their new face of the franchise, someone who could play alongside a good supporting cast of Gobert, Rubio, Exum, and Ingles.

Mitchell, like Durant is a threat on offense and defense given his huge wingspan. Before the draft, analysts did like Donovan Mitchell's game and he was predicted to go around #14, that was because there were still gaps in his college career.

However, something nobody expected was that he would fill those gaps and then some in the just couple months’ time, this sheer grit and determination is also what makes him a danger on the floor to everybody else for years to come.

Points -20.5

Rebounds -3.7

Assists -3.7

Steals -1.5

Blocks -0.3

#7 Jayson Tatum

The Boston rookie surprised all the pundits and analysts in the NBA, by taking over the team in his first year itself. Although he is not as good a player as Kyrie or Hayward now, he will surely become one of the best players in the league very soon.

Tatum who just crossed the 20 year mark, was the best Celtic during the playoffs. Even during the ROTY voting, he was placed third, however, he contributed more to the team in their 55 wins and was great on the defensive end which allowed Boston to be the best defensive RTG team in the league.

Tatum might not have won the Rookie of the Year, but he surely has a superstar career ahead of him, possibly the best Duke player after Grant Hill.

Points - 13.9

Rebounds - 5.0

Assists - 1.6

Steals - 1.0

Blocks - 0.7

#6 Karl Anthony Towns

Portland Trail Blazers v Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota center finally reached the playoffs for the first time last season, but had a miserable performance against the Houston Rockets exiting the first round in 6 games. After a lot of news coming out of internal disagreements with Butler, Towns, and Wiggins, about how the younger teammates didn't value winning as much as stats, KAT's public perception changed.

This further enhanced when he was invisible in the playoffs and did not make the impact a #1 pick should have made. However, his performance in the playoffs doesn't mean that KAT is not a good player, his skill as he plays in the regular season has been so excellent that it earned him an All-Star selection and an All-NBA 3rd team selection.

KAT has just proven himself to be a regular season player and the next few seasons will be critical for him to win playoff series or else he is bound to fade away.

Points - 21.3

Rebounds - 12.3

Assists - 2.4

Steals - 0.8

Blocks - 1.4

5# Kristaps Porzingis

After being booed on draft night, this Latvian tower sure has proven himself to the NBA world and the New York fans. After Durant and Anthony Davis, he is one of the few players who are 7ft and taller and can still shoot from beyond the arc so well, as well as be quick which makes him a cutting threat too.

Porzingis finally came to be known as the face of the Knicks franchise after Carmelo Anthony was traded without returning any accolades to the team. However, Porzingis got his fame when he was named an All-Star last season, but fell to a bad ACL injury. Yet, this season he will come back slow and will let the rookie Knox to develop and hopefully both combined can be enough to lure a free agent to New York next season.

Points - 22.7

Rebounds - 6.6

Assists - 1.2

Steals - 0.8

Blocks - 2.4

#4 Ben Simmons

The rookie sensation displayed his exquisite skill in his first year itself, Simmons the 6 10" point guard proved himself worthy of the 'Future Lebron' title. As a first-year NBA player, he obviously had gaps/ flaws in his game, the biggest of which was his inability to shoot jump shots, something which cost him the Boston series in the playoffs.

Yet, the Australian youngster was able to dish 15 plus points every night. Simmons is also the only rookie to average 17,8 and 7 after the 'Big - O' and we all know how that career turned out.

Points - 15.8

Rebounds - 8.2

Assists - 8.1

Steals - 1.7

Blocks - 0.9

#3 Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets' center is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, Jokic regularly averages close to double-double figures. His skills also resemble that of a quick forward, he might be a part of only a few small tall players who average more steals than blocks.

Jokic also has the ability to adjust to the new small-ball game so well that last season during 2017-18 he shot 39% from beyond the arc. Jokic also deserved the All-Star spot, instead of Karl Anthony Towns last season, although both players averaged similar numbers Jokic had a bigger role and impact on his team, as well as his 10 triple-doubles, proved his efficiency on the floor.

Points - 18.5

Rebounds - 10.7

Assists - 6.1

Steals - 1.2

Blocks - 0.8

#2 Joel Embiid

Embiid, in what was essentially his third year in the NBA took his game to the next level. At the beginning of last season, Philadelphia were predicted to win just 40 games, and that was taking into account a healthy Markelle Fultz who would play like the #1 pick.

However, Embiid supported by Simmons proved the critics and pundits wrong and led the team to the 3rd spot in the Eastern Conference and came in second for the Defensive Player of the Year voting. Embiid has established himself as a star by making the All-Star team last year and his eyes set on the MVP award. Could he really be the next Hakeem?

Points - 22.9

Rebounds - 11.0

Assists - 3.2

Steals- 0.6

Blocks - 1.8

#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Greek Freak is just 23 years old and has led his team to the playoffs for three years straight and lead his team in the way. Giannis became the leader of the team and became an All-Star in his third year in the NBA only. The Greek Freak is few of those players who leads his team across the 5 base statistics, he did this in his second year itself.

He further has edged his name by being the second-best player after Anthony Davis who the GM's would pick if they were to start a team. Giannis also has accolades in his bag like 2017 Most Improved Player and 2x All-NBA second team. Giannis averaged in 2017-18. Giannis has the abilities to make it to the top All-Time NBA great lists, and this year with new coach Budenholzer the path ahead should be great.

Points - 26.9

Rebounds - 10.0

Assists - 4.8

Steals- 1.5

Blocks - 1.4