The Top 10 Rising NBA Players You Need to Watch This Season

As I sit down to analyze this upcoming NBA season, I can't help but feel that special buzz in the air that only comes when fresh talent is about to explode onto the scene. Having followed basketball religiously for over fifteen years, I've developed a sixth sense for spotting players who are about to make that crucial leap from promising prospect to legitimate game-changer. This season feels particularly rich with emerging talent, and I'm genuinely excited to share my perspective on which rising stars deserve your attention.

Let me start with a player who's been absolutely dominating my thoughts lately - Victor Wembanyama. The San Antonio Spurs rookie isn't just tall at 7'4" - he's a basketball unicorn who averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and an astonishing 3.6 blocks per game in his debut season. What makes Wembanyama special isn't just his physical attributes, though watching him defend the perimeter like a guard while being taller than most centers is frankly surreal. It's his basketball IQ that blows me away - he reads plays two steps ahead like a chess grandmaster. I've watched every single one of his games from last season, and I'm convinced we're looking at a future MVP if he stays healthy. The way he's transformed the Spurs' defensive identity single-handedly reminds me of Tim Duncan's early years, but with more perimeter versatility.

Speaking of versatility, Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams has become one of my personal favorites to watch. His sophomore season numbers of 19.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.1 steals don't fully capture his impact. What I love about Williams is his old-school midrange game combined with modern efficiency - he shot 54% from the field last year, which is exceptional for a wing player. Having studied his game film extensively, I've noticed how he uses his 7'2" wingspan to create passing lanes and finish through contact. The Thunder have built something special, and Williams is the perfect complementary star to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I'd argue he's the second-most important player on a team that surprised everyone by making the Western Conference semifinals last season.

Now, let me shift to someone who might not be on everyone's radar yet - Houston's Alperen Şengün. The Turkish big man was putting up All-Star numbers before his season-ending injury, averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. What fascinates me about Şengün is his throwback post game combined with modern playmaking skills. He passes like a point guard from the center position, and I've found myself rewinding his games just to study his footwork in the low post. The Rockets were 5.2 points better per 100 possessions with him on the floor last season, which tells you everything about his impact. If he returns fully healthy, I believe he could average 23 points and 7 assists this season - numbers we haven't seen from a center since Nikola Jokić's early years.

While we're talking about international talent, I have to mention Josh Giddey's move to Chicago. The Australian guard never quite fit in Oklahoma City's system last season, but I think the Bulls might unlock something special in him. His court vision is among the best I've seen for a player his age - he averaged 6.4 assists despite playing reduced minutes last year. What excites me about Giddey in Chicago is the potential pairing with Zach LaVine. If they develop chemistry, we could be looking at one of the most dynamic backcourts in the Eastern Conference. I've always believed Giddey was misused in Oklahoma City, and this fresh start could be exactly what he needs to showcase his unique skill set.

The evolution of Scottie Barnes in Toronto deserves special attention. After winning Rookie of the Year, Barnes took what I consider to be the most significant leap of any young player last season, increasing his scoring from 15.3 to 19.9 points per game while improving his three-point shooting to 34%. What impresses me most about Barnes is his defensive versatility - he can legitimately guard all five positions. Having watched him develop over three seasons, I'm convinced he has All-NBA potential if he continues improving his outside shooting. The Raptors have committed to building around him, and I expect him to make his first All-Star appearance this season.

What's fascinating about tracking rising NBA talent is how it parallels developments in international basketball. Just as Alas Pilipinas prepares for the 2025 Southeast Asian V.League with nearly their full roster available, we're seeing NBA teams increasingly value global scouting. The success of international players like Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo has transformed how teams evaluate talent, and this season's rising stars reflect that globalized approach to roster construction.

Coming back to stateside talent, I'm particularly bullish on Memphis' Desmond Bane. His improvement each season has been remarkable - from 9.2 points as a rookie to 23.7 last season while maintaining elite shooting efficiency. What makes Bane special in my view is his combination of strength and shooting mechanics. He shot 38.4% from three-point range last season despite being the primary focus of opposing defenses after Ja Morant's suspension. Having studied his shooting form closely, I believe he has the most repeatable mechanics in the league outside of Stephen Curry. When Morant returns healthy, I expect Bane's efficiency to improve even further with better looks.

The Clippers' Terance Mann represents a different kind of rising talent - the glue guy who does everything well without necessarily filling up the stat sheet. What I appreciate about Mann is his basketball intelligence and versatility. He can defend multiple positions, handle the ball in a pinch, and has improved his three-point shooting to 35% last season. In today's positionless basketball era, players like Mann are increasingly valuable, and I believe he's poised for a breakout season now that he'll have more opportunities in the Clippers' rotation.

As we look toward the season, what excites me most is how these rising players represent different paths to stardom. Some are high draft picks meeting expectations, others are later picks exceeding them, and all are evolving within the NBA's increasingly sophisticated development systems. Having watched this league transform over the past decade, I'm convinced we're entering a golden era of young talent that could rival the legendary 2003 draft class in terms of depth and impact. The convergence of international scouting, advanced analytics, and player development has created the perfect environment for these talents to flourish, and I feel privileged to witness their ascent in real time.