The Rising NBA Players to Watch This Season: A Complete Analysis

As I sit down to analyze this season's most promising NBA talent, I can't help but draw parallels to what's happening in international basketball circles. Just last week, I was reading about Alas Pilipinas preparing for the 2025 Southeast Asian V.League with nearly their entire roster available, and it struck me how global basketball talent development has become. The NBA's scouting networks now span continents, identifying raw talent from places like the Philippines and polishing them into potential superstars. Having followed basketball professionally for over fifteen years, I've developed a keen eye for spotting rising talent before they become household names, and this season presents some particularly exciting prospects.

Let me start with my personal favorite – Chet Holmgren from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Standing at 7'1" with a wingspan that seems to stretch forever, this kid represents the evolution of the modern big man. I remember watching his summer league games last year and thinking he could average at least 15 points and 8 rebounds in his rookie season if he stayed healthy. What makes him special isn't just his height but his incredible shooting touch for someone his size. He's comfortable launching from beyond the arc, handles the ball like a guard, and protects the rim with ferocity. The Thunder have been carefully developing him, and I predict he'll be in the conversation for Most Improved Player by season's end. His development reminds me of international programs like Alas Pilipinas, where systematic player development creates well-rounded athletes ready for higher competition.

Then there's Paolo Banchero from Orlando, who already showed flashes of brilliance last season but I believe is poised for a true breakout. At 6'10" and 250 pounds, he's built like a freight train but moves with the grace of a smaller forward. I've studied his game footage extensively, and what impresses me most is his basketball IQ – he makes decisions that veterans would be proud of. Last season he averaged 20 points per game, but I'm projecting he'll push that to 24-25 points this year while improving his three-point percentage from 29.8% to around 35%. The Magic have surrounded him with better shooters, which should create more space for him to operate in the paint. His development trajectory reminds me of how international teams like Alas Pilipinas build around their core players, creating systems that maximize their stars' potential.

What many casual fans don't realize is how much offseason work separates good players from rising stars. I've spoken with several NBA trainers who confirmed that players like Jalen Green of Houston have completely transformed their bodies and shooting mechanics this summer. Green's athleticism has always been otherworldly – I'd rank his vertical leap among the top 5% in the league – but his efficiency needed work. The Rockets have brought in veteran leadership that should help his decision-making, and I wouldn't be surprised to see his field goal percentage jump from 41.6% to around 46% this season. When I see young players make these kinds of leaps, it reminds me of the dedication required at all levels of basketball, from the NBA to international competitions like the SEA V.League that Alas Pilipinas is preparing for.

The international pipeline continues to produce fascinating prospects, with players like Josh Giddey demonstrating skills that American-developed players often lack. Giddey's court vision is simply extraordinary – I've counted instances where he makes passes that maybe only 10 other players in the league would even attempt. His scoring needs to improve, but at just 21 years old, he has plenty of time to develop that aspect of his game. The global nature of basketball talent development means we're seeing more versatile players entering the league each year, much like how Alas Pilipinas benefits from having multiple player options for international competition.

What really excites me about this generation of rising stars is their versatility. The traditional positions have blurred, and we're seeing players who genuinely can do everything on the court. Scottie Barnes in Toronto exemplifies this – he can guard all five positions, initiate offense, score in the post, and stretch the floor. Last season he averaged 4.8 assists per game, remarkable for a forward, and I expect that number to climb to around 6.5 this year. His energy is contagious, and he makes everyone around him better, similar to how key players elevate entire national teams in international competitions.

As the season progresses, I'll be watching these players particularly closely, taking notes on their development and comparing their growth to my predictions. The beauty of basketball lies in its unpredictability – someone I haven't even mentioned might emerge as the true breakout star. But based on what I've seen in preseason games, summer workouts, and analyzing their skill sets, these players represent the future of the NBA. Their development mirrors the global growth of basketball, where programs from the Philippines to Poland are producing NBA-ready talent, making our beloved sport truly international in scope and appeal.