Our annual Top 100 NBA player rankings have become a much-anticipated tradition in the basketball community, serving as a significant milestone for players and fans alike. This year's list has once again delivered its share of surprises, notable rises, and unexpected falls.
A New Era with Victor Wembanyama
The most significant leap in this year's rankings is none other than Victor Wembanyama, who has vaulted from 58th to an impressive 12th spot. After an exceptional post-All-Star performance where he averaged 23.5 points, 12 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 4.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game, Wembanyama has solidified his standing as one of the sport's future stars. As Sam Quinn aptly puts it, "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." Indeed, Wembanyama represents "the ultimate marriage of size and skill," embodying the culmination of everything the sport has been building towards over the past decade.
Rising Stars: Holmgren, Sengun, and Maxey
Among the other significant movers, Chet Holmgren elevated his ranking from 68th to 30th, reinforcing his rising star status. According to Jasmyn Wimbish, "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." His versatility is a major asset, with Jack Maloney adding, "Holmgren has the on-and-off-ball skills to easily scale up and down depending on the situation."
Alperen Sengun also made a striking advancement from 85th to 47th. Sengun's exceptional strength and finesse around the rim make him a difficult player to defend against. As Wimbish notes, his knack for scoring when catching the ball on the move adds a valuable dimension to his skill set. Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey has surged from 60th to 24th, continuing to impress with his consistent development.
New Faces
Brandon Miller, Jalen Suggs, and Coby White have all made their way into the rankings from previously unranked positions. Securing spots at 66th, 70th, and 71st, respectively, these players have shown remarkable improvement to earn their places among the Top 100. Similarly, Isaiah Hartenstein's hard work has paid off as he now finds himself at the 73rd position.
Slipping Down the Ranks
Conversely, not all players have experienced a positive shift. Formerly holding the 48th spot, Andrew Wiggins is now unranked. His recent personal challenges, including the passing of his father, former NBA player Mitchell Wiggins, have undoubtedly impacted his performance. Brad Botkin reflects, "Andrew had taken multiple leaves of absence the past two years as his father's health was in decline."
Other notable drops include Brook Lopez, who fell from 50th to 88th, and Marcus Smart, who slipped from 56th to 93rd. Zach LaVine also faced a significant drop from 43rd to 76th, with Klay Thompson now ranking 99th down from 67th. Bradley Beal moved from 38th to 69th, reflecting a less stellar season compared to his previous performances. Longtime stalwarts Chris Paul and Malcolm Brogdon are no longer listed among the Top 100, with Botkin remarking, "Brogdon is a good player but not a top-100 guy under these conditions."
Maintaining Momentum
Derrick White's ascent to the 36th position and Jalen Williams' close follow at 37th highlight their continuous improvement and growing importance to their respective teams. Additionally, Draymond Green, despite dropping from 30th to 56th, remains a key figure known for his defensive prowess and leadership.
This year's rankings underline the dynamic nature of professional basketball, showcasing both meteoric rises and poignant declines. With new talent emerging and established players striving to maintain their status, the NBA continues to be a league of remarkable depth and evolving storylines. As players like Wembanyama, Holmgren, and Sengun capture the imagination of fans and analysts alike, the future of basketball looks brighter than ever.