In 1994, the identical 12 months that SLAM was based, one other staple within the basketball world made its large debut: the Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation’s Prime 100 Camp. For 3 many years, the NBPA has been concerned in guiding lots of your favourite gamers lengthy earlier than they reached the NBA. By in depth programming, the Prime 100 Camp prepares elite highschool hoopers for regardless of the future could maintain, each on and off the court docket. The camp emphasizes three core ideas vital for gamers to maximise their potential: character, schooling and talent improvement.
Campers obtain mentorship from present and former NBA gamers and observe a sophisticated coaching routine designed to arrange them for the subsequent degree. As well as, each camper participates in group discussions and lessons centering on matters similar to stress administration, recruiting pressures and extra.
Since ’94, tons of of NBA gamers have come via the Prime 100 Camp. This 12 months’s occasion is ready to happen on the ESPN Extensive World of Sports activities Complicated on the Walt Disney World Resort close to Orlando, FL, from June 8-13.
However first, to rejoice 30 unimaginable years, we’re wanting again on the high 30 NBPA members who’ve hit the court docket on the Prime 100 Camp.
30. Zach LaVine
Of all of the high-flyers on this listing, Zach LaVine may need the craziest hops. At 6-5, 200 kilos, he one way or the other makes zipping previous defenders, hovering via the air and punching a nasty jam over a seven-footer look easy. His jaw-dropping highlights and unimaginable performances in dunk contests—like his legendary duel with Aaron Gordon in 2016—alone make him an acceptable candidate for this listing, however LaVine can also be a two-time All-Star and an elite all-around scorer who has averaged over 20 factors per sport for his profession.
29. Zion Williamson
It’s uncommon for a highschool participant to land on the quilt of SLAM. However then once more, it’s uncommon for a highschool participant to be like Zion Williamson was in 2017. The child from Spartanburg, SC, demanded our consideration, frequently going viral on social media for his unfathomable dunks and blocks. The eventual cowl line: “He’s 16. He’s 6-7. He’s explosive like Russ. He dunks like LeBron. Are you prepared for Zion Williamson?” No lies informed. The truth is, on the Prime 100 Camp in 2016, he was named MVP. Sadly, the Zion expertise has been restricted within the NBA because of accidents, however when the New Orleans Pelicans star has been wholesome, he’s been an unstoppable drive who nonetheless lights up social media.
28. Bam Adebayo
In an interview with SLAM in 2019, Jimmy Butler described his teammate Bam Adebayo—now a 3x All-Star—completely: “He works tremendous onerous and he’s in every single place on the ground. You want him to cross it, he can cross it. He rebounds, he handles the ball, he units nice screens. You may’t take him off the ground. He’s a key half to what we wish to do and what we’ll proceed to do. [Head coach Erik Spoelstra] is aware of—in an effort to win, you gotta have Bam on the market on the ground.” That each one nonetheless applies at the moment.
27. De’Aaron Fox
Don’t blink—you would possibly miss De’Aaron Fox do one thing spectacular. The lightning fast guard was a McDonald’s All-American in highschool, ranked as one of many high recruits within the nation. He went to the College of Kentucky for one 12 months, starring alongside Bam Adebayo and Malik Monk, earlier than getting into the 2017 NBA Draft, the place he was picked fifth general by the Sacramento Kings. Slowly however absolutely, Fox has developed into an All-Star and made the Kings thrilling and related for the primary time in a very long time.
26. Karl-Anthony Cities
We have now seen only a few large males within the historical past of the NBA with the flexibility and talent set of Karl-Anthony Cities. That’s to say: We have now seen only a few large males within the historical past of the NBA who’re simply as snug behind the arc and within the mid-range as they’re within the paint. KAT, now 28, stands seven toes tall, has averaged 10.8 rebounds per sport over his 9 seasons within the League and is a profession 40 p.c three-point shooter. And he simply helped lead one of the best Timberwolves staff in twenty years all the way in which to the Western Convention Finals.
25. DeAndre Jordan
Throughout these peak Lob Metropolis years, DeAndre Jordan owned the paint for the Los Angeles Clippers. He managed the glass, averaging 13.1 rebounds per sport from 2013-18. He protected the rim, averaging 1.8 blocks over that very same span. And infrequently, he threw down a dunk so vicious, so highly effective, so unbelievable, that teammates and followers have been left questioning what the hell simply occurred (please go rewatch his poster on Brandon Knight). Jordan now brings veteran management to the Denver Nuggets, the place he helped the franchise seize its first championship in 2023.
24. Donovan Mitchell
Twelve groups handed on Spida within the 2017 NBA Draft. Twelve. Mitchell, who hails from Elmsford, NY, and went to varsity at Louisville, made most of these groups remorse that call virtually instantly. He averaged 20.5 factors as a rookie and was an All-Star by his third season. He’s now made 5 straight All-Star Video games, together with in 2023 when he was named a starter. Only a few gamers within the League possess Mitchell’s mixture of athleticism and talent. To place it plainly: the explosive guard—presently on the NBPA Government Committee—is unattainable to cease. And at 27 years outdated, he’s simply getting into his prime.
23. Al Horford
For the previous 16 years, Huge Al has been a large presence within the NBA. The dependable heart continues to be enjoying a pivotal function for a traditionally good Boston Celtics staff that simply tore its means via the Japanese Convention. Horford was a star at Grand Ledge Excessive Faculty in Michigan, received back-to-back nationwide championships on the College of Florida (2006, 2007) and has been named an All-Star 5 instances throughout his prolonged NBA profession (4 instances with the Hawks, as soon as with the Cs). And he ain’t executed but.
22. Kyle Lowry
When he entered the League in 2006, Kyle Lowry didn’t take off instantly. The truth is, it wasn’t till his fifth season within the NBA that the 6-0 level guard, who had been traded by the Grizzlies to the Rockets in ’09, grew to become a everlasting starter. Lowry hasn’t regarded again since, guiding groups in Houston, Toronto, Miami and Philly along with his hard-nosed, aggressive, energetic type of play—a mode that has made him a fan favourite and earned him six All-Star picks. Within the North, the place he received a championship in 2019, Lowry will at all times be often known as Mr. Raptor.
21. Baron Davis
Baron Davis was an artist with the basketball. Ridiculous dribble packages, flashy assists, monster posters—the 1997 Gatorade Nationwide Participant of the Yr and two-time NBA All-Star at all times placed on a present. After starring at UCLA, Davis was the third general decide within the 1999 Draft and helped lead a formidable Hornets staff for the primary stretch of his professional profession. He later joined the long-lasting “We Imagine” Warriors squad that superior to the second spherical of the 2007 playoffs as a No. 8 seed. Accidents robbed us of extra years watching him play, no query, however when the electrifying guard was at his finest, that was a number of the most entertaining ball to look at.