1988 Top 15 Under-25

[Craig]

Ranking the top 15 players under the age of 25 as they currently produce, not taking upside into account.

Tier 1
C David Robinson (Indiana Pacers) Age 23 B+ C C- B+ B+ A
20.7ppg, 10.7rpg, 2.7apg, 0.9spg, 4.2bpg, 2.1topg, .456 FG%, .771 FT%, .000 3P% (33.7mpg)
Last year’s Rookie of the Year comes in at the #1 spot in a tier on his own due to his high-end versatility at maybe the deepest position for stars in the league. He gives you 20/10 on decent shooting and low turnovers, as well as Defensive Player of the Year caliber rim protection. The sky is the limit for The Admiral and he’s already one of the best big men in the league.

Tier 2
PG Mitchell Jordan (New Jersey Nets) Age 23 C+ A- B A C C
15.8ppg, 5.3rpg, 9.0apg, 2.6spg, 0.3bpg, 2.3topg, .459 FG%, .818FT%, .323 3P% (36.8mpg)
Jordan has spent 5+ seasons turning himself into arguably the best all-around point guard in the league…and is still only 23. He just has no holes in his game. He’s a threat to score from the outside, a good passer, great defender, good positional rebounder, steady with the ball. There’s not a ton more you can ask of him. It will be interesting to see what happens this season regarding his expiring contract and whether he’ll be back with the defending champion Nets or not.

C Roy Tarpley (Toronto Raptors) Age 24 A- C- D+ A- B B
23.4ppg, 9.9rpg, 2.0apg, 0.8spg, 1.8bpg, 2.3topg, .492 FG%, .684 FT%, .000 3P% (33.9mpg)
Tarpley has been a consistent contributor for the Raptors ever since he entered the league, putting up 20/9 on 47+% shooting in each of his first 3 seasons so far. He’s very efficient with his shooting and limiting turnovers and is a good positional defender. The thing keeping him from Tier 1 with Robinson is he’s not quite as prolific a rebounder or rim protector, but he’s a great player leading his team to a .700 Win% so far this year.

Tier 3
SF Drazen Petrovic (Vancouver Grizzlies) Age 24 C+ A C A- C+ A
17.2ppg, 6.2rpg, 2.4apg, 1.6spg, 0.3bpg, 2.7topg, .442 FG%, .779 FT%, .405 3P% (31.6mpg)
Petrovic is one of the premier shooters in the league and still has some upside to play with. He’s a plus rebounder and defender at the wing position to go along with the versatile scoring. He has yet to really be unleashed in Vancouver, perhaps due to concerns about his ability to limit turnovers, but I think there’s higher scoring potential than is currently shown on the stat sheet.

PG Kevin Johnson (San Antonio Spurs) Age 22 B- B- A B- D+ B
12.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 9.0apg, 2.1spg, 0.1bpg, 2.5topg, .474 FG%, .789 FT%, .309 3P% (35.1mpg)
KJ is another player who possesses and/or has shown the ability to score at a higher clip than he is currently, which bumps him up a bit on this list when combined with his all-around game. He’s liable to pop off for 30+ at any time. He’s been efficient scorer at 47% from the field and 41% from 3 for his career and is one of the better passers in the league as well. So far this season, he has greatly reduced his turnover rate, which significantly boosts his performance.

PG Kenny Smith (Phoenix Suns) Age 23 C+ A- B+ A- D+ B
10.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 10.0apg, 2.5spg, 0.1bpg, 3.1topg, .370 FG%, .822 FT%, .308 3P% (40.4mpg)
The Jet finds himself atop the leader board in assists so far this season at an even 10 per game, showing drastic improvement in his playmaking ability from his rookie year. He’s a dynamic defensive playmaker at 2.5 steals per game and doesn’t hurt his team on the boards. His scoring/shooting is down due to the heavy focus on inside touches for the team’s frontcourt, but he showed in pre-season he might be ready to start lighting it up from outside as well.

Tier 4
PF Greg Cadillac Anderson (Chicago Bulls) Age 24 A- C- D+ B- C+ B
21.9ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.6apg, 1.7spg, 0.9bpg, 1.9topg, .468 FG%, .697 FT%, .000 3P% (32.2mpg)
Cadillac has a similar offensive profile to Roy Tarpley, who is on this list. He’s an efficient inside scorer who is top 10 in the league in scoring without being top 10 in field goal attempts and also commits under 2 turnovers per game. Where his game lacks a bit is on defense and the boards, pushing him down this list a bit, but he was All League 3rd Team at age 23 last season so you’re doing pretty well with him in the lineup.

PF Wayman Tisdale (Phoenix Suns) Age 24 B+ C- C B B- B
22.0ppg, 8.7rpg, 2.5apg, 1.2spg, 1.6bpg, 3.1topg, .491 FG%, .732 FT%, .000 3P% (32.4mpg)
Tisdale is very similar to Anderson in that he’s a prolific inside scorer. The tradeoff difference putting them in the same tier is Tisdale being the better rim protector vs Anderson’s lower turnover rate. Tisdale is putting up career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and FG%, showing what he’s capable of in a contract year.

PG Steve Kerr (Vancouver Grizzlies) Age 23 C A- C B+ C- B
18.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.7apg, 1.9spg, 0.2bpg, 3.1topg, .457 FG%, .712 FT%, .446 3P% (31.1mpg)
Kerr has come out as a rookie and been raining threes from the get-go. He’s top 10 in the league in both attempts and percentage, so he’s a real weapon outside. He’s been a pretty good defender and adequate at limiting turnovers from the PG position, making him a surprise Rookie of the Year candidate. He’s not the most dynamic playmaker in the world, but the Grizzlies are 3rd in the West with Kerr at the helm so it’s not hurting them too much.

Tier 5
C Benoit Benjamin (Boston Cripples) Age 24 B- D+ D A- A- B
11.6ppg, 10.6rpg, 2.1apg, 0.8spg, 3.3bpg, 2.3topg, .419 FG%, .532 FT%, .000 3P% (33.1mpg)
Benjamin has been a steady defensive force in Boston and on of the few players who hasn’t missed more than a handful of games the last couple seasons. He’s a great rim protector and rebounder who’s starting to put the ball in the hoop a bit this season. Just a prototypical defensive center who you can’t go wrong with and he’s only 24.

PF Danny Manning (Golden State Warriors) Age 22 B+ C+ C- B B A
19.7ppg, 9.3rpg, 3.0apg, 1.1spg, 1.9bpg, 3.1topg, .390 FG%, .765 FT%, .424 3P% (33.8mpg)
The #4 pick has shown flashes of greatness in his young career, just not a ton of consistency. He’s hitting some threes, blocking some shots, and having some big scoring games. He’s just been a bit erratic with his shooting at under 40% on high volume. This is to be expected of a rookie though, so expect to see him skyrocket up this list in coming seasons.

C Rik Smits (Charlotte Hornets) Age 22 B- D+ C A- B A
10.8ppg, 9.7rpg, 1.8apg, 0.8spg, 3.2bpg, 1.7topg, .433 FG%, .454 FT%, .167 3P% (29.2mpg)
The towering Rik Smits has been another steady rim protector in his rookie season for Charlotte. He’s shown a few flashes of scoring potential and has been a solid rebounder, but his bread and butter has been elite shot blocking at 3.2 blocks per game in under 30 minutes.

C Brad Daugherty (Washington Bullets) Age 23 B+ C- C B B+ B
17.9ppg, 9.5rpg, 2.0apg, 0.6spg, 1.7bpg, 2.3topg, .416 FG%, .665 FT%, .000 3P% (32.0mpg)
Brad Daugherty has been a pretty consistent 20/9 threat since entering the league in 1986. Unfortunately, he’s been shooting the ball less and less straight during that time. One could argue that would be improved with better teammates, but that’s been slow going during the Washington rebuild. You’d like to see some better shooting and/or better shot blocking from the former #2 pick, but he’s a solid scorer in place for when the team starts to turn the corner.

Tier 6
C Kevin Duckworth (New York Knicks) Age 24 B C- C- B+ B B
10.7ppg, 7.8rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, 2.4bpg, 1.5topg, .423 FG%, .608 FT%, .000 3P% (29.0mpg)
Duckworth is just a solid role player that does most things you want a 2nd/3rd big to do. He’s a very good shot blocker, doesn’t hurt you on the boards or with turnovers, and can put the ball in the hole when needed. You’re not looking at a star here, but the type of player every team needs.

SF Ken Barlow (Portland Trailblazers) Age 24 A- D- D- B- B- D
14.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2spg, 0.4bpg, 1.4topg, .535 FG%, .580 FT%, .000 3P% (27.0mpg)
Barlow is a former 2nd round pick that is a bit of a one trick pony, but he does that trick very well. He is trucking people down low for paint points and doing it on a good team in Portland. He shoots over 50% for his career and commits only 1.5 turnovers per game during that time. At the small forward position, he is also a plus rebounder. Don’t ask him to play any other position, make any outside shots, or play a ton of defense, but he can get you efficient buckets.

1988 Honorable Mentions
Charles Smith (MIN), Reggie Miller (LAC), Mitch Richmond (WAS), Reggie Lewis (CHA), Freddie Banks (VAN)

Other Names to Watch in Future Years
Pooh Richardson (ORL), Hersey Hawkins (SA), Mitch Richmond (WAS), Reggie Miller (LAC), Rex Chapman (SEA), Scottie Pippen (MIL)

[UOducksTK1]

Craig, great idea but can you include the ratings of each player too?

[Craig]

Craig, great idea but can you include the ratings of each player too?

Sure why not.

[offtheheezy]

It's kind of crazy that Mitchell Jordan is still under 25. Definitely been a beast.

[the goat]

The OG MJ is still only 23? Sheesh

[lukeyrid13]

Honestly I thought Mitchell Jordan was just another random fake player to fill in the draft when he came in…..and then he dominated my MJ in the finals. He’s a beast

[dd10snoop28]

The best MJ in the league. Or at least the most clutch MJ.

[Craig]

Whenever this is finalized:

Kenny Smith
1) Handling
2) Jump Shot
3) 3pt Shot
4) Quickness
5) Strength

[Oregon Ownage]

Kenny Smith
1) Handling

Done