Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Golden State Warriors’ budding star among 3 blatant snubs on ESPN 25 under 25

By Josh Cornelissen

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors dribbling the ball looks to drive towards the basket against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center on October 27, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors dribbling the ball looks to drive towards the basket against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center on October 27, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors
Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers. Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images /

No. 2: Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers

Cam Thomas was a late pick who is blossoming to start the season; Shaedon Sharpe was the No. 7 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and has done nothing but show off his impressive scoring ability and athleticism. Leaving Sharpe off the list was the single largest mistake made by the ESPN committee.

Despite losing his running mates to injury in the early going, Sharpe has been tremendous for the Trail Blazers. He is leading the league in minutes per game and is shouldering a massive offensive load as a 20-year-old. He is averaging 19.9 points per game, 5.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists while also being an impact defender. His game-saving block of Luke Kennard’s triple in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies was one of the highlights of the year:

Sharpe slipped a few spots in the draft last year because he was an unknown, a player with theoretical upside but without the tape to put general managers at ease. Portland took the swing and was rewarded with a player on track to make multiple All-Star teams during his career.

The idea that Jalen Green or Tyler Herro made the list over Sharpe is mind-boggling; Green is inexcusable, and Herro only makes sense if you’re looking at the right now instead of the future, as Sharpe should continue to develop and has already proven himself on defense, something that can’t be said for Herro or Green.

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