NBA 20 Year Olds to Watch in 2022
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In a few years, a new crop of young stars will enter the NBA. Here are 20 players who will be 20 years old in 2022 and could be breakout stars.
Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson may only be 20 years old, but he’s already one of the most electric players in the NBA. The New Orleans Pelicans forward is a physical specimen at 6-foot-7 and 284 pounds, and he uses his powerful frame to bully opponents on both ends of the court. Williamson is an elite athlete with a rare combination of size, strength, and explosiveness, and he has the potential to be a once-in-a-generation player.
While Zion is still raw and has plenty of room to grow as a player, he’s already an elite scorer and rebounder. He averaged 22.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game as a rookie, and he shot 58.3 percent from the field. Zion also displayed his improving jump shot by knocking down 33.8 percent of his three-point attempts.
Defensively, Williamson is a force in the paint. He averaged 1.4 blocks per game as a rookie, and he has the potential to become one of the best rim protectors in the league. Zion’s size and strength allow him to body up opposing big men while his quickness allows him to defend smaller players on switches.
There’s no doubt that Zion Williamson is one of the most exciting young players in the NBA, and he should only get better with time. If he can continue to develop his Jump Shot and playmaking ability, there’s no telling how good he could become.
Ja Morant
Ja Morant is one of the best young players in the NBA. He’s only 20 years old, but he’s already shown that he has the potential to be a superstar in this league. He averaged 17.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game last season, and he’s only going to get better as he gets older. If you’re looking for a young player to watch in 2022, Ja Morant is definitely one of the best options.
RJ Barrett
RJ Barrett is one of the most talented 20 year olds in the NBA today He was the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft and he has already shown glimpses of his potential during his young career.
Barrett is a 6’7″ shooting guard who has the ability to score from anywhere on the court. He is an excellent shooter, and he has a knack for getting to the rim and finishing with authority. Barrett is also a very good rebounder for his position, and he has the potential to be an elite two-way player in the NBA.
The New York Knicks are counting on Barrett to be their franchise player, and he has already shown that he is up to the task. Barrett averaged 15.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game as a rookie, and he looks poised to take another step forward in his sophomore season.
If Barrett can continue to develop his game, he has a chance to be one of the best players in the NBA for many years to come. The Knicks are rebuilding around him, and they should be a much better team in the next few years because of it.
Coby White
Coby White 20, is already one of the most explosive scorers in the NBA. The 6’4” point guard averaged 15 points per game as a rookie with the Chicago Bulls last season, shooting an impressive 36% from three-point range White is an electric scorer who can get hot in a hurry, and he should only get better as he matures. Keep an eye on him in 2022!
Tyler Herro
Tyler Herro is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats As a freshman, he helped lead Kentucky to the 2019 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship game. He was drafted 13th overall by the Miami Heat in the 2019 NBA Draft
Kendrick Nunn
Kendrick Nunn was born on September 10, 1996 in Chicago, Illinois. Nunn played college basketball for the Oakland Golden Grizzlies and was drafted by the Miami Heat in the 2018 NBA Draft He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2019. In 2020, he averaged 15.6 points per game Nunn is scheduled to become a restricted free agent in 2022.
Bol Bol
Bol Bol is a 7-foot-2 center from Cameroon who played one season of College Basketball at the University of Oregon He was considered one of the best prospects in the 2019 NBA draft but fell to the second round due to concerns about his ability to stay healthy and be productive at the professional level.
Bol has an incredible wingspan and is an excellent shot blocker. He is also a good rebounder and has shown the ability to hit three-point shots, although he will need to become more consistent from long range if he wants to be successful in the NBA.
The biggest question surrounding Bol is his health. He missed most of his rookie season with a foot injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be able to stay healthy for a full 82-game NBA season If he can stay on the court, Bol has the potential to be a very good player in the league.
Zion Williamson
As the 2021-2022 NBA season approaches, there is much speculation about which young players will make the biggest impact. While there are many up-and-comers to keep an eye on, Zion Williamson is definitely one of the 20 year olds to watch in 2022.
The 6’7” forward from Duke University quickly made a name for himself with his incredible athleticism and highlight reel dunks. He was drafted first overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019 and went on to win Rookie of the Year in 2020. In just his second season, Williamson averaged 26.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game leading the Pelicans to the playoffs.
While some may question whether Williamson can maintain his high level of play over a full 82-game season, there is no denying his talent and potential. With his combination of size, strength, speed, and agility, Williamson has the ability to take over a game at any moment. If he can stay healthy and continue to develop his skillset, there is no doubt that he will be one of the best players in the NBA for years to come.
Ja Morant
Ja Morant is one of the most promising young players in the NBA today He was drafted in 2019 by the Memphis Grizzlies and immediately made an impact, averaging 17.6 points and 6.9 assists per game In 2020, he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year.
Morant is a dynamic player with exceptional Court Vision and playmaking ability. He has a High Basketball IQ and is always looking to make the right play. His athleticism allows him to finish at the rim with ease and he is also a very good shooter, especially from beyond the arc.
At just 20 years old, Ja Morant is already one of the best players in the NBA and has a very bright future ahead of him.
RJ Barrett
2022 will be an important year for the NBA as a number of big name players will become free agents Among them is RJ Barrett of the New York Knicks Barrett was the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft and has already shown glimpses of his potential. In his rookie season, he averaged 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
Barrett has a well-rounded game and is especially adept at scoring in the paint. He also has a good mid-range jumper and is a solid three-point shooter. He has good size for a shooting guard at 6’7” and should only get better as he matures physically. Barrett has the potential to be a star in the league and will be one to watch in 2022 when his rookie contract expires.
