25 Best Under 25

Tony Meyer by Analyst Written on February 21, 2009

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SAN ANTONIO - JANUARY 14:  Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during play against the San Antonio Spurs on January 14, 2009 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or usi
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

There is a plethora of young talent in the NBA today, and I have compiled a list of the 25 best players under the age of 25. For the next decade or so, these players are going to be front and center for basketball fans out there. Any one of the players in this slideshow could have a franchise built around him, or be an integral piece to a contending team. There is a lot to be excited about for the present and the future in the Association!

#25- Brook Lopez- 20

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 25: Brook Loopez #11 of the New Jersey Nets rests during a break in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 25, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 120-93.   NOTE TO USER: User expressly

Good, athletic young center. Plays well with his back to the basket and is an above-average shot blocker.

#24- Rodney Stuckey- 22

MILWAUKEE - FEBRUARY 07: Rodney Stuckey #3 of the Detroit Pistons moves against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 7, 2009 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Pistons defeated the Bucks 126-121 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

Powerful young point guard who can create his own shot and finish near the rim. Needs to improve his outside shot and his on-ball defense.

#23- Rudy Fernandez- 23

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 14:  Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers throws a pass to Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trail Blazers during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday Night, part of 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend at US Airways Center on February 14

As we saw in the dunk contest, this kid is an athlete. Decent shooter who can get to the rim and finish with authority.

#22- Eric Gordon- 20

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 9:  Eric Gordon #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena on February 9, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre

This youngster can fill it up from the perimeter. He has a sweet jumper and I see him having a Mitch Richmond type of career.

#21- Russell Westbrook- 20

OKLAHOMA CITY - OCTOBER 29:  Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks across the court during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Ford Center on October 29, 2008 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Bucks won 98-87.  NOTE TO USER: User e

Not really a pure point guard, but he makes plays when he is on the floor. An above-average defender who needs to polish his outside shot.

#20- Monta Ellis- 23

NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 30:  Monta Ellis #8 of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball over Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets on January 30, 2008 at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The Warriors defeated the Hornets 116-103.    NOTE

While he benefits from Don Nelson's open offense, Ellis has a pure jump shot and can create off the dribble. Explosive scorer who needs to improve on the defensive end.

#19- Jeff Green- 22

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Jeff Green #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks the ball against the New York Knicks on November 14, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by download

Great young inside-outside player who can hit the 3 and take you down low and score. He is going to benefit greatly from Durant drawing double-teams.

#18- O.J. Mayo- 21

TARRYTOWN, NY - JULY 29:  O. J. Mayo of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait during the 2008 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 29, 2008 at the MSG Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

Above-average shooter who needs to take the ball to the hoop instead of settling for the jumper. He is already developing into a leader on a Memphis team that desperately needs one.

#17- Rudy Gay- 22

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 07:  Rudy Gay #22 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts after hitting a shot against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA game on November 7, 2008 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and ag

Extraordinary athlete who can shoot the 3 and take the ball to the rim. Now all he has to do is try a little on defense.

#16- Al Horford- 22

ATLANTA - MAY 02: Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-100 in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at Phillips Arena on May 2, 2008 in Atlanta Georgia.  NOTE TO USER

Energetic young big who has developed a good post game. Tenacious rebounder who has improved his post defense. Good shot blocker, too.

#15- Greg Oden- 21

DALLAS - FEBRUARY 04:  Greg Oden #52 of the Portland Trail Blazers during play against the Dallas Mavericks on February 4, 2009 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or

Big body who, if he can somehow stay healthy, will be a double-double machine. Great shot blocker and is developing a decent baby hook.

#14- Rajon Rondo- 23

BOSTON - FEBRUARY 01:  Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics makes the shot past Sebastian Telfair #3 of Minnesota Timberwolves on February 1, 2009 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-101. NO

He may be thriving because of the players around him, but it is hard to argue that Rondo is a top notch point guard. Great defender and distributor, all he needs to do is work on the jump shot.

#13- Josh Smith- 23

MIAMI - DECEMBER 12:  Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks scores over Daequan Cook #14 of the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on December 12, 2008 in Miami, Florida. The Hawks defeated the Heat 87-73. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agr

Good all-around player with superb athletic ability. Needs to shoot less 3s and use his long wingspan in the post. Also, he needs to keep his attitude in check.

#12- Derrick Rose- 20

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 14:  Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls holds up the trophy after winning the Play Station Skills Challenge on All-Star Saturday Night, part of 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend at US Airways Center on February 14, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona.  NOT

Pure point guard who is lightning quick. Good rebounder for a guy his size and will compile several triple-doubles in his career. Once he gets a better jumper, watch out.

#11- LaMarcus Aldridge- 23

CHICAGO - JANUARY 12: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the Portland Trail Blazers moves against Andres Nocioni #5 of the Chicago Bulls on January 12, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Trail Blazers defeated the Bulls 109-95. NOTE TO USER: User e

Good young PF who can score with his back to the basket and can hit a 15-footer. Good rebounder and decent shot blocker.

#10- Andrew Bynum- 21

LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 27: Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks against the Charlotte Bobcats on January 27, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.   NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or u

Could develop into the best center in the West within the next two years. Combines great post moves with a nasty baby hook. Bynum can block shots and grab double digit rebounds every night. He just needs to stay healthy!

#9- Kevin Durant- 20

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13:  Kevin Durant #35 of the Sophomore team holds up the MVP trophy after the Sophomores won the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam part of 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend at US Airways Center on February 13, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona.  NOT

He is a natural shooter with arms so long that blocking his shot is impossible. There is no one in this league who can stop Durant from getting a shot, plain and simple.

#8- Al Jefferson- 24

BOSTON - FEBRUARY 01:  Al Jefferson #25 and Sebastian Telfair #3 of Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate a foul called against the Boston Celtics on February 1, 2009 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges an

His injury was devastating because he was tearing it up. He will be a 25-12 guy by next year and will have the T'Wolves in the Playoffs. He is a monster.

#7- Chris Bosh- 24

BEIJING - AUGUST 24:  Chris Bosh #12 of the United States salutes as his countries National Anthem is played during the medal ceremony after defeating Spain 118-107 in the gold medal game during Day 16 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Beijing Olym

Great shooting big man with a feathery touch. He can run the floor and create his own shot off the dribble. Good rebounder who could improve on defense a tad.

#6- Deron Williams- 24

SALT LAKE CITY - MAY 16:  Deron Williams #8 of the Utah Jazz shoots a jumper while taking on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at EnergySolutions Arena on May 16, 2008 in Salt Lake City, U

Big point guard who causes match-up nightmares for opponents. Deadly from deep and can post up smaller point guards. Great passer with impeccable floor vision.

#5- Brandon Roy- 24

DALLAS - FEBRUARY 04:  Brandon Roy #7 of the Portland Trail Blazers during play against the Dallas Mavericks on February 4, 2009 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/o

He is becoming a big time scoring in this league and in money in the clutch. Has the total package on offense and is an above-average defender.

Carmelo Anthony- 24

DENVER - NOVEMBER 18:  Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets awaits action against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Pepsi Center on November 18, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Bucks 114-105.  (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Chris Paul- 23

SAN ANTONIO - JANUARY 31:  Guard Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets during play against Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs on January 31, 2009 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

Dwight Howard- 23

DENVER - JANUARY 17:  Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic warms up prior to facing the Denver Nuggets during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on January 17, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Magic defeated the Nuggets 106-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ack

LeBron James- 24

MILWAUKEE - FEBRUARY 20: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers smiles near the end of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks in which he scored a game-high 55 points on February 20, 2009 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cavaliers defea

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written on February 21, 2009 Sports

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