Last month, HoopsHype listed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the 12th-best player among those under the age of 25. ESPN thinks slightly higher of the young Oklahoma City Thunder guard.
Analysts Bobby Marks, Kevin Pelton and Mike Schmitz put together their own 25 under 25 rankings. Gilgeous-Alexander finished at No. 10.
He was sandwiched between Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo at No. 9 and New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram at No. 11.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if SGA lands in the top five of next year’s list,” writes Schmitz. “Taking the torch from Chris Paul, Gilgeous-Alexander has produced like the face of the franchise, improving his efficiency despite shouldering a much larger load in his third season.”
Still under 23 years old, Gilgeous-Alexander has two more years to move up these rankings.
The list was based on potential, not just current play or what the player has shown over the years.
Schmitz was the most positive about Gilgeous-Alexander’s potential, ranking him at No. 7 on his personal ballot ahead of the likes of Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons.
Pelton had him at No. 11 while Marks pegged him at 12.
As with every single ranking anyone has ever made about the NBA, there was controversy. While fans of teams had issues with their own players’ spots — as you might with their ranking of Gilgeous-Alexander — a prevalent one seemed to be Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum at No 5, below Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell at 4 and Charlotte Hornets rookie guard LaMelo Ball at 3.
Pelton had Tatum at 3 and Schmitz had him at 4, but Marks had him at No. 13 — one spot below his placement for Gilgeous-Alexander.
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Luka Doncic earned the top spot while Pelicans forward/center Zion Williamson was No. 2.
This post originally appeared on OKCThunderWire. Follow us on Facebook!
