Our annual Top 100 NBA player rankings have once again stirred excitement and debate among basketball enthusiasts. This year's list, reflecting an aggregate projection, has introduced a series of significant shifts, leaps, and new entries that are bound to keep discussions lively.
Rising Stars
Victor Wembanyama's meteoric rise stands out as one of the most significant movements on the list. Catapulting from the 58th spot to a remarkable 12th, Wembanyama's post-All-Star break performance has been nothing short of sensational. Averaging 23.5 points, 12 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 4.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game, his impact on the court has been pivotal. Sam Quinn remarked, "We're not just talking about the next great NBA player here. We're talking about the sort of player this sport has never seen, the next step in its evolution." Quinn further adds, "He is the ultimate marriage of size and skill, the culmination of everything this sport has been building towards for the past decade."
Chet Holmgren is another player making noteworthy strides, moving from the 68th position to 30th. His consistent performance has cemented his status as a future star. "Holmgren is on a career trajectory to be a mainstay at the All-Star Game, as well as a frequenter of end-of-season awards ballots like All-NBA and All-Defense," said Jasmyn Wimbish. Holmgren's versatility is his strength, as Jack Maloney notes, "Holmgren has the on-and-off-ball skills to easily scale up and down depending on the situation."
Alperen Sengun and Tyrese Maxey have also shown remarkable progress. Sengun climbed from 85th to 47th due to his strength and finesse around the rim. "Sengun's strength and finesse around the rim make it difficult to defend him when he catches the ball on the move," stated Wimbish. Meanwhile, Maxey's dynamic play has propelled him from 60th to 24th, marking him as one of the league's most improved players.
New Entrants
This year's list saw Brandon Miller, Jalen Suggs, and Coby White making their debuts, securing the 66th, 70th, and 71st spots, respectively. Their inclusion introduces fresh talent and signals the beginning of their impactful careers in the NBA. Isaiah Hartenstein also found his way into the rankings, positioned at 73rd, highlighting his evolving game and presence on the court.
Repositions and Drops
Not all stories are of ascendance. Andrew Wiggins, previously ranked 48th, and Josh Giddey, formerly 61st, have dropped out of the rankings, reflecting challenging seasons behind them. Though Wiggins' story is particularly poignant, with Brad Botkin noting, "His father, former NBA player Mitchell Wiggins, recently died, and Andrew had taken multiple leaves of absence the past two years as his father's health was in decline." This personal struggle has undoubtedly affected his performance on the court.
Some players have experienced significant drops. Brook Lopez, who was 50th, has fallen to 88th, and Marcus Smart dropped from 56th to 93rd. Zach LaVine slipped from 43rd to 76th, and Klay Thompson, once 67th, now finds himself at 99th. Bradley Beal, who was once comfortably placed at 38th, has landed at 69th. Draymond Green also saw a shift, moving from 30th to 56th, while Derrick White's jump to 36th is a rare positive among the slips and falls.
Additionally, Chris Paul and Malcolm Brogdon have moved out of the rankings. Botkin succinctly summed up Brogdon's exclusion: "Brogdon is a good player but not a top-100 guy under these conditions."
These movements reflect the ever-changing landscape of the NBA, where performance, potential, and personal circumstances intertwine to shape the careers of these athletes. As always, the rankings serve as a snapshot of where players stand today, with many poised to rise or fall in the year ahead. Observing these trends offers fans a deeper appreciation of the skill, determination, and resilience required to succeed at the highest level of basketball.