The annual Top 100 NBA player rankings have once again ignited discussions among basketball enthusiasts. This year's list, derived from an aggregated projection, brought significant changes that reflect the dynamic nature of the sport.
Victor Wembanyama's Meteoric Rise
Victor Wembanyama has made a colossal jump from 58th to 12th in the rankings. His post-All-Star break performance showcased his immense potential. Averaging 23.5 points, 12 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 4.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game, Wembanyama has proven himself to be a force on both ends of the court. As Sam Quinn notes, "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 emphasizes, "He is the ultimate marriage of size and skill, the culmination of everything this sport has been building towards for the past decade."
Other Significant Climbers
Equally remarkable is Chet Holmgren's ascent from 68th to 30th. Holmgren's career trajectory suggests he could become a regular at the All-Star Game and frequently appear on end-of-season awards ballots like All-NBA and All-Defense. "Holmgren has the on-and-off-ball skills to easily scale up and down depending on the situation," observes Jack Maloney. Jasmyn Wimbish adds, "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."
Tyrese Maxey, now positioned at 24th, moved up from 60th, showing his growth and impact on the court. Meanwhile, Alperen Sengun's leap from 85th to 47th showcases his prowess 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," says Wimbish.
Newcomers in the Rankings
The rankings also welcomed new names such as Brandon Miller, Jalen Suggs, and Coby White, who now occupy the 66th, 70th, and 71st spots, respectively. Isaiah Hartenstein finds himself in 73rd place, marking his entry into the elite performers of the league.
Movements and Drops
Notably, some players experienced significant declines. Andrew Wiggins, formerly ranked 48th, is now unranked. His recent struggles can be attributed to personal challenges, including the passing of his father, former NBA player Mitchell Wiggins. "His father recently died, and Andrew had taken multiple leaves of absence the past two years as his father's health was in decline," shares Brad Botkin. Similarly, Chris Paul and Malcolm Brogdon have also fallen out of the rankings. Botkin comments, "Brogdon is a good player but not a top-100 guy under these conditions."
Other players who slipped include Brook Lopez, who fell from 50th to 88th, and Marcus Smart, who dropped from 56th to 93rd. Zach LaVine's rank plummeted from 43rd to 76th, while Klay Thompson, once 67th, is now at the 99th spot. Bradley Beal, previously 38th, is now positioned at 69th. Draymond Green also moved down from 30th to 56th.
Steady Climbers
On a positive note, Derrick White made a noticeable jump to 36th, emphasizing his growing influence in the league. Jalen Williams, close behind White, moved to 37th. These upward movements highlight the evolving skills and contributions of both players.
The annual reshuffling of the Top 100 rankings never fails to spark debate, celebrate achievements, and acknowledge the ever-changing landscape of the NBA. As the new season unfolds, these rankings will undoubtedly continue to be a focal point of discussion among fans and analysts alike, setting the stage for another thrilling year of basketball.