[Observation] Beads? ESPN takes stock of 10 top 100 stars who book next year

Sports Weekly All Media Reporter Li Hui

ESPN previously announced the list of top 100 stars in the new season. In addition to players such as Tatum and Halliburton who were not selected due to injuries, there are undoubtedly some remaining beads on the list of top 100. ESPN's famous analyst Kevin Pelton wrote an article predicting 10 players who are expected to be among the top 100 stars next season.

Sourth-grader Dylan Harper, Spurs

Kon Kniper, Hornets

Pelton believes that these two players can perform well in the new season and be selected into the Top 100 next year. It is worth mentioning that ESPN’s top 100 stars have always had a predictive element, that is, they believe that the ranking of players next season. Therefore, by this time next year, Harper and Kniper are undoubtedly expected to have higher expectations for their future with their outstanding performance in the rookie season. Among the 2025 rookies, only Cooper Flag was selected as the top 100 stars, ranking 52nd.

The rising star Donovan Klingen, the Trail Blazers Klingen performed well in the rookie season. When he was on the court, his opponent's two-point shooting percentage dropped by 7.5%, which is second only to Vinban Yama in the league. His offensive level does have a lot of room for improvement, but with Ayton leaving the team, Klingen, who has secured the starter in the new season, is expected to improve his performance comprehensively.

Zachary Rissache, Hawks

Rissache is the only No. 1 pick in the past 10 years who has not been selected as the top 100 stars in his second season of his career. This is reasonable. After all, his performance in the rookie season is indeed not good enough. As the No. 1 pick in the draft, Lissache has not made too loud noises as people expect, but the improvement in the second half of the rookie season still gives the rookie a good prospect. Perhaps next year he will prove that he can at least be shortlisted for the top 100 stars.

Osal ​​Thompson, among the new top 100 stars, only Zubac's ranking has improved higher than Amen Thompson. As one of the twins, Osal Thompson's performance is not that amazing, but he also plays a crucial role in the Pistons' system. In the new season, the Pistons have a chance to become a better team, and so does Thompson. If he can increase his attendance and efficiency on the offensive end, he will undoubtedly be selected as the top 100 stars.

Claire Wealth, in the 36 games in the start of the rookie season, Wealth was able to hand in a double-double of 10.8 points and 10 rebounds, which proved his talent. In the new season, Weil will get more starting opportunities. With Adebayo, Weil can maximize his characteristics.

Return to the top 100 stars

Josh Giddy, Bulls

This is the most puzzled result for the top 100: Giddy was not included in the top 100. In 2023, Giddy ranked 53rd, but because of her poor performance in the 2023-2024 playoffs, Giddy withdrew from this list. But last season's Gidey is undoubtedly worthy of recognition. After the All-Star Game, he averaged 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game, and his three-point shooting percentage is as high as 46%. After successfully renewing the contract with the Bulls, Gidey will be more focused in the new season, and he is expected to easily return to the top 100 stars.

Herbert Jones, Pelicans

Jones played only 20 games last season, which affected his ranking this year. People's expectations for him should be the 2023-2024 season. He was selected for the first team of the best defensive team and ranked fifth in the selection of the best defensive player. If he can stay healthy in the new season, Jones can easily return to the list.

Blandin Podjemsky, the Warriors' outstanding performance in the rookie season made Podjemsky ranked 78th in last year's list. His performance last season was a bit lower than expected. However, the Warriors' lineup in the new season is even older, and Podjemsky will be placed with higher expectations. If he can make his performance more stable, it is not difficult for him to return to the top 100 at a young age.

Emanuel Quickley, Raptors

Quille ranked 64th last year because he averaged 17.1 points and 5.8 assists per game in the 2023-2024 season, which is probably his level. On the offensive end, Quickley has a strong talent. In the Raptors, if he stays healthy, he is still the team's best scorer.