Top-5 Under 25: Central Division

This is Part 5 of a six-part series to rank the top-5 players in every division under the age of 25. We take into account a player's performance as well as their potential. These rankings are intended to be fun and to initiate discussion on the league's best players. Stick up for your players, but be respectful about it!


Honorable Mentions: Dion Waiters, Andrew Harrison, Perry Ellis

Playing on a super team would make it very easy to be overlooked. Although he has only played in one game this season, Stephenson has the makings to be an animal on both ends of the floor playing with LeBron, Kobe and Dirk. He is a Jack of all trades and that should continue this year.

The versatile second year point-forward is one of the most unique players in the entire league. At 6’8”, he’s got the handling ability of most point guards, an inside-outside offensive game with length to disrupt jump shooters. He’s got a boatload of potential and can play anywhere from the one to the three. The question is which position can he defend?

The 4th year point guard is finally putting it all together and showing he is more than capable of being the lead guard for a playoff contending team. Knight can get to the rack at ease and has range out to the three-point line. Although his handles lack a little bit, he’s an adept passer and is a defensive animal. Playing off of Carmelo Anthony must make life much easier as well. He is in line for a big pay raise this coming offseason.

An athletic freak, Drummond is already one of the best post defenders and rim protectors in the league at the age of 21. He finishes everything around the rim and attacks the glass with reckless abandon. He’s averaging 3.3 blocked shots per game so far and there’s no reason to not believe for him to keep the average up over three all season long. Easily one of the most coveted big men in the league, Drummond has a bright future in the CSL.

One of the top scorers in the CSL last year, Irving is coming off a season in which he averaged 27.3 points, 6.1 boards nad 4.6 assists from the point guard position. You’ve got to love to see your floor general crashing the glass like that. Some thought he was a bit of a chucker last season, but he did connect on 49% of his FGs. He’s been hampered with an injury early this season but his talent is undeniable. He can score from anywhere on the floor and has great court vision in the passing game. Can you say “max deal”?

Really like Irving and Drummond is a beast already. I'd probably rate Stephenson ahead of Knight though

Are you guys still seeing potentials for Stephenson?

yep, still see a bit of growing that he can do especially on shooting and defense...

Ok, for me he has only some few potentials left. Thats why I would put Harrison at 5 instead of Lance.

I'd probably put Kyle Anderson above Brandon Knight, but other than that, I can't disagree with anything else really.

Good to see KA and Harrison mentioned. I hope to see them higher on the list in the future, though.

Some good talent in our division. Glad to see Drummond and Knight getting recognition and I think guys like Harrison and Anderson will be studs soon enough.

A lot of young talent here. Kyrie Irving was compared to Stephon Marbury/Steve Francis recently and unfortunately I see the similarity. Hopefully he doesn't turn out that way.