Oklahoma Basketball Stars Ranked Among ESPN’s Top 100 NBA Players

With the 2024-2025 NBA season beginning later this month, ESPN took on the annual challenge of ranking the league’s top 100 players at the start of the year.

While the Oklahoma Sooners don’t have a ton of players in the league right now (there are four total on the active roster at this point), OU has seen two players appear on ESPN’s list.

Somewhat surprisingly, Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves made it into the rankings, landing at number 71 on the list. The former undrafted free agent is entering his fourth season with the Lakers. Last year it was at the top of this list at number 66.

After a busy summer playing for Team USA in the FIBA ​​World Cup, Reaves took some time to find his rhythm last season after bursting onto the scene in the 2023 playoffs. His slight decline in NBA ranking reflects his shooting efficiency from Year 2 (52.9% from the field and 39.8% from 3) to Year 3 (48.6%/36.7%) and LA’s shortened postseason run , after being pushed out in the first round, but it doesn’t recognize Reaves’ progression as a playmaker and doesn’t credit him for playing in all 82 games. After this season he should be on the rise again. – Dave McMenamin, ESPN

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young dropped 10 spots from his No. 27 spot last season to land at No. 37 on this list. He was a Hawk throughout his professional career and became the team’s franchise player. He is entering the seventh year of his NBA career.

The fact that Young only appeared in 54 games last season was concerning, but Atlanta winning just 22 of those games was even more concerning. His averages of 25.7 points and 10.8 assists shine on the stat sheet – it was the second straight season he averaged 25 and 10 – but his relatively modest shooting numbers (43% overall and 37.3 % of 3) dulls this shine a little. With Dejounte Murray now in New Orleans, Young should get his hands on the ball more often. How good Young’s vibe will be with No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher will impact his future ranking. – McMenamin, ESPN

Both Reaves and Young played for the great Lon Kruger during his stellar tenure in Norman. Young was one of the best players in college basketball during his only season at this level, while Reaves helped the Sooners to their final NCAA Tournament appearance and victory in 2021.