For a second consecutive year, it will come as little surprise that San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama is leading the way on a list that examines the best young talents in the league.
ESPN NBA insiders Tim Bontemps, Zach Kram, Bobby Marks, Kevin Pelton and Jeremy Woo set out to answer those questions, ranking the top 25 players under the age of 25 based on long-term potential.
Here’s a look at our updated list for 2025-26, including how each exciting young star can take the next step.
To take the next step, Sheppard… Needs to keep growing in confidence as a ball handler and playmaker, and to improve defensively. Sheppard was such an analytical star in college because of his defensive playmaking along with his scoring. And while the 6-foot-2 guard is never going to become Gary Payton, if he can at least turn himself into a player teams can’t repeatedly pick on, it will raise his ceiling considerably when paired with his impressive offensive game. — Bontemps
Thompson is the quarterback of a Pistons defense that ranks fourth in both efficiency and in total points off turnovers. Since the start of the 2024-25 season, Thompson has held opponents to 40% as the contesting defender. That ranks fourth best among 291 players to contest at least 400 shots, per GeniusIQ tracking.
To take the next step, Thompson… Needs to expand his range offensively. While Thompson is shooting better than 50% from the field, more than 75% of his field goal attempts have come within 10 feet of the rim. He has attempted just 0.8 shots per game from deep, ranking in the bottom 10% of all guards this season. — Marks
Few players stand out in the box score more than Giddey. He’s boosted his scoring to a huge career high, thanks in large part to a much-improved ability to get to the free throw line, and with a 39% 3-point stroke, the once reluctant shooter is making defenses pay for leaving him open. It remains unclear just how much Giddey can drive winning, but at the very least, he can drive a fun offensive engine in Chicago.
To take the next step, Sarr… Needs to continue to make strides as a shooter. Last season, he shot 30.8% from 3 on more than five attempts per game. This year, he’s up to 34.6% but on lower volume. For Sarr to truly reach his ceiling, he needs to become a 3-point shooting weapon that better spaces the floor for his teammates. — Bontemps
The 47 games Suggs missed last season, which ended prematurely due to knee surgery, helped reveal his value to the Magic. Orlando went 20-15 with Suggs despite injuries to its other stars and 21-26 without him. It’s happening again this year, as the Magic are 13-7 with Suggs and 2-3 without him.
To take the next step, Suggs… First, he has to stay healthy. As is, Suggs’ elite on-ball defense and comfort playing off the ball makes him a strong fit alongside the rest of Orlando’s under-25 core. But that fit would be even better if Suggs gets back near the 40% he shot from 3 in 2023-24, which looks out of line with the rest of his career (33% overall). — Pelton
Daniels continues to be one of the league’s best perimeter defenders. Named to the All-NBA defensive First Team last year, Daniels is averaging 2.2 steals, second only to the Thunder’s Cason Wallace.
To take the next step, Daniels… Has to be more aggressive on offense. After nearly tripling his scoring average last season (5.8 to 14.1), Daniels is averaging 10.7 points this season. A reason for the decrease is Daniels’ lack of free throws (1.5 per game) and 3-point attempts (1.6 per game). — Marks
While there have been some predictable rookie growing pains, Edgecombe has largely rewarded the 76ers’ decision to pick him third, with his explosiveness attacking the paint and flashes of defensive playmaking that point to major long-term upside. The future of the franchise rests on Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey, and how well Philly can develop them in tandem.
To take the next step, Edgecombe… Has to improve his efficiency and ball skills. His early struggles (51.3% true shooting percentage in 20 games) aren’t surprising for a prospect still developing his handle and footwork. His mix of strength and burst presents major upside as he continues to hone his skill as a shot creator, but he’s also undersized for a 2-guard. He’ll continue to get the reps he needs to polish his shot selection and reads. — Woo
Harper has come off the bench to begin the season as part of a crowded Spurs backcourt and has played just 14 games due to injury, but he was poised and productive upon his return last month as he continues to settle in. His positional size, expertise in using screens and ability to make the game easier for teammates gives him a versatile base skillset for where the NBA is headed.
To take the next step, Harper… Has to hone his jumper. He shot just 33% from deep and 75% from the line at Rutgers, numbers that will need to tick up for him to make a star-quality leap in the NBA. He’s a crafty finisher inside the paint already, but he has to catch and shoot more consistently to thrive without the ball in his hands on a team that has several other playmakers. — Woo
The No. 4 pick just edged out the two players drafted ahead of him five months ago by leading all rookies in scoring. Knueppel is attempting the most 3s by a first-year player in NBA history (8.4 per game), which would blow away the rookie record. Nobody with more than 20 games has averaged more than Keegan Murray’s 2.6 3s — Knueppel is currently at 3.4.
To take the next step, Knueppel… Must keep showing he’s more than a shooter. He came within an assist of a triple-double last month against the Lakers and can leverage the defensive attention his shooting draws to create open shots for teammates. — Pelton
When Portland acquired Avdija from Washington during the 2024 draft, it was seen by many across the NBA as an overpay. However, Avdija has rewarded that faith with a strong case to make his first All-Star team this season. He’s also arguably the leading candidate for Most Improved Player behind a leap in points per game (25.8, up from 16.9) while maintaining his efficiency.
To take the next step, Avdija… He just has to do this again next season. Avdija already looks like a foundational performer for the Blazers. If he can continue this production and carry it over to next season, he’ll have fully ascended to a star-level wing. — Bontemps
After being left off the list his first three seasons, Duren is making a case for Most Improved Player and an All-Star spot. Duren is one of four players to average at least 18 points and 11 rebounds. The other three are Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama and Karl-Anthony Towns. Duren is also one of four players in NBA history with 2,500 points and 2,000 rebounds before turning 22.
To take the next step, Duren… Study two of the better passing bigs: Jokic and Alperen Sengun. Duren has improved in almost every statistical category except assists. He ranks 32nd among centers in assists per game (1.8) and in the 20th percentile among all bigs in assist to usage ratio, per Cleaning the Glass. — Marks
To take the next step, Banchero… Must improve his efficiency. Banchero still takes too many midrange jumpers and has below-average career marks from 3-point range (32%) and at the free throw line (73%). Among the 30 highest-usage players since he entered the league, Banchero ranks 29th in true shooting percentage, ahead of only LaMelo Ball. — Kram
Admittedly, putting Wagner ahead of three All-NBA players was probably overexuberant. However, before suffering a high ankle sprain that will sideline him a few weeks, Wagner was nearly matching that production as the Magic thrived with him as their offensive focal point during Banchero’s own injury absence. In particular, Wagner has excelled getting to the foul line this season, beating his career high by 1.6 per game.
To take the next step, Wagner … Must be respected by defenses when spotting up. If Wagner could consistently translate his 85% free throw shooting beyond the arc, even to maintain this year’s 36% accuracy, he’d likely move back into this list’s top 10.
It’s evidence of the NBA’s depth of under-25 talent that Barnes stayed in the same spot amidst the best start of his career. Barnes is shooting career-high percentages from inside (54% on 2s), outside (38% on 3s) and the foul line (85%), thriving as part of a deeper Toronto starting five with the addition of Brandon Ingram. Despite his strong box-score production, Barnes is arguably more valuable as a versatile defensive force.
To take the next step, Barnes … Must prove his mettle in the playoffs. The Raptors lost a first-round series during Barnes’ rookie season and haven’t been back since, a drought that has a good chance of ending this season. — Pelton
The biggest obstacle for Johnson has been availability, as a bevy of injuries have slowed the start of his career, most recently a torn labrum that led to surgery in January. He’s in midst of his best season, averaging career highs in points, 3-point percentage, rebounds and assists, looking like a worthy focal point for a rising Hawks team. Already one of the league’s top stat-sheet-stuffers, Johnson has begun translating that into winning.
To take the next step, Johnson… Has to shore up his decision-making. His 3.3 turnovers per 36 minutes come with the territory of his usage (much of it with Trae Young sidelined), and he’s a strong passer at his size (6-foot-8, 219 pounds). He’s been able to polish his game in other areas, particularly as a shooter, but cutting back on the turnovers as he continues to gain experience as an offensive cornerstone will go a long way. — Woo
The first of four players on this list who earned All-NBA honors last season, Mobley was also voted Defensive Player of the Year at the conclusion of a breakthrough fourth campaign. Mobley is shooting a career-low 50% from the field amidst an uneven Cavaliers start but with career highs in points and assists per game.
To take the next step, Mobley … Could marry the volume uptick we’ve seen this season with the efficiency he provided last season, when he boasted a career-best .633 true shooting percentage. One factor that could help: if Mobley ever gets to play center full time, perhaps his best position, and controls the defensive glass in that spot. — Pelton