Top 10 NBA Players 22 and Under

Since the 2003 NBA draft, the NBA has seen an assault on it's rosters by young and capable players.  Even the the institution of the age limit in 2005 did not slow the influx in talent.  This influx in talent probably rivals the last NBA renaissance that took place between 1979 and 1985.  A great number of these new players have already established themselves as superstars and team leaders.  Players like LeBron, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and Brandon Roy are already the new faces of the NBA but there is another up and coming group ready to knock people off the All NBA, All Star and Olympic teams.  These players are very young (22 and under) but have already established themselves as corner stones and leaders of their franchises.  It is just a matter of time before they explode on the national NBA stage.

10. Rodney Stuckey(22) - Detroit Pistons

Stuckey was drafted as the next Detroit Pistons PG in 2007.  However, his play has so impressed Pistons GM Joe Dumars that he traded team leader Chauncey Billups to Denver to begin the rebuilding in Detroit around Stuckey and cap flexibility.  Although the Pistons as a team have struggled trying to assimilate Allen Iverson, Stuckey's play has not been disappointing.  After some play off the bench, Stuckey really got it going as a starter.  In his eight starts, Stuckey has averaged 13 points/7.3 assists on 52% shooting including 57% from deep.

9. Greg Oden(20) - Portland Trailblazers

Billed as the next dominant big man since high school, injuries have dampened Oden's arrival into the NBA.  Still recovering from the dreaded micro-fracture surgery, Oden has struggled to adjust to the NBA on a team that is clearly ready to win now.  A hobbled Oden has shown the ability to be a game changer defensively and on the boards.  With his playing limited initially by recovery and more recently by foul trouble, Oden's numbers look very modest. However, his rebounding and block shot rates put him near the top of the NBA even on one leg.

8. Al Horford(22) - Atlanta Hawks

Horford is never going to be one of those exciting stat dropping players that gets everyone excited.  As such, his ranking might not do justice to the actual impact he has on games.  Horford has already become a very good individual and team defender.  Playing out of position at center for Atlanta, he still is able to anchor their defense effectively and is one of the key reasons the Hawks have gone from lottery team to one of Boston's biggest playoff threats.  What he does is not sexy but he is the type of player every NBA coach covets.

7. Andris Biedrins(22) - Golden State Warriors

Biedrins is another grinder.  Although his offensive game is improving, Biedrins best attribute is providing toughness and controlling the back boards.  Already he has established himself as the best rebounder in the Western Conference while playing for a coach that disdains big men.  If he was able to play next to another big for a sustained amount of time, he might be even more effective.

6. Andrew Bynum(21) - Los Angeles Lakers

A member of the last straight high school to the NBA class, Bynum was brought along slowly by the Lakers.  The switch seemed to go on after he was called out by his teammate Kobe Bryant who was pushing for a Jason Kidd trade.  Although he has complained about his role with the team after missing their run to the NBA finals with injury.  Bynum has already shown to be one of the top centers in the league and at the tender age of 21, we are likely only seeing the tip of the iceberg.

5. Rudy Gay(22) - Memphis Grizzlies

Playing in obscurity in Memphis, Gay has already established himself as one of the top young NBA scorers.  Having had a breakout sophomore campaign, Gay has been thrust into a leadership role for a very young team and is showing himself capable. Although he has a tendency to coast on the defensive end, Gay in a matchup nightmare for opponents on offense.  Once he diversifies his offensive games with more drives and post ups, his efficiency as a scorer should go to another level.

4. OJ Mayo(21) - Memphis Grizzlies

Mayo is the second part of the exciting tandem in Memphis.  Anointed the Next One as a 9th grader, Mayo's path to the NBA has been littered with a lot of skepticism about his attitude and his game.  His arrival into the NBA has quieted all the "over rated" talk that was heard during his one college season.  Mayo has been a consistent and efficient NBA scorer and a willing defender.  The only question that remains is if he can transition to the point guard position in the NBA.

3. Derrick Rose(20) - Chicago Bulls

Rose combination of size, athleticism, and quickness make him nearly unstoppable with the ball in his hands.  He is seemingly able to get to the rim whenever and however he wants to do so.  Watching him play and you just feel he could be doing much more but is just trying to fit in with his new team.  Sometime very soon, Rose is going to understand that it is his team and him dominating is the best thing for the Bulls.  When that happens, NBA beware.

2. Rajon Rondo(22) - Boston Celtics

Rondo is probably the least likely player to have been included on this list when drafted.  His draft slot was sold by the Phoenix Suns and his college career was uneven.  He is not a good shooter or an explosive offensive player.  Rondo is a physical specimen though at his position.  His length at the point guard position is just as imposing as Rose's size.  Rondo uses this to stagnate opponents offenses at the point of attack.  Surrounded by veterans, he has the confidence to run the champs offense and has learned how to be effective in the halfcourt with an ineffective jumper.  He is also probably going to be the first on this list to make the All Star team.

1. Kevin Durant(20) - Oklahoma City Thunder

Durant was part of the first high school class effected by the age limit.  His one year in college saw him captivate American hoops fans in one of the most blistering season long offensive displays in NCAA history.  The expectations were for him to do the same in the NBA.  His rookie season had in inexplicably out of position as a lanky, 6'9 shooting guard which turned him into an obscene chucker.  However, the firing of PJ Carlesimo allowed him to move to his natural small forward position and his has flourished. As a forward he is averaging 24 points and almost 7 rebounds a game on 45% shooting and 48% from long range.