Home Basketball NBA Executive Vote: Luka Dončić and Victor Wembanyama Lead List of Top Players Under 25

NBA Executive Vote: Luka Dončić and Victor Wembanyama Lead List of Top Players Under 25

Basketball — 11/25/2023

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The NBA executives’ selection of the best five players under 25 years old is led by rookie Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and superstar Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks.

SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 25: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on October 25, 2023 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photos by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Anonymized league executives selected Dončić as the best young player in a survey by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, with the 19-year-old French sensation coming in second.

The top five was completed by Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley, Memphis Grizzlies point player Ja Morant, and Minnesota Timberwolves wing Anthony Edwards.

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Since joining the NBA in 2018, Dončić, who is still only 24 years old, has developed into one of the league’s finest players. Despite shooting 46.6 percent from the field, he has career averages of 27.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game.

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In addition, he has played in 28 postseason games, including the Mavericks’ 2022 Western Conference Finals run.

An NBA executive stated, “Luka has size, skill, durability, and an ability to control the game” (via Scotto). “If you can get him to commit defensively and ask no more than his size and IQ already allow, he’s one of the three or four best players in the league.”

Even though Wembanyama has only dressed for one regular season game, executives were obviously drawn to him because of his potential as a 7’4″ ball handler and shooter.

Another unnamed executive stated, “As long as he stays healthy, it’s going to be nearly impossible for him to fail,” according to Scotto. “I simply believe that his defense could elevate your team to a whole new level even if he weren’t particularly effective offensively. But he have the skills and abilities to be a very effective offensive player.”

While Morant is among the NBA’s finest point guards when he’s on the court, Edwards appears ready for a breakout season after emerging as Team USA’s best option during the FIBA World Cup this summer.

Mobley is a defensive force in the paint; in the previous season, he blocked 2.0 shots per game and came in third in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year.

Tyrese Haliburton, Amen Thompson, LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Maxey, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Zion Williamson were among the other prominent players who cast ballots in the survey.