For years, the faces of the NBA were a constant: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and other legendary veterans set the standard that the rest of the league followed. But, in recent seasons, a dynamic changing of the guard has swept across the league.
A new crop of sensational talent is rapidly ascending to the top of the NBA ranks. This shift is highlighted by generational talents like the 7-foot-4 phenom Victor Wembanyama and emerging superstars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who secured his first MVP award in the 2024-25 season. Across all 30 teams, more highly-touted young players are stepping into pivotal roles, ushering in an exciting new era of basketball.
This surge of youth raises an inevitable question: Who are the absolute youngest players in the NBA today?
Below is a list of the youngest players in the NBA for the 2024-25 season, sorted by their age on opening night, including key rookies and rising stars.
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1. Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
Age at start of season: 18 years, 304 days
Birthday: Dec. 21, 2006
Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, is currently the youngest player on an active NBA roster.
In his one year at Duke, Flagg was highly decorated, earning Consensus first-team All-American and Consensus national player of the year honors as a freshman while averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He also secured the ACC Player of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year awards in the same season, a rare accomplishment. He made his debut for the Mavericks on Oct. 22, 2025.
MORE: Will Cooper Flagg win Rookie of the Year?
2. Noa Essengue, Bulls
Age at start of season: 18 years, 307 days
Birthday: Dec. 18, 2006
Noa Essengue, the 12th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, is one of the youngest and most intriguing rookies on an active NBA roster.
The French forward spent the 2024-25 season establishing himself as a key contributor for Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany's Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) and the EuroCup, showcasing his elite athleticism and defensive versatility against professional competition. In his final year in Europe, he averaged 11.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for Ulm.
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3. Joan Beringer, Timberwolves
Age at start of season: 18 Years, 349 Days
Birthday: Nov. 6, 2006
Joan Beringer, the 17th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, did not start playing organized basketball until he was nearly 15, having previously focused on soccer. Despite his late start, he quickly leveraged his elite athleticism, 6-foot-11 frame and impressive 7-foot-4.5 wingspan to become a major professional prospect.
He spent the 2024-25 season with Cedevita Olimpija in Slovenia, where he demonstrated his high-motor, defensive-anchor potential, leading the ABA League in block percentage. Beringer projects as an outstanding vertical spacer, lob threat and switchable rim protector whose defense should earn him minutes early in his career.
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4. Jeremiah Fears, Pelicans
Age at start of season: 19 Years, 7 Days
Birthday: Oct. 14, 2006
Jeremiah Fears, the 7th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, is an explosive American guard for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Known for his quickness and scoring prowess, he was one of the highest-rated prep guards in the class. In his one season at Oklahoma, he was one of the most prolific scorers in the country, averaging 17.1 points per game. He debuted for the Pelicans in October 2025.
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5. Khaman Maluach, Suns
Age at start of season: 19 Years, 37 Days
Birthday: Sept. 14, 2006
Khaman Maluach, the 10th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, is a towering center from South Sudan playing for the Phoenix Suns. At 7-foot-1, Maluach is highly regarded for his defensive potential, mobility and wingspan, drawing comparisons to elite rim protectors. After spending a year at Duke, the Suns selected him as a key piece to solidify their interior defense for the future.
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6. Ace Bailey, Jazz
Age at start of season: 19 Years, 69 Days
Birthday: Aug. 13, 2006
Ace Bailey was the 5th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft after spending his lone year of college at Rutgers. The forward was one of the highest-rated recruits coming out of high school, and the scoring translated to college, where he was one of the highest-scoring freshman in America. His athleticism, highlight-reel plays and potential as a versatile scorer made him a consensus top-5 talent.
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7. Rocco Zikarsky, Timberwolves
Rocco Zikarsky
Age at start of season: 19 Years, 69 Days
Birthday: Aug. 13, 2006
Rocco Zikarsky was the the 45th overall pick (2nd Round) of the 2025 NBA Draft. He was initially drafted by the Chicago Bulls but was immediately traded to the Timberwolves, who signed him to a two-way contract.
Zikarsky is notable for his exceptional size, measuring 7-foot-3 with the highest standing reach at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. He began his professional career early as the youngest player in the NBL's Next Stars program, playing two seasons for the Brisbane Bullets.
MORE: 18 best second-round draft picks in NBA history
8. Kasparas Jakucionis, Heat
Age at start of season: 19 Years, 145 Days
Birthday: May 29, 2006
Kasparas Jakučionis made a significant jump in his professional path, opting to play one season of college basketball for the Illinois Fighting Illini after spending time in the youth ranks of FC Barcelona in Spain. As a freshman at Illinois, he was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team and the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, setting a program record for assists by a freshman in a season opener. He averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.
He was selected by the Miami Heat with the 20th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft.
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9. Nolan Traore, Nets
Age at start of season: 19 Years, 146 Days
Birthday: May 28, 2006
Nolan Traoré spent his draft year establishing himself as one of Europe's top young playmakers, utilizing his speed and aggressive driving ability. The Brooklyn Nets, who selected him with the 19th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, view him as a potential long-term lead guard, bringing international experience and a high basketball IQ to their backcourt.
He debuted for the Nets in October 2025.
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10. Ben Saraf, Nets
Age at start of season: 19 Years, 190 Days
Birthday: Apr. 14, 2006
Ben Saraf is known as an elite shooter and scoring threat, having been a standout talent in Israeli basketball leagues. The Nets secured him late in the first round to bolster their perimeter shooting and offensive efficiency. He joined his fellow rookie, Traoré, making his debut for the Nets in October 2025.
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11. Dylan Harper, Spurs
Age at start of season: 19 Years, 233 Days
Birthday: Mar. 2, 2006
Dylan Harper, the 2nd overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, is an elite guard selected by the San Antonio Spurs. As the son of former NBA champion Ron Harper and brother of NBA player Ron Harper Jr., Dylan entered the league with an immense pedigree and a reputation as a big, versatile playmaker who can score inside and facilitate.
The Spurs view him as a primary building block to pair with their existing young stars, including Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. He debuted for the Spurs in October 2025.
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12. Egor Demin, Nets
Age at start of season: 19 Years, 237 Days
Birthday: Feb. 27, 2006
Egor Demin joins his other two Nets rookies on the list after being the first of five selected by Brooklyn in the NBA Draft.
The Russian spent his lone year of college at BYU, where he was the primary ball-handler for a team that made it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen.
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13. Tre Johnson, Wizards
Age at start of season: 19 Years, 241 Days
Birthday: Feb. 23, 2006
Tre Johnson was widely considered one of the best pure scorers in the 2025 draft, bringing a deep offensive arsenal, including a polished mid-range game. The Washington Wizards selected him to become a foundational scorer for their future backcourt. He made his NBA debut in October 2025.
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14. Will Riley, Wizards
Will Riley
Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Age at start of season: 19 Years, 228 Days
Birthday: Feb. 10, 2006
StartFragment Will Riley spent his only college season at Illinois, becoming one of the better freshman in the conference. The Canada native was named the Big Ten sixth man of the year for the 2024-25 season after setting the Illinois freshman scoring record.EndFragment
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15. Hugo Gonzalez, Celtics
Age at start of season: 19 Years, 255 Days
Birthday: Feb. 23, 2006
Hugo Gonzalez developed in the renowned Real Madrid system, playing pro basketball in Europe. The Celtics selected the forward late in the first round to add a polished, low-mistake player with pro experience to their deep squad.
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16. Carter Bryant, Spurs
Carter Bryant Corona Centennial
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Age at start of season: 19 Years, 335 Days
Birthday: Nov. 20, 2005
Carter Bryant is known for his size, fluidity and shooting potential after spending his freshman year at Arizona. The Spurs used their second first-round pick to add another versatile piece, complementing their core with a player who can fill multiple roles.
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17. Jase Richardson, Magic
Age at start of season: 20 Years, 5 Days
Birthday: Oct. 16, 2005
Jase Richardson, the son of former NBA player Jason Richardson, played college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans, where he earned Third-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors in 2025. He averaged 12.1 points, shooting 49.3% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range as a freshman.
Richardson possesses a 6-foot-6 wingspan and is known for his skill-level, pace, feel for the game and perimeter shooting. The Magic selected him to provide shooting and be a secondary ball-handler off the bench.
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18. Liam McNeeley, Hornets
Liam McNeeley 020925
Age at start of season: 20 Years, 11 Days
Birthday: Oct. 10, 2005
Liam McNeeley was a highly-rated prospect who played his lone college season for the UConn Huskies, where he was named the 2025 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and an All-Conference Third Team pick. He averaged 14.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, with a career-high 38 points in a game against Creighton.
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19. Asa Newell, Hawks
© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Age at start of season: 20 Years, 16 Days
Birthday: Oct. 6, 2005
Asa Newell played one collegiate season for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors. He averaged 15.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, showcasing the potential of a versatile frontcourt player. Newell was initially drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans but was immediately traded to the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks view him as a player who can add depth and athleticism to their frontcourt. He logged his first career NBA double-double on Oct. 26, 2025, with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
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20. VJ Edgecombe, 76ers
Age at start of season: 20 Years, 22 Days
Birthday: Sep. 29, 2005
VJ Edgecombe was the 3rd overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, is a Bahamian shooting guard for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Edgecombe played one season of college basketball for the Baylor Bears, where he was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and earned Second-team All-Big 12 honors. He averaged 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals in his lone collegiate season. Edgecombe is known as a truly elite athlete, a trait that the 76ers highly valued when they selected him.
In his NBA regular season debut on Oct. 22, 2025, Edgecombe exploded for 34 points, seven rebounds and three assists in a win over the Boston Celtics. His 34 points accounted for the third-most ever scored by a rookie in his NBA debut, joining Allen Iverson as the only rookies in 76ers history to record 30 points in their first NBA game.
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