In 1994, the identical yr that SLAM was based, one other staple within the basketball world made its massive 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 means of intensive programming, the Prime 100 Camp prepares elite highschool hoopers for regardless of the future might maintain, each on and off the courtroom. The camp emphasizes three core ideas vital for gamers to maximise their potential: character, training and ability growth.
Campers obtain mentorship from present and former NBA gamers and comply with a sophisticated coaching routine designed to organize them for the following degree. As well as, each camper participates in group discussions and lessons centering on matters reminiscent of stress administration, recruiting pressures and extra.
Since ’94, lots of of NBA gamers have come by the Prime 100 Camp. This yr’s occasion is about to happen on the ESPN Huge World of Sports activities Complicated on the Walt Disney World Resort close to Orlando, FL, from June 8-13.
However first, to have a good time 30 unimaginable years, we’re wanting again on the prime 30 NBPA members who’ve hit the courtroom on the Prime 100 Camp.
30. Zach LaVine
Of all of the high-flyers on this checklist, Zach LaVine may need the craziest hops. At 6-5, 200 kilos, he in some way makes zipping previous defenders, hovering by 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 appropriate candidate for this checklist, 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 duvet 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. In actual fact, on the Prime 100 Camp in 2016, he was named MVP. Sadly, the Zion expertise has been restricted within the NBA as a result of accidents, however when the New Orleans Pelicans star has been wholesome, he’s been an unstoppable power 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 all over the 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’ll be able to’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—with a view to win, you gotta have Bam on the market on the ground.” That every one nonetheless applies as we speak.
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 prime recruits within the nation. He went to the College of Kentucky for one yr, starring alongside Bam Adebayo and Malik Monk, earlier than coming into the 2017 NBA Draft, the place he was picked fifth total 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
Now we have seen only a few massive males within the historical past of the NBA with the flexibility and ability set of Karl-Anthony Cities. That’s to say: Now we have seen only a few massive males within the historical past of the NBA who’re simply as comfy behind the arc and within the mid-range as they’re within the paint. KAT, now 28, stands seven ft tall, has averaged 10.8 rebounds per sport over his 9 seasons within the League and is a profession 40 % three-point shooter. And he simply helped lead the perfect Timberwolves crew in 20 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 sometimes, he threw down a dunk so vicious, so highly effective, so unbelievable, that teammates and followers had 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 nearly 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 ability. To place it plainly: the explosive guard—at present on the NBPA Government Committee—is inconceivable to cease. And at 27 years previous, he’s simply coming into his prime.
23. Al Horford
For the previous 16 years, Huge Al has been an enormous presence within the NBA. The dependable heart remains to be taking part in a pivotal function for a traditionally good Boston Celtics crew that simply tore its method by the Japanese Convention. Horford was a star at Grand Ledge Excessive College in Michigan, gained back-to-back nationwide championships on the College of Florida (2006, 2007) and has been named an All-Star 5 occasions throughout his prolonged NBA profession (4 occasions with the Hawks, as soon as with the Cs). And he ain’t achieved but.
22. Kyle Lowry
When he entered the League in 2006, Kyle Lowry didn’t take off immediately. In actual fact, 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, turned a everlasting starter. Lowry hasn’t seemed again since, guiding groups in Houston, Toronto, Miami and Philly together with his hard-nosed, aggressive, energetic model of play—a mode that has made him a fan favourite and earned him six All-Star choices. Within the North, the place he gained a championship in 2019, Lowry will all the time be generally 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 all the time placed on a present. After starring at UCLA, Davis was the third total choose within the 1999 Draft and helped lead a formidable Hornets crew for the primary stretch of his professional profession. He later joined the enduring “We Consider” 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 observe.
