Rising NBA Players to Watch This Season for Fantasy Basketball Success
American Football Live
As I sit down to analyze this season's fantasy basketball prospects, I can't help but feel that electric anticipation that comes every year around this time. The landscape of rising NBA talent has never been more exciting, and having spent over a decade analyzing player trends and fantasy performance patterns, I'm noticing some particularly intriguing developments this season. What really caught my attention recently was news from the Philippines - specifically about Alas Pilipinas preparing for the 2025 Southeast Asian V.League with nearly their entire roster available. This international context matters more than most fantasy players realize, as the global basketball pipeline continues to produce NBA-ready talent at an unprecedented rate.
When we talk about rising players, we're essentially discussing athletes who are about to make that crucial leap from potential to production. Take Chet Holmgren, for instance. After missing his entire rookie season due to injury, he's coming into Oklahoma City with what I believe could be league-altering impact. At 7'1" with guard skills, he's exactly the kind of unicorn that can win fantasy leagues. I've tracked his recovery closely and watched his summer workouts - the mobility is still there, and he's added about 15 pounds of muscle according to my sources within the Thunder organization. In fantasy terms, I'm projecting him to average at least 2.3 blocks per game while providing elite percentages from both the field and three-point range. That combination is virtually unheard of for a rookie big man.
The international influence on the NBA has never been stronger, which brings me back to that Philippines connection. The development of players through tournaments like the SEA V.League creates a breeding ground for the next generation of NBA talent. We've seen this pattern before with players like Jordan Clarkson, and I'm convinced we'll see more Filipino-heritage players making waves in the NBA within the next 2-3 years. This global perspective is something I always emphasize in my fantasy analysis - the basketball world is interconnected in ways that most casual observers miss entirely.
Another player I'm incredibly bullish on is Paolo Banchero. Now, I know what you're thinking - he's already established after winning Rookie of the Year. But what most fantasy managers don't realize is that his statistical profile suggests he's about to make another significant jump. I've crunched the numbers from his final 25 games last season, and he was already averaging 22.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on much improved efficiency. With Orlando likely giving him more playmaking responsibilities, I wouldn't be surprised to see him flirt with 25-8-5 averages this season. That puts him in All-NBA conversation, yet many fantasy drafters are still sleeping on his ceiling.
What fascinates me about this new wave of talent is how quickly the game is evolving. We're seeing big men who handle and shoot like guards, wings with unprecedented defensive versatility, and point guards who can legitimately play four positions. This evolution directly impacts fantasy value in ways that traditional analysis often misses. For example, I'm much higher on Jalen Williams than most analysts because his statistical profile shows elite efficiency across multiple categories - he shot 52% from the field, 36% from three, and 81% from the line as a rookie. That kind of across-the-board efficiency at his volume is extremely rare.
The development pipeline from international competitions to the NBA has never been more robust. When I see teams like Alas Pilipinas preparing for major tournaments with nearly full rosters, it signals how seriously these development opportunities are taken globally. This matters for fantasy because it means we're getting more polished, NBA-ready international players than ever before. Just look at what we've seen with recent international additions like Josh Giddey and Bennedict Mathurin - players who stepped into significant roles immediately because they'd already competed at high levels internationally.
One of my personal favorites this season is Keegan Murray in Sacramento. I know, I know - another sophomore player. But hear me out. His combination of three-point shooting (41% on high volume) and defensive versatility is exactly what wins fantasy leagues in the modern NBA. What really excites me is his projected minutes increase - from 29.8 last season to what I believe will be around 34-35 this year. That extra playing time could push his scoring from 12.2 to somewhere in the 17-19 range while maintaining elite percentages and adding defensive stats. That's the kind of value jump that championship fantasy teams are built on.
As we approach draft season, I'm adjusting my boards constantly based on preseason developments and international competitions. The connection between events like the SEA V.League and NBA readiness has become undeniable. We're living in a golden age of basketball talent development, and the fantasy implications are profound. The rising stars I've highlighted represent just a fraction of the players poised for breakout seasons, but they embody the qualities I look for - proven production, clear development paths, and roles that project toward statistical growth. Trust me when I say that paying attention to these players now could give you the edge needed to dominate your fantasy league this season.
