Our annual Top 100 NBA player rankings, a perennial staple for basketball enthusiasts, have once again been unveiled, showcasing a dramatic reshuffling of positions based on an aggregate projection. The headline-maker this year is undoubtedly Victor Wembanyama, who has catapulted from 58th to an impressive 12th place.
Wembanyama’s Meteoric Rise
Wembanyama's surge in the rankings can be attributed to his stellar performance post-All-Star break, where he averaged 23.5 points, 12 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 4.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. His multifaceted game and towering presence have led analysts, like Sam Quinn, to consider him the future of the sport. "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 emphasized.
Quinn went further to encapsulate Wembanyama’s unique value by stating, "He is the ultimate marriage of size and skill, the culmination of everything this sport has been building towards for the past decade." Such high praise underlines the transformative potential Wembanyama possesses as he continues to develop.
Other Notable Movers
Chet Holmgren has also enjoyed a significant leap, moving up from 68th to 30th. The towering big man has showcased an ability to be both an offensive and defensive asset. Jasmyn Wimbish noted, "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." The blend of versatility and skill sets Holmgren as a cornerstone for future success.
Alperen Sengun exhibited a strong upward trend as well, climbing from 85th to 47th. His skill set around the basket impressed observers, with Wimbish pointing out, "Sengun's strength and finesse around the rim make it difficult to defend him when he catches the ball on the move."
Tyrese Maxey's rise from 60th to 24th also speaks volumes about his improvement over the past year. Intriguingly, this year's list saw the introduction of Brandon Miller, Jalen Suggs, and Coby White, who transitioned from unranked positions to 66th, 70th, and 71st spots respectively. Isaiah Hartenstein secured the 73rd position, while Derrick White surged to 36th, reflecting his escalating value in the league.
The Declines and Departures
While the rankings celebrated the ascents, it also chronicled falls from grace. Notably, Andrew Wiggins and Josh Giddey slipped entirely off the list from their previous 48th and 61st positions. Brad Botkin provided context around Wiggins’ slide, 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."
Brook Lopez experienced a significant drop from 50th to 88th, and Marcus Smart fell from 56th to 93rd. Zach LaVine’s tumble from 43rd to 76th and Klay Thompson’s slip from 67th to 99th are notable as indicators of their struggles and perhaps changing roles within their teams. Bradley Beal's descent from 38th to 69th underscored a challenging year for the perennial All-Star.
Draymond Green, conversely, moved from 30th to 56th. Meanwhile, Chris Paul and Malcolm Brogdon departed the list entirely. Botkin’s assessment of Brogdon was candid: "Brogdon is a good player but not a top-100 guy under these conditions."
The Future Stars
As the rankings settle, the future beckons with promise and potential. Players like Wembanyama and Holmgren are not merely moving up the ranks; they are redefining the game. Jack Maloney highlighted Holmgren's adaptability, asserting, "Holmgren has the on-and-off-ball skills to easily scale up and down depending on the situation."
With significant shuffles and emergent talents, this year’s Top 100 list underscores the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the NBA. From the meteoric rise of young stars to the resilience of seasoned veterans, the league continues its enthralling narrative, captivating fans and analysts alike.