In today’s NBA, speed has become an invaluable weapon. With teams pushing the pace and spacing the floor like never before, having players with elite speed can be the difference between a playoff run and an early vacation.
The 2024-25 season has seen a crop of players redefine what it means to be fast when it comes to moving without the ball or running on the fast break. Ja Morant is still breaking sound barriers in transition, De’Aaron Fox remains a one-man fast break, and youngsters like Amen Thompson are simply a blur. Let’s see which players crack the top 10.
1. De’Aaron Fox
When it comes to pure speed, De’Aaron Fox is the NBA’s equivalent of a Ferrari on hardwood. His ability to go zero to sixty in a blink makes him a one-man fast break, and his end-to-end speed is only half the story.
Fox’s lateral quickness and ability to change directions at full throttle make him nearly impossible to contain in isolation. Averaging 23.9 points per game this season, Fox’s burst to the rim is the foundation of his offensive game. Simply put, if speed kills, Fox is utterly dangerous.
2. Ja Morant
Ja Morant’s speed isn’t just about getting from point A to point B quickly—it’s about doing it with a purpose. The Grizzlies‘ franchise guard combines his lightning-fast first step with an almost reckless abandon for gravity, and that’s why he is must-see tv.
Sure, his straight-line speed is absurd, but it’s his ability to decelerate and shift gears that leaves defenders grasping at air. It is amazing how Morant isn’t in the MVP conversation every year and that might be simply down to him because he is simply unguardable.
3. Amen Thompson
Amen Thompson’s speed is already turning heads around the league, making him one of the most exciting young players to watch. At 6’7″, Thompson’s combination of size and speed is a cheat code—he covers ground like a wing but moves like a guard.
His open-court speed is lethal, and his ability to change directions without losing momentum is rare for a player his size. The Rockets have quickly realized that the fastest way to get a bucket is to get the ball in Thompson’s hands and let him fly. Watch out, because Amen is coming to prove he might be the most athletic player in the NBA.
4. Donovan Mitchell
When you think of Donovan Mitchell, you think of scoring. But Mitchell’s speed is a different breed—it’s explosive. His first step is a nightmare for any defender, and once he gets a sliver of daylight, he’s at the rim in an instant.
This season, Mitchell has been torching defenses with a blend of speed and power, averaging 24.3 points per game while slashing through lanes like a running back. His combination of speed and strength is a rare package, making him one of the toughest covers in the league.
5. Isaiah Collier
Isaiah Collier might not be a household name yet, but the way he moves on the court suggests it’s only a matter of time. The rookie guard’s speed is a blur in transition, and his ability to accelerate off the dribble makes him a nightmare for backpedaling defenders.
Collier’s first step is among the quickest in the league, and his willingness to attack the rim with ferocity has given the Jazz a new dimension offensively. Hopefully, the young guard can start using his abilities to generate wins for a struggling team.
6. Jalen Green
Jalen Green glides when he runs and it’s a thing of beauty. The Rockets‘ shooting guard has a smoothness to his speed that makes it look effortless, but make no mistake: Green is one of the fastest players in the league.
His acceleration off the catch and in transition makes him a constant threat to opposing defenses, and his ability to go from a standstill to full speed in a flash is jaw-dropping. There is no doubt Green is an untouchable piece in the Rockets’ future because of his raw speed and athleticism.
7. Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards’ speed is all power and menace. We know he is explosive but his raw speed when he has the ball is beyond impressive. This season, Edwards has used that speed to evolve into one of the league’s most unguardable scorers.
Edwards doesn’t need much of a runway to take off, and his ability to accelerate through traffic makes him nearly impossible to contain when he gets downhill. Isn’t it a shame that Edwards doesn’t want to be the face of the NBA?
8. Ausar Thompson
If there’s one youngster who can match Amen Thompson’s speed, it’s his twin brother, Ausar. The Pistons have quickly realized they’ve got a game-changer on their hands, as Ausar’s speed in transition is already creating mismatches nightly.
His combination of speed and defensive instincts allows him to turn steals into fast breaks in a heartbeat, and his open-court speed is a weapon Detroit is leaning on more and more. Someone needs to study the twins’ genetics at this point.
9. Scoot Henderson
Scoot Henderson’s speed is nothing short of terrifying. The Trail Blazers’ young guard combines an elite first step with a relentless attacking mindset, making him one of the most dangerous players in the league with the ball in his hands.
This season, Henderson’s speed has been on full display, blowing by defenders and collapsing defenses at will. His ability to decelerate and change direction at top speed has the front office salivating about what is to come.
10. Tyrese Maxey
Tyrese Maxey doesn’t get enough credit for his speed, but it’s the engine behind his excellent individual season with the 76ers. His quickness in half-court sets is just as impressive—he’s blowing past defenders with ease and getting into the paint at will.
Maxey’s speed isn’t just about highlights, though—it’s a fundamental part of the Sixers’ game plan, forcing opponents to constantly scramble and adjust. Even when the point guard has been let down by the lack of availability of Joel Embiid and Paul George, he hasn’t been afraid to show his speed to get buckets.
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