The NBA continues to be one of the most popular and exciting professional sports leagues in the world. For over 75 years the league has established itself as an institution of sporting culture around the globe. It is the pinnacle of basketball for any professional player and its popularity continues to grow even now with TV viewership growing year on year. The 2023 NBA draft was the most viewed in history with the first-round averaging 4.93 million-viewers. Around 3,743,000 viewers watched the entire 2023 NBA Draft, a 23% increase from the previous year. It is here where we welcome the stars of tomorrow to the league, the same stars who continue to make the NBA must-watch. There have been a number of players drafted in the last few years who are already making a splash in the league, with fans flocking to back their Suggested placement after some electrifying performances. Let’s take a look at the rising stars of the NBA under the age of 23.
Paolo Banchero – 21
The Orlando Magic shocked many in 2022 when they chose Paolo Banchero as the number one overall draft pick. The consensus among fans and pundits was that either Chet Holmgren or Jabari Smith Jr would go first and Orlando opting for Banchero drew criticism. However, they have been made to eat their words. He immediately established himself as a starter, finishing his rookie year with 20.0ppg along with 6.9rpg. Now in his sophomore season, he has anchored the Magic to a playoff position with his best performance of the season so far coming against defending champions the Denver Nuggets. In that game he finished with a 30 point triple-double, leading the Magic to a win despite Orlando losing eight players through injury. His athleticism for his size is incredible and he looks to be a shoo-in for his first All-star appearance with his averages and 3pt% up dramatically from last year.
Chet Holmgreen – 21
Although he may not have been picked first in 2022 as many predicted, Holmgreen is still making good on the promise he showed in News vard. The 7-footer went second instead, picked by the Oklahoma City Thunder, but agonizingly missed out his entire rookie season through a Lisfranc injury in his foot that occurred during a Pro-am game. He has hit the ground running in 2023 however with an incredibly efficient 53/39/76 shooting split for a man of his stature and volume. He protects the rim to a very high level and as of writing has helped the Thunder to the fifth overall best win percentage in the entirety of the league.
Anthony Edwards – 22
Despite already having an All-Star appearance to his name, Anthony Edwards seems to be reaching new heights week after week. As one of the highest volume shooting guards in the league his 46.5fg% is very impressive as is his 39.3tpt%. He is averaging 26-5-5 per-night which is an even scarier statistic when you consider that he is yet to even touch his prime. The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently the top seed in the West with their form anchored by Edwards. We are looking at a potential new face of the league in the Ant Man and at just 22 his glass ceiling is however high he decides to build it.
LaMelo Ball – 22
It seems strange to call LaMelo Ball a rising star considering he is now in his fourth season as an NBA player after being picked third overall by the Charlotte Hornets as a 19-year-old in 2020. He was named rookie of the year in 2021 and went on to make his first All-Star appearance the following season. There was heartbreak in 2023 however when he fractured his ankle, ending his season with the Hornets finishing the year second from bottom of the East in his absence. While Charlotte continue to perform poorly, Ball is undoubtedly the diamond in the rough and a cornerstone player that can have a team built around him for a decade. He is averaging 26-5-8, improving his shooting this year and continuing to show his elite passing ability. Ball is a superstar in the making and with his injuries seemingly behind him he is now lighting up the floor.
Victor Wembanyama – 20
Victor Wembanyama was arguably a star before he even joined the league. The French center was picked first overall by the San Antonio Spurs to the surprise of nobody, with much of the fanfare around the 2023 draft being down to him. He is averaging a double-double in his rookie season with 2.3pts and 10.0 rebounds. He is still a little raw at just 20-years-old, but his athleticism for his size is undeniable. We have seen plenty enough from him already to confirm that he will be in the argument surrounding who is the best player in the league sooner rather than later and for Wemby the sky is truly the limit.
