Overview
- ESPN finalized the top 10 Thursday, placing Nikola Jokic at No. 1 ahead of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Jalen Brunson, with the Lakers the only team featuring two top-10 players (Doncic and James).
- Cooper Flagg debuted at No. 52 as the only rookie in the top 100’s initial release, drawing broad social-media pushback for ranking ahead of veterans such as Paul George and Zion Williamson.
- Devin Booker ranked 16th and was the Phoenix Suns’ only player on the list after offseason changes that sent Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal to new teams.
- San Antonio’s contingent included De’Aaron Fox at 35, Devin Vassell at 94 and reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle at 99 in the 100–51 and 50–11 installments.
- For Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey placed 28th, Joel Embiid 47th and Paul George 54th, outcomes tied by ESPN’s write-ups to health uncertainty under a methodology that polls more than 150 voters on player-versus-player projections for 2025–26.