NBA: Top-10 Players To Build Around Under The Age of 25
By Jordan Yant
Jan 31, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks point guard Brandon Knight (11) and power forward Khris Middleton (22) sit on the bench against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic won 113-102. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Honorable Mention
When narrowing down a top 10, you cannot forget about the guys who barely missed the cut. There is great young talent all over the NBA and not everyone can hold their place in the top 10 young cornerstones.
One thing to also remember about this rankings: rookies are extremely hard to rank. Not only have you not seen them play one minute of real NBA action, but sometimes the sure things are not so sure. So if you are one of the “this rookie is the best building block,” then keep that in mind. It is hard to rank someone who hasn’t played a single NBA minute over someone who actually has an NBA résumé.
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Keeping that in mind, the best way to showcase the honorable mentions will be a first and second team of sorts.
First Team
- Nicola Vucevic
- Victor Oladipo
- Jabari Parker
- Brandon Knight
- Jahlil Okafor
Second Team
- Khris Middleton
- Jonas Valanciunas
- Elfrid Payton
- Harrison Barnes
- Tobias Harris
Close but no cigar
- Nerlens Noel
- Joel Embiid* (hard to rank since he never has played)
- Alec Burks
- D’Angelo Russell
- Emmanual Mudiay
With all those names not appearing on the top-10, it makes you wonder about a few things. First off, for a position that is nearly “dead”- the big men on this list are numerous (we will get to that more later).
Also, again I must remind everyone that these rankings do not include anyone 25-years-old OR older. So before you attempt to burn me at the stake for the rankings, please remember that.
Now, with all that out-of-the-way and the honorable mentions mentioned, it is time to look at the top-10 cornerstones under 25.
Next: No. 10