NBA Power Rankings: Top 10 Players 25 Years Old and Younger

The amount of young talent in the NBA is amazing.

When I'm talking about young talent, I'm not even talking about guys like LeBron (26-years-old), Carmelo (26), Amar'e Stoudamire (28) or D-Wade (29).

I'm talking about the guys who are 25-years-old and younger.

Some of the top players in the league fit into this age category. They are some of the best at their positions, and even the best players in the league...it's an elite fraternity.

Let's take a look at the Top 10 players in the NBA under-25 club.

10. John Wall

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CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 08: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards calls a play against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on January 8, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre

John Wall

Born: Sep 6, 1990

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 195 lbs. 

College: Kentucky

Years Pro: R

2010-11 Statistics

PPG: 15.1

RPG: 3.8

APG: 9.2

As the number one overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, Wall came into the league carrying huge expectations.

He has not disappointed.

Wall has scored in double figures in all but four of his games so far.

He has 14 double-doubles (points/assists) already this season.

Wall is number four in the league in assists (behind Rondo, Nash, and Paul).

9. Monta Ellis

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 20: Monta Ellis #8 of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball over Courtney Lee #5 of the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena on December 20, 2010 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

Monta Ellis

Born: Oct 26, 1985

Height: 6-3 / 1.91

Weight: 185 lbs.

High School: Lanier HS (Jackson, MS)

Years Pro: 5

2010-11 Statistics

PPG: 25.8

RPG: 3.4

APG: 5.7

In his sixth season in the NBA, Ellis not only leads the Warriors in scoring, but he is the top scorer among guards and number two scorer in the league.

Ellis has already topped 30 points 12 times this season, and has gone for 40 three times.

He is number three in the NBA in steals (2.6 SPG), twice recording seven steals in a single game.

The fact that Ellis plays on the Golden State Warriors has significantly impacted his notoriety around the league.

8. Kevin Love

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PHOENIX - MARCH 16: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves puts up a shot during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on March 16, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 152-114. NOTE TO USER: User expre

Kevin Love

Born: Sep 7, 1988

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 260 lbs.

College: UCLA

Years Pro: 2

2010-11 Statistics

PPG: 21.3

RPG: 15.6

APG: 2.5

After one season at UCLA, Love, surprising many, entered the NBA Draft.

No one is wondering why anymore.

Love had two good years to start his NBA career, but is having a breakthrough in year three.

He is currently leading the league in rebounding and double-doubles (38 point/rebound DDs in 43 games).

Earlier this season, Love became the 19th player in league history to record a "30-30"—30 points and 30 rebounds in a single game—when he had 31 points along with a career-high 31 rebounds.

7. Rajon Rondo

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 10: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics passes the ball in the second half against the Houston Rockets on January 10, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Rockets defeated the Celtics 108-102. NOTE TO USER: User expr

Rajon Rondo

Born: Feb 22, 1986

Height: 6'1" 

Weight: 171 lbs. 

College: Kentucky

Years Pro: 4

2010-11 Statistics

PPG: 10.5 

RPG: 4.5

APG: 13.0

Rajon Rondo is one of the best point guards in the NBA.

His breakout performance came during the 2009 NBA Playoffs where he nearly averaged a triple-double.

He leads the league this year in assists per game (13) and is No. 2 in steals (2.4 SPG).

Rondo has handed out 10 or more assists in 24 games this season, with high games of 23 (Spurs) and 24 (Knicks) assists.

6. Russell Westbrook

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 21: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

Russell Westbrook

Born: Nov 12, 1988

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 187 lbs. 

College: UCLA

Years Pro: 2

2010-11 Statistics

PPG: 22.7

RPG: 5.0

APG: 8.3

Russell Westbrook has become one of the best scoring point guards in the NBA.

Not only does he take care of setting up his teammates, but Westbrook consistently challenges his opponents with his ability to fill it up.

It is amazing that Westbrook scores as much as he does, playing alongside of Kevin Durant, the leagues' number one scorer.

On December 1, 2010, Westbrook had one of the best games from any point guard this season. He scored 38 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and handed out 9 assists against the New Jersey Nets.

5. Blake Griffin

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers scores on a reverse layup past Joel Anthony #50 of the Miami Heat at Staples Center on January 12, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Blake Griffin

Born: Mar 16, 1989

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 251 lbs.

College: Oklahoma

Years Pro: R

2010-11 Statistics

PPG: 22.8

RPG: 12.9

APG: 3.5

After missing what should have been his rookie season last year (because of injury),  Blake Griffin is taking the NBA by storm, featuring some of the most sick dunks seen in a very long time.

It's a big accomplishment to say that Griffin leads all rookies in both scoring and rebounds

But he is not only excelling among the first-year players—he is the number four rebounder and number 12 scorer in the league.

Griffin, like Kevin Love, is a double-double machine—35 in 43 games. Only Love has more.

If Griffin remains healthy, he is not only a shoe-in for the Rookie of the Year award, but he has a good chance of being an All-Star his first year. 

4. Chris Paul

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 22: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets drives the ball up the court during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the New Orleans Arena on January 22, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Spurs 96-7

Chris Paul

Born: May 6, 1985

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 175 lbs.

College: Wake Forest

Years Pro: 5

2010-11 Statistics

PPG: 16.2

RPG: 4.1

APG: 9.6

Since being selected fourth overall in the 2005 NBA Draft by New Orleans, Chris Paul has been the NBA Rookie of the Year (2006), a three-time All-Star, and an All-NBA and All-Defensive team honoree.

Even though his numbers have fallen off slightly this year, he is still one of the best point guards in the league.

For this season, Paul has the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the league (4.27) and is currently number three in overall assists.

He also leads the league in steals (2.67 SPG).

Paul has 19 double-doubles this year (number four among guards).

3. Derrick Rose

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 28: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls looks for an open lane against the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center on December 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Bucks 90-77. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

Derrick Rose

Born: Oct 4, 1988

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 190 lbs.

College: Memphis

Years Pro: 2

2010-11 Statistics

PPG: 24.7

RPG: 4.7

APG: 8.0

Derrick Rose was the first overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 2008 Draft.

He was selected as the 2009 Rookie of the Year.

In his second season, he was selected as an NBA All-Star.

Rose is currently number seven in the league in scoring and number 10 in assists.

Rose's versatility makes him able to impact the game in so many ways.

On January 17, he finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists for he first career triple-double.

2. Kevin Durant

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 17: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles to the basket around Ron Artest #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on January 17, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknow

Kevin Durant

Born: Sep 29, 1988

Height: 6'9"

Weight: 230 lbs.

College: Texas

Years Pro: 3

2010-11 Statistics

PPG: 28.3

RPG: 6.3

APG: 2.9

After leaving Texas, Kevin Durant was the number two selection in the 2007 NBA Draft.

He was selected as the 2008 Rookie of the Year.

Last year, in the 2009-10 season, Durant led the NBA in scoring and became the youngest player to win the NBA scoring title. He was named to the 2010 All-NBA First Team.

He is currently leading the league in scoring. He has scored in double figures in every game this season.

He has gone over 30 points 16 times and over 40 twice, with his season-high coming against Denver when he scored 44 points.

He is truly one of the best players of any position in the league. Sometimes, it is forgotten that he has accomplised all of this before his 23rd birthday. Amazing! 

1. Dwight Howard

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BOSTON - MAY 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic dunks against the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 28, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackno

Dwight Howard

Born: December 8, 1985

Height: 6'11"

Weight: 265 lbs.

High School: SW Atlanta Christian Academy (GA)

Years Pro: 6

2010-11 Statistics

PPG: 22.1

RPG: 13.3

APG: 1.2

Among so many young superstars, Dwight Howard is the best. He is a dominant force in the league.

After entering the NBA Draft out of high school, Howard has racked up one accomplishment after another.

He has been a four-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA team selection, three-time All-Defensive member, and two-time Defensive Player of the Year.

In his rookie season, Howard became the youngest player in league history to average a double-double.

Following his performance last season, he became the first NBA player ever to lead the league in total rebounds for five consecutive seasons.

He has also led the league in blocks per game twice and double-doubles twice.