As a 19-year-old, Houston Rockets shooting guard Jalen Green was being compared to Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal-two former All-Star guards, one of which who led the league in scoring twice and even made All-NBA. Before he ever stepped foot on an NBA court.
As a rookie, Green lived up to the hype, becoming one of only five teenagers in NBA history to average 13 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds. The others are below:
- LeBron James
- Kyrie Irving
- D'Angelo Russell
- Luka Doncic
- LaMelo Ball
Green really showed out in year two, taking his game to another level and proving he's easily one of the best young talents in the Association.
Talk about elite company.
Green constantly found himself on lists among the best of the best in 2022-23.
Green tied for the sixth-most 30-point games in NBA history among players 20-years old and under. In case you think I'm biased, take a look at the full list below:
- LeBron James (57 games)
- Luka Doncic (29 games)
- Kevin Durant (28 games)
- Zion Williamson (24 games)
- Devin Booker (21 games)
- Green (17 games)
- Carmelo Anthony (17 games)
Green also made his way on to the list of the most 40-burgers among players 20-years-old and under. Again, see for yourself.
- LeBron James (8 games)
- Anthony Edwards (5 games)
- Green (4 games)
- Luka Doncic (4 games)
- Kevin Durant (4 games)
- John Drew (3 games)
Not only is Green one of the best young players in the league today, but he also ranks statistically as one of the games best young prospects ever. Oh, and as for the pre-draft comparisons to Beal and LaVine, he's already surpassed them when they were his age. Just ask ESPN's Zach Lowe.
"If you look around the league now, a number of people have sent me these comps: age-wise and trajectory-wise, he lines up a little ahead of Bradley Beal and Zach Lavine at that age."
Look, I could keep going but I don't need to. It's obvious.
Does anyone notice Jalen Green's talent besides me?
Or so I thought.
On Friday, eight of my colleagues in FanSided's NBA division composed a draft of the best players under 23-years-of-age and Green went undrafted.
That's not a typo. (I wish it was).
When asked about why Green couldn't make anyone's cut, I was given the following explanation:
"We took fit into account, and my biggest takeaway was that there are a lot of talented guards in the league! But that meant the handful of guards who didn't go early got pushed down the board - Jalen Green and Shaedon Sharpe were probably the two best players not to get picked."
Again, I could explain why Green should've been on someone's team but I don't need to. Just listen to LA Clippers forward Paul George.
"Another under 20-25 guy. You look at Jalen Green. How explosive, how athletic he is. His skillset. Like he can do it all. He can do it all."
As a society, it's time to stop overlooking Jalen Green's talent.