The anticipation surrounding the annual Top 100 NBA player rankings has reached its peak, and this year's list is packed with significant movements that reflect players' performances, advancements, and setbacks over the past season.
Remarkable Climbs and Career Highs
Victor Wembanyama’s meteoric rise stands out the most, leaping from the 58th to the 12th spot on the rankings. This dramatic progression is backed by his post-All-Star break statistics, where he averaged an impressive 23.5 points, 12 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 4.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. Wembanyama's unique skill set has garnered high praise from pundits. As Sam Quinn aptly said, "We're not just talking about the next great NBA player here. We're talking about the sort of player this sport has never seen, the next step in its evolution." Quinn further emphasized, "He is the ultimate marriage of size and skill, the culmination of everything this sport has been building towards for the past decade."
Similarly, Chet Holmgren has made a significant jump from 68th to 30th. His potential trajectory in the NBA appears exceedingly bright. Jasmyn Wimbish expressed high expectations, noting, "Holmgren is on a career trajectory to be a mainstay at the All-Star Game, as well as a frequenter of end-of-season awards ballots like All-NBA and All-Defense." Jack Maloney added, "Holmgren has the on-and-off-ball skills to easily scale up and down depending on the situation."
Another player seeing a substantial rise is Tyrese Maxey, moving from 60th to 24th. His improved play has evidently caught the attention of analysts and fans alike. Alperen Sengün also made notable progress, climbing from 85th to 47th, showcasing his strength and finesse around the rim, attributes that Jasmyn Wimbish highlighted as making him particularly challenging to defend.
New Faces in the Rankings
Several previously unranked players have made their debut on this year’s list. Brandon Miller, Jalen Suggs, and Coby White have secured the 66th, 70th, and 71st spots, respectively. Isaiah Hartenstein also enters the rankings at 73rd. Derrick White and Jalen Williams moved to 36th and 37th, respectively, cementing their positions as key players in the league.
Notable Drops and Departures
While some players climbed the ranks, others weren’t as fortunate. Andrew Wiggins, who was previously at 48th, and Josh Giddey, formerly at 61st, have fallen out of the rankings completely. This could be partly attributed to personal challenges, as Brad Botkin noted, "His father, former NBA player Mitchell Wiggins, recently died, and Andrew had taken multiple leaves of absence the past two years as his father's health was in decline."
Brook Lopez experienced a significant drop from 50th to 88th. Similarly, Marcus Smart fell from 56th to 93rd, while Zach LaVine slipped from 43rd to 76th. Klay Thompson, once a solid presence in the top 100 at 67th, now finds himself at 99th. Bradley Beal, who was 38th last year, dropped to 69th. Notably absent from this year's list are Chris Paul and Malcolm Brogdon, the latter of whom Brad Botkin succinctly described, "Brogdon is a good player but not a top-100 guy under these conditions."
It's also worth mentioning that this year’s rankings saw no rookies making the cut, a deviation from previous years when newly drafted players often made immediate impacts. Draymond Green, a consistently recognized name, moved from 30th to 56th, reflecting a recalibration of his standing within the league.
These rankings paint a dynamic picture of the ever-evolving NBA landscape, underscoring the unpredictable nature of player development and performance. As the new season unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching whether these trends continue or if new patterns emerge, reshaping the perceptions of these top-tier athletes.