Every NBA season brings a handful of breakout stars, players who suddenly go from promising prospects to full-blown headline-makers. Sometimes it’s about minutes. Sometimes it’s about opportunity. Sometimes it’s just about timing. While we see young players bet on themselves all the time (Jonathan Juminga), it doesn’t always work out in their favor.
Still, the NBA is in good hands for the future, and there are many young players who are poised to make the leap. Whether they’re on the verge of stardom or fighting to prove they belong, these five NBA youngsters each have the talent and the stage to steal the spotlight this year, and the whole league will be watching.
Jalen Green: Phoenix Suns
After an up-and-down stretch in Houston, Jalen Green (23 years old) is getting a fresh start in Phoenix, and this change of scenery might be exactly what he needed. The Suns are transitioning out of the “superteam” phase and into a more balanced, defensive-minded roster, and Green’s scoring upside could make him a perfect swing piece. With averages of 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game last season, he was already on the verge of stardom, and the conditions are right for him to elevate his game even further.
With Devin Booker commanding defensive attention and Dillon Brooks handling tougher assignments on the wing, the 23-year-old guard will have more freedom to operate as a secondary scorer and shot creator. If he locks in on both ends and plays within the system, he could thrive in Phoenix’s new identity and finally tap into the star potential he’s flashed for years.
Scoot Henderson: Portland Trail Blazers
Scoot Henderson’s rookie season didn’t go as planned, but that’s what makes this year so dangerous. He’s healthy, hungry, and no longer weighed down by early expectations. With Anfernee Simons gone, Damian Lillard back in a mentorship role, and a full season to run the offense, Scoot has the keys and the confidence to take a leap.
Known for his athleticism and work ethic, Henderson is built to break out. If his shot improves and his reads sharpen, Portland’s rebuild could start moving a lot faster, and Scoot could look like the franchise cornerstone everyone expected. The 6’3″ point guard (21) averaged 12.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game on 41.9% shooting last season, but look for those numbers to increase as he settles into the spotlight.
Amen Thompson: Houston Rockets
Don’t let the Rockets‘ star power fool you: Amen Thompson might be the X-factor. He’s already shown elite vision and defensive instincts, and with another offseason under his belt, the game is starting to slow down for him. In 32.2 minutes per game last season, he put up a decent stat line with 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game on 55.7% shooting.
In a best-case scenario, the 22-year-old swingman becomes the connective tissue between Houston’s stars, helping them push the pace, lock up on defense, and do all the little things that don’t show up on highlight reels. He may not average 25 points, but he might be the guy who helps win the games that matter. Plus, alongside Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, he’ll have the support he needs to take the leap that’ll make the Rockets favorites in the West.
Zaccharie Risacher: Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have been stuck in purgatory for a while now, and they signed Kristaps Porzingis this summer to help take them to another level. Of course, the true key to their success (besides Trae Young) will be the development of 20-year-old Zaccharie Risacher. He won’t have the spotlight handed to him, but on a retooling Hawks team that wants to win now, the No. 1 overall pick has a real opportunity to prove why he went first.
He’s long, athletic, and can stretch the floor. If his confidence holds and the coaching staff gives him freedom to grow, Risacher could be one of the surprise stories of the season, not just in Atlanta, but league-wide. While he played a relatively minor role last season, it was still enough to put up 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game on 45.8% shooting. If the 2025-26 campaign ends up being his breakout year, it could turn the Hawks into an instant contender.
Bennedict Mathurin: Indiana Pacers
With Tyrese Haliburton expected to miss significant time this season, the door is wide open for Bennedict Mathurin to step into a bigger role and possibly emerge as Indiana’s go-to scoring option. The third-year guard has shown flashes of elite shot creation, and now he’ll have the usage and opportunity to prove he can carry that responsibility full-time after averaging 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game last season.
This is a make-or-break year for Mathurin’s trajectory. Without Haliburton orchestrating the offense, the Pacers will need him to grow as both a scorer and a decision-maker. If he can improve his efficiency, sharpen his defensive awareness, and lead Indiana through this stretch, it could mark the start of his leap from promising talent to legitimate cornerstone at just 23 years old. In the process, it could keep the Pacers at least somewhat relevant in the weakened Eastern Conference.
Who Will Take The Leap?
Every year, a handful of young players make “the leap,” turning potential into production and flashes into full-blown consistency. These five might not all be household names yet, but the opportunity is there, and the stage is set.
Whether it’s filling the void left by an injured star, adapting to a new system, or simply taking on more responsibility, each of them is entering the 2025–26 season with something to prove. If they rise to the moment, they won’t just steal the spotlight; they’ll change the narrative around their careers for good.
