The Detroit Pistons had not one, not two, but three players land on ESPN’s list of the top 25 NBA players under 25 years old.
First, there’s star guard Cade Cunningham, who has blossomed into one of the absolute best guards in the entire NBA. Cunningham was selected to his first All-Star and All-NBA teams last season, and he’s built on that momentum so far this season. As a result, he ranked No. 3 on ESPN’s list, behind only Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards.
From ESPN:
“For a second straight season, Cunningham is on an All-NBA pace. He ranks first in fourth-quarter points and second behind last year's MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, in total clutch points. Cunningham has at least 20 points and 10 assists in 11 games this season.”
Cunningham is the best player on the Pistons, but he has help, including from Jalen Duren, who is in the midst of a breakout season in Detroit. He’s averaging career-highs across the board – 18.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 blocks per performance.
Duren is poised to potentially make his first All-Star appearance this season, and he’s also in the Most Improved Player conversation. As a result, he was ranked as the 14th-best player under 25 by ESPN.
Lastly, guard Ausar Thompson placed No. 24 on he list and was lauded by ESPN for his defensive prowess.
“Thompson is the quarterback of a Pistons defense that ranks fourth in both efficiency and in total points off turnovers,” Bobby Marks wrote of Thompson. “Since the start of the 2024-25 season, Thompson has held opponents to 40% as the contesting defender. That ranks fourth best among 291 players to contest at least 400 shots, per GeniusIQ tracking.”
With three of the top young players in the league on the roster, the future is bright in Detroit.