Rising Stars: 20 Under-23 Players Poised for NBA Playoff Glory

The NBA playoffs are a showcase for emerging talent, especially among players aged 23 and younger. Teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and Portland Trail Blazers are filled with young stars making their mark on the court.

This youthful talent is not only confined to those franchises. The Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, and several other teams feature standout players. Some are already named All-Stars, while others are well on their way to receiving similar accolades.

(Note: While Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder is 23, he turns 24 on May 1, so he is not included in this list.)

Let’s explore the rising stars in the first round of the NBA playoffs who are 23 years old or younger. They are listed alphabetically below:

Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic (23 years old)

• A future All-Star, Banchero has had an impressive season, averaging 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists.

Anthony Black, Orlando Magic (22)

• Black’s performance continues to rise. In his third season, he averages 15 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.4 steals with a shooting percentage of 44.7%.

Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs (21)

• This year’s Kia Rookie of the Year, Castle, improved his numbers significantly, going from 14.7 to 16.7 points per game, and his assists from 4.1 to 7.4.

Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers (22)

Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks (23)

• Recognized as one of the league’s top defenders, Daniels averaged 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, leading the league in steals with 2 per game.

Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons (22)

• Duren took significant strides this season, averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and a 65% shooting rate, leading to his first All-Star selection.

VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers (20)

• Edgecombe, the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, started a majority of games for a playoff team, averaging 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals while maintaining a shooting percentage of 43.8% overall.

Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs (20)

• The second overall pick in the 2025 draft, Harper’s per-36-minute stats show 18.8 points, 6.1 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals, with a shooting percentage of 50.5%.

Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers (22)

• After recovering from a hamstring tear that sidelined him for 51 games, Henderson averaged 15.9 points and shot 42.9% from beyond the arc in his final 18 games.

Jonathan Kuminga, Atlanta Hawks (23)

• Kuminga has displayed flashes of brilliance, including a standout performance of 24 points against Cleveland on April 8.

Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets (23)

• A two-time All-Star, Sengun was among the three players who averaged at least 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists this season.

Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers (22)

• Sharpe returned late in the season, posting a career-high average of 20.8 points per game.

Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets (21)

• Sheppard demonstrated his potential as the No. 3 pick in the 2024 Draft, averaging 13.5 points and 1.5 steals while shooting 39.4% from three-point range.

Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets (22)

• Playing alongside Kevin Durant benefited Smith, who averaged 15.8 points and 6.9 rebounds this season.

Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets (23)

• Amen, like his brother Ausar, showcases exceptional defense while efficiently scoring. He averaged 18.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals.

Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons (23)

• Thompson, a candidate for the All-Defensive Team, had a significant impact, helping the Pistons outscore opponents by 11.6 points per 100 possessions and tying for the league lead in steals at 2.0 per game.

Jaylon Tyson, Cleveland Cavaliers (23)

Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder (22)

• Wallace has been a strong defensive presence for the Thunder, averaging 8.6 points and 1.9 steals in 26.6 minutes.

Peyton Watson, Denver Nuggets (23)

• During a stretch of injuries for the Nuggets in December and January, Watson averaged 17.9 points and shot 42.6% from three-point range over 27 games.

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (22)

• As one of the league’s premier talents, Wembanyama has made a significant impact, averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 3.1 blocks this season.