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 a long time, the NBPA has been concerned in guiding lots of your favourite gamers lengthy earlier than they reached the NBA. Via intensive 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 rules obligatory for gamers to maximise their potential: character, training and talent 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 lessons centering on matters comparable to stress administration, recruiting pressures and extra.
Since ’94, tons of of NBA gamers have come by means of the Prime 100 Camp. This yr’s occasion is about to happen on the ESPN Vast World of Sports activities Complicated on the Walt Disney World Resort close to Orlando, FL, from June 8-13.
However first, to have fun 30 unbelievable years, we’re trying 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 record, Zach LaVine may need the craziest hops. At 6-5, 200 kilos, he someway makes zipping previous defenders, hovering by means of the air and punching a nasty jam over a seven-footer look easy. His jaw-dropping highlights and unbelievable 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 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, repeatedly 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 on account 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 exhausting 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’ll be able to’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—with a view to win, you gotta have Bam on the market on the ground.” That each one nonetheless applies as we speak.
27. De’Aaron Fox
Don’t blink—you may 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 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 massive males within the historical past of the NBA with the flexibility and talent 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 most effective Timberwolves staff in twenty years all the best way 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 talent. To place it plainly: the explosive guard—at the moment on the NBPA Govt Committee—is unattainable to cease. And at 27 years outdated, he’s simply coming into his prime.
23. Al Horford
For the previous 16 years, Huge Al has been a massive presence within the NBA. The dependable middle continues to be taking part in a pivotal position for a traditionally good Boston Celtics staff that simply tore its approach by means of 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 finished but.
22. Kyle Lowry
When he entered the League in 2006, Kyle Lowry didn’t take off instantly. 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, grew to become a everlasting starter. Lowry hasn’t regarded again since, guiding groups in Houston, Toronto, Miami and Philly together 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 all the time 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 Yr and two-time NBA All-Star all the time placed on a present. After starring at UCLA, Davis was the third total 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 among the most entertaining ball to look at.