Our annual Top 100 NBA player rankings have become a much-anticipated tradition, providing fans with a comprehensive evaluation of the league's elite talent. This year's list, reflecting an aggregate projection, showcased significant shifts and emerging stars, making it one of the most intriguing rankings yet.
Wembanyama's Meteoric Rise
One of the most notable leaps in this year's rankings was made by Victor Wembanyama. The talented big man vaulted from 58th to 12th after an impressive post-All-Star break performance where he averaged 23.5 points, 12 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 4.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. "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," said analyst Sam Quinn. Quinn further noted, "He is the ultimate marriage of size and skill, the culmination of everything this sport has been building towards for the past decade."
Holmgren and the All-Star Bound
Chet Holmgren also made significant strides, moving up from 68th to 30th in the rankings. His dual threat on both ends of the floor has drawn comparisons to some of the game's greats. As Jasmyn Wimbish stated, "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." Jack Maloney underscored Holmgren's versatility, highlighting his on-and-off-ball skills that allow him to adapt to various game situations seamlessly.
New Entrants and Climbers
Several players managed to enter the rankings from previously unranked positions, exemplifying their improved performances and impact on the court. Brandon Miller, Jalen Suggs, and Coby White moved into the 66th, 70th, and 71st spots, respectively. Isaiah Hartenstein also made his mark, securing the 73rd position. Derrick White and Jalen Williams demonstrated their potential by climbing to 36th and 37th, respectively.
Young talents like Alperen Sengun and Tyrese Maxey also enjoyed significant upward mobility. Sengun's climb from 85th to 47th was driven by his strength and finesse around the rim, with Wimbish commenting, "Sengun's strength and finesse around the rim make it difficult to defend him when he catches the ball on the move." Similarly, Maxey's leap from 60th to 24th indicated his burgeoning status as a key player in the league.
Falling Stars and Notable Omissions
However, the rankings weren't kind to everyone. Some established names saw precipitous drops. Brook Lopez fell dramatically from 50th to 88th, and Marcus Smart slipped from 56th to 93rd. Zach LaVine, previously positioned at 43rd, found himself at 76th, and Klay Thompson, once 67th, dropped to near the bottom of the list at 99th. Bradley Beal also experienced a notable decline, moving from 38th to 69th.
Former top-100 players Chris Paul and Malcolm Brogdon were conspicuously absent from this year's rankings. As Brad Botkin succinctly put it, "Brogdon is a good player but not a top-100 guy under these conditions." Additionally, Andrew Wiggins, who had dropped out of the rankings, faced personal challenges recently, leading to his position's reassessment. "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," said Botkin.
Conclusion
This year's Top 100 NBA player rankings have provided plenty of talking points, especially with the significant movements among players like Wembanyama, Holmgren, Sengun, and others. As we look forward to the upcoming season, these rankings not only reflect past performances but also set the stage for players to prove their worth and potentially shift these rankings once again.