The National Basketball Association (NBA) will make a return for its 79th season, and as always, basketball fans can expect the highest level of competitiveness from the best players in the world.
The Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship last season, as they were crowned champions for a record-setting 18th time in franchise history.
With the 2024-25 season set to tip-off in a few days, Afrosport highlights some of the best youngsters expected to make the biggest leaps in the incoming season.
Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
The San Antonio Spurs centre heads into his second season in the league having enjoyed a historic rookie campaign, where he was named the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year as well as being named to the All-Rookie First Team and All-Defensive First Team.
His meteoric rise from an NBA novice to becoming a superstar might shock many as he is only just 20- years -old, but the Spurs man was integral in helping France clinch a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game last season on a Spurs team that was the youngest in the league. However, with the introduction of veteran guard Chris Paul and wing Harrison Barnes, the French youngster is expected to grow by leaps and bounds as San Antonio pushes for a return to the playoffs.
Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
One of the biggest characters in the NBA, many may forget that Edwards is still 23 as the Minnesota Timberwolves guard has quickly become a household name in the league. He ended the 2023-24 season with career highs in points (25.9), field goal percentage (46.1), and assists (5.1), leading to his inclusion in the All-NBA Second Team.
The Timberwolves No. 5, who is heading into his fifth season in the NBA, led the franchise to a historic return to the playoffs before they were undone by the brilliance of the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals.
Now an Olympic gold medallist with Team USA, the young man has tasted what winning feels like, and he will be looking to lead the Timberwolves to another deep postseason run with the hopes of winning the franchise’s first NBA championship.
Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Holmgren sat out the entire 2022–23 NBA season and only had his debut season in the last campaign. He was a vital asset in helping the Oklahoma City Thunder secure the top spot in the West as well as reach the semifinals in the playoffs.
The 22-year-old was named to the All-NBA Rookie First Team after averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. With the improvement of the Thunder’s young core led by superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren is expected to make a huge leap in the upcoming season, going by his performances in his rookie campaign.
Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets)
In LaMelo Ball’s absence, Brandon Miller needed to grow up fast in a new league, and boy, did he?
The 21-year-old quickly became the leader of a Charlotte Hornets team lacking one, leading to a Rookie of the Year nomination as well as selection into the All-Rookie First Team.
Miller averaged 17.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 44% from the 3-point arc. The second overall pick in the 2023 Draft is expected to continue improving with numerous changes within the team.
Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors)
Kuminga stood out for a large part of the 2023-24 season in a Golden State Warriors side that lacked their usual brilliance and only managed to make the Play-In Tournament, where they lost to the Sacramento Kings.
The Congolese, entering his fourth season, has established himself as one of the go-to players on the Warriors roster, as he started all but one of their five games so far in preseason.
Kuminga’s rise was evident in his numbers last season, as he averaged career-highs in points (16.1), rebounds (4.8), and assists (2.2), as well as field-goal PCT (52.9).
Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Williams heads into his third season in the NBA, and going by his performances in his sophomore year, the 23-year-old surely is an emerging superstar in the league.
He was part of the West-leading OKC Thunder, forming a serious partnership with Gilgeous-Alexander. Williams enjoyed an increase in his points and assists averages, as he finished with 19.1 points and 4.5 assists, as well as career numbers in field-goal PCT (54.0) and 3PT% (42.7).
Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
Banchero, the first overall pick in the 2022 Draft, has helped revolutionise the Orlando Magic as the team clinched 47 wins in the past season, the most they have managed in a single season since 2010-11.
The 21-year-old, who has previously won the Rookie of the Year award, was named an All-Star last season, averaging career-highs in points (22.6), rebounds (6.9), assists (5.4), FG% (45.5), and 3pt% (33.9).
Having led the Magic to their first playoff berth since the 2019-20 bubble season as well as helped them clinch the Southeast division for the first time since the 2018-19 season, Banchero would be looking to lead the team to a deep playoff run as they failed to pass the first round where they were beaten by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers)
At 23, Mobley has established himself as one of the backbones of the Cleveland Cavaliers ranks. In the past season, the forward-centre attained career-highs in rebounds (9.4), assists (3.2), FG% (58.0), and 3PT% (37.3), adding 15.7 points.
Mobley’s importance to the Cavs cannot be overstated, and as he heads into his fourth season, more can be expected of the third overall pick in the 2021 Draft.
Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)
Barnes importance to the Toronto Raptors is highlighted by the rookie extension he signed worth about $225 million over five years and could reach about $270 million if he meets supermax criteria.
The 23-year-old was efficient for Toronto last season with career-highs in points (19.9), rebounds (8.2), assists (6.0), and 3 points (34.1). Already an All-Star, Barnes will be looking to return the Raptors to the playoffs as he heads into his fourth season in the NBA.
Brandin Podziemski (Golden State Warriors)
Podziemski was selected with the 19th pick by the Warriors in the 2023 Draft, and the 21-year-old has shown his qualities to the franchise.
At 6 feet 4, he led the NBA in charges drawn (38), showing that he has more than just attacking qualities. In his first season in the league, he was named to the All-Rookie First Team.
