NBA Rising Stars 2022: Which Young Players Are Dominating the Court This Season?

Walking into the Crypto.com Arena this season, I can’t help but feel the palpable shift in energy. It’s not just about LeBron or Steph anymore—though they’re still phenomenal. The air crackles with something new, something raw. Young players are taking over, and honestly, it’s the most exciting storyline of the 2022 NBA season. As someone who’s covered basketball for over a decade, I’ve seen talent come and go, but this wave? It feels different. These kids aren’t just waiting their turn—they’re crashing the party.

I was reminded of that global hunger recently when I caught wind of Kai Sotto’s visit stateside. He’d just wrapped up his campaign in Japan’s B.League, and he was in town with his Koshigaya Alphas coach, Ryuzo Anzai. They were there to watch the PBA doubleheader, scouting, learning, absorbing the game from a different angle. It struck me then how the basketball world has truly flattened. A 7'3" phenom from the Philippines, developing his game in Japan, comes to the U.S. not as a player this time, but as a student of the sport. It underscores a vital point: the rise of young talent is a global phenomenon, and the NBA is its epicenter. These rising stars aren’t just competing; they’re redefining what’s possible on the court.

Take Anthony Edwards, for instance. My goodness, this kid is a force of nature. He’s averaging around 24.7 points per game, but it’s not just the numbers—it’s the sheer audacity. The way he attacks the rim, you’d think he’s been in the league for ten years. I remember watching him drop 40 against the Suns and thinking, "This is it. This is the future." He plays with a joy and a ferocity that’s contagious, and he’s lifted the Timberwolves from perpetual hopefuls to genuine threats in the West. It’s not just his scoring, either; his defensive intensity has jumped to another level. He’s reading passing lanes, averaging close to 1.7 steals a game, and using his athleticism in ways we only glimpsed in his rookie year.

Then there’s LaMelo Ball. I’ll admit, I was a skeptic early on. The flashy passes, the highlight-reel antics—I wondered if it was sustainable. But he has silenced every critic, myself included. He’s putting up something like 22 points, 8.5 assists, and 7 rebounds a night, and he’s the engine of a fun, electric Charlotte Hornets team. What impresses me most is his maturity. He’s only 20, but he plays with the poise of a veteran, controlling the tempo and making everyone around him better. His court vision is otherworldly; he sees plays develop two passes before anyone else. And his three-point shooting has improved dramatically—he’s hitting them at a clip of about 38.5% this season, forcing defenders to respect his shot and opening up the floor for his teammates.

But it’s not just the lottery picks making noise. Look at Desmond Bane in Memphis. He’s exploded onto the scene, averaging over 21 points and shooting a blistering 43% from beyond the arc. He’s the perfect complement to Ja Morant’s chaotic brilliance, providing steady, reliable scoring and tough defense. I love his story—a guy drafted late in the first round who just put in the work and transformed himself into a cornerstone for a contender. It’s a reminder that development isn’t always linear, and sometimes the biggest leaps come from the most unexpected places.

Watching these young stars, I’m struck by their confidence. They aren’t intimidated. They step onto the court against legends and play their game. It’s a testament to the prep work, the AAU circuits, the global pipelines that are producing more complete players at a younger age. Seeing Kai Sotto, a potential future NBA talent, sitting in the stands studying the game, just reinforces that this is a new era. The pathways are more diverse, and the players are arriving ready to contribute, not just to learn.

Of course, dominance isn’t just about offense. Evan Mobley in Cleveland is a defensive savant. His rim protection is already elite; he’s averaging nearly 1.8 blocks per game, and his ability to switch onto guards is a nightmare for opponents. He’s the anchor of a Cavaliers defense that has been one of the biggest surprises of the season. At just 21, he plays with a defensive IQ that you can’t teach. It’s beautiful to watch.

As the season pushes toward the playoffs, the impact of these young players will only magnify. They’re not just the future; they are the present. The league is in great hands, and as a fan and an analyst, I’m here for it. The energy they bring, the highlight plays, the fearless approach—it’s revitalizing the sport. So keep your eyes on these names. They’re not just rising; they’re already here, and they’re dominating the court in ways we haven’t seen in a generation.