For YSL News Sports’ evaluations of NBA players ranked Nos. 16-30, click here.

Welcome, Victor Wembanyama, to YSL News Sports’ compilation of the top 30 NBA players. It’s unfortunate to see Trae Young slip off the list.

Hello to Tyrese Maxey and Zion Williamson. Farewell to James Harden and DeMar DeRozan.

This year’s player rankings show some shifts, yet certain aspects remain unchanged, notably the significant presence of international players at the top.

The top five players in YSL News Sports’ list were all born outside the United States. Last season’s top three comprised only international players, and even the prior year saw four of the top six players hail from abroad.

This trend appears to be growing. Wembanyama has rapidly climbed the ranks, and three of the top six picks in the 2024 draft, including the first two, were born in France. The rise of international players in the NBA is ongoing.

Our listing of the top 30 players continues Wednesday with Nos. 15-1. For Nos. 30-16, you can check here. Votes were cast by reporters from YSL News Sports and YSL News Network:

15. Boston Celtics guard-forward Jaylen Brown

2023-24 stats: 23.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.2 spg, 49.9% FG, 35.4% 3PT, 70.3% FT (70 games)

Why he’s ranked here: Jaylen Brown made his third All-Star team and just missed out on a second All-NBA selection last season. He recorded a career-high shooting percentage and excelled in the playoffs, earning both the Eastern Conference finals MVP and the Finals MVP awards, helping the Celtics secure their first championship since 2008.

Last season’s ranking: No. 16

14. Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard

2023-24 stats: 23.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.6 spg, 52.5% FG, 41.7% 3PT, 88.5% FT (68 games)

Why he’s ranked here: Kawhi Leonard made the All-NBA team and was named an All-Star, playing 68 games – his highest since the 2016-17 season. He achieved impressive offensive stats with career-best shooting percentages, and while he may not defend as well as he once did (a two-time Defensive Player of the Year), he remains one of the top defenders in the league.

Last season’s ranking: No. 14

13. Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker

2023-24 stats: 27.1 ppg, 6.9 apg, 4.5 rpg, 49.2% FG, 36.4% 3PT, 88.6% FT (68 games)

Why he’s ranked here: Devin Booker had one of his strongest all-around seasons and returned to both All-Star and All-NBA status after missing out the previous season. He achieved a career-high of 6.9 assists and recorded his second-best true shooting percentage of his career.

Last season’s ranking: No. 9

12. New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson

2023-24 stats: 28.7 ppg, 6.7 apg, 3.6 rpg, 47.9% FG, 40.1% 3PT, 84.7% FT (77 games)

Why he’s ranked here: Over the last four seasons, Jalen Brunson has progressed from being a sixth man with Dallas, to the Mavericks’ starter, and now as an MVP contender in New York. He earned his first selections to both All-Star and All-NBA teams in the 2023-24 season.

Last season’s ranking: No. 25

11. Los Angeles Lakers forward-center Anthony Davis

2023-24 stats: 24.7 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 2.3 bpg, 1.2 spg, 55.6% FG, 27.1% 3PT, 81.6% FT (76 games)

Why he’s ranked here: As one of the NBA’s exceptional two-way players and a versatile big man, Anthony Davis played in a career-high 76 games, returning to All-NBA, All-Defense, and All-Star status for the first time since the 2019-20 season. He recorded his best shooting percentage in his career and achieved a career-high of 12.6 rebounds last season.

Last season’s ranking: No. 13

10. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards

2023-24 stats: 25.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.3 spg, 46.1% FG, 35.7% 3PT, 83.6% FT (79 games)

Why he’s ranked here: Anthony Edwards finished seventh in MVP voting, making his second consecutive All-Star appearance and earning his first All-NBA selection after achieving career bests in points, assists, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage. He is regarded as the Timberwolves’ franchise player and one of the bright young stars in the league.

Last season’s ranking: No. 20

9. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant

2023-24 stats: 27.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.2 bpg, 52.3% FG, 41.3% 3PT, 85.6% FT (75 games)

Why he’s ranked here: After falling short of All-NBA in the 2022-23 season due to playing only 47 games, Kevin Durant made his return to the All-NBA team in 2023-24. He is celebrated as one of the greatest scorers in basketball history and proved it once more by finishing fifth in scoring at 35 years old. If he stays healthy this coming season, he is on track to become only the eighth player in history to reach 30,000 career points.

Last season’s ranking: No. 8

8. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James

2023-24 stats: 25.7 ppg, 8.3 apg, 7.3 rpg, 1.3 spg, 54% FG, 41% 3PT, 75% FT (71 games)

Why he’s ranked here: At 39 years old, LeBron James continues to display elite performance, defying expectations for what is possible for an NBA player.

In his current age, he has had one of the top shooting seasons in his career and is now an All-NBA selection for the 20th time, further extending his record in the league.

Previous season’s ranking: No. 7

7. Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry

2023-24 stats: 26.4 ppg, 5.1 apg, 4.5 rpg, 45% FG, 40.8% 3PT, 92.2% FT (74 games)

Reason for this ranking: Steph Curry is a legendary player, known for revolutionizing the game with his exceptional 3-point shooting skills. He averaged 4.8 three-pointers per game and achieved over 40% from beyond the arc for the 13th time, securing his 10th All-NBA and All-Star selection. Additionally, he was recognized as the Clutch Player of the Year, with standout performances during the semifinals and the gold-medal game at the Paris Olympics completing an impressive year.

Previous season’s ranking: No. 5

6. Boston Celtics forward-guard Jayson Tatum

2023-24 stats: 26.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.0 spg, 47.1% FG, 37.6% 3PT, 83.3% FT (74 games)

Reason for this ranking: Jayson Tatum has been named to the All-NBA team in four of the last five seasons, with three of those being first-team selections. At just 26 years old, he is showing great potential for further development. His offensive effectiveness is top-notch, and he displays a strong understanding of the game, contributing significantly on both ends of the court.

Previous season’s ranking: No. 4

5. Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid

2023-24 stats: 34.7 ppg, 11 rpg, 5.6 apg, 1.7 bpg, 1.2 spg, 52.9% FG, 38.8% 3PT, 88.3% FT (39 games)

Reason for this ranking: Despite an injury that cut his 2023-24 season short, Joel Embiid was a strong contender for his second MVP award before the setback. When fully fit, he is recognized as one of the most dominant two-way big men in the game.

Previous season’s ranking: No. 3

4. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

2023-24 stats: 30.1 ppg, 6.2 apg, 5.5 rpg, 2.0 spg, 53.5% FG, 35.3% 3PT, 87.4% FT (75 games)

Reason for this ranking: After a breakout 2022-23 season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an MVP-worthy performance in the 2023-24 season. He ranked second in MVP voting, third in Clutch Player of the Year voting, and was named first-team All-NBA and an All-Star for the second year in a row. He consistently averaged over 30 points and achieved a career-high shooting percentage of 53.5% from the field.

Previous season’s ranking: No. 10

3. Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic

2023-24 stats: 33.9 ppg, 9.8 apg, 9.2 rpg, 1.4 spg, 48.7% FG, 38.2% 3PT, 78.6% FT (70 games)

Reason for this ranking: Luka Doncic led the Mavericks to the Western Conference title, achieving career highs in scoring, assists, and average 3-pointers per game. He also attained a personal best in 3-point shooting percentage. The All-NBA star is on the verge of securing his first MVP award.

Previous season’s ranking: No. 6

2. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo

2023-24 stats: 30.4 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 6.5 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.1 bpg, 61.1% FG, 27.4% 3PT, 65.7% FT (73 games)

Reason for this ranking: Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has won two MVP awards, showcased another top-level performance this season, earning All-NBA honors for the eighth straight time. He surpassed 60% shooting from the field for the first time in his career while also achieving a peak in assists.

Previous season’s ranking: No. 2

1. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic

2023-24 stats: 26.4 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 9.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 58.3% FG, 35.9% 3PT, 81.6% FT (79 games)

Reason for this ranking: Nikola Jokic has earned his third MVP award in four years, placing him among an elite group of players with three or more MVPs. His exceptional offensive talent and basketball intelligence rank him among the best players in history. He has been selected as an All-Star and All-NBA for the sixth consecutive year.

Previous season’s ranking: No. 1