In 1994, the identical yr that SLAM was based, one other staple within the basketball world made its huge debut: the Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation’s Prime 100 Camp. For 3 a long time, the NBPA has been concerned in guiding a lot of your favourite gamers lengthy earlier than they reached the NBA. By way of intensive programming, the Prime 100 Camp prepares elite highschool hoopers for regardless of the future could maintain, each on and off the courtroom. The camp emphasizes three core ideas needed for gamers to maximise their potential: character, schooling and ability improvement.
Campers obtain mentorship from present and former NBA gamers and observe a sophisticated coaching routine designed to organize them for the subsequent stage. As well as, each camper participates in group discussions and courses centering on subjects reminiscent of stress administration, recruiting pressures and extra.
Since ’94, tons of of NBA gamers have come via the Prime 100 Camp. This yr’s occasion is about to happen on the ESPN Huge World of Sports activities Advanced 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 trying 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 record, Zach LaVine might need the craziest hops. At 6-5, 200 kilos, he in some way 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 record, 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, often 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 instructed. Actually, on the Prime 100 Camp in 2016, he was named MVP. Sadly, the Zion expertise has been restricted within the NBA on account of accidents, however when the New Orleans Pelicans star has been wholesome, he’s been an unstoppable pressure 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 go it, he can go 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 are going to proceed to do. [Head coach Erik Spoelstra] is aware of—so as to win, you gotta have Bam on the market on the ground.” That each one nonetheless applies at present.
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 certainly, 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 huge 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 huge 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 ft 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 the very best Timberwolves workforce 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 school 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 ability. To place it plainly: the explosive guard—at the moment on the NBPA Government Committee—is unimaginable to cease. And at 27 years outdated, he’s simply coming into his prime.
23. Al Horford
For the previous 16 years, Large Al has been a huge presence within the NBA. The dependable middle continues to be taking part in a pivotal function for a traditionally good Boston Celtics workforce that simply tore its means via the Jap Convention. Horford was a star at Grand Ledge Excessive Faculty in Michigan, gained 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 finished but.
22. Kyle Lowry
When he entered the League in 2006, Kyle Lowry didn’t take off immediately. Actually, 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 appeared again since, guiding groups in Houston, Toronto, Miami and Philly along with his hard-nosed, aggressive, energetic model of play—a method that has made him a fan favourite and earned him six All-Star alternatives. Within the North, the place he gained a championship in 2019, Lowry will at all times be often called 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 12 months and two-time NBA All-Star at all times placed on a present. After starring at UCLA, Davis was the third total decide within the 1999 Draft and helped lead a formidable Hornets workforce 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 few of the most entertaining ball to observe.
