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The NBA has produced exciting talents over the years, skilled in the most beautiful parts of the game, especially high-level scorers.
While Kareem Abdul Jabbar holds the record for most points scored by a player in NBA history, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, James Harden and last season's scoring champion, Steph Curry, are some of the most notable offensive talents to have dominated the scoring charts in recent years.
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However, as the likes of LBJ and co. approach the end of their fairytale careers, a new set of young talents have started to emerge, ready to take their places and create their own history.
Here, we take a look at the top 5 players aged 25 and under capable of challenging for the NBA scoring title this season.
#5 Trae Young
At 23, Trae Young is primed to reach the full length of his offensive potential and put in a consistent challenge for the scoring title in the 2021-22 season. The Atlanta Hawks talisman averaged 25.3 points per game last season and, buoyed by his first playoff appearance, should see an increase in productivity this season.
His efficiency from free throws and ability to generate fouls stood out last season and should continue to generate much-needed points for the Hawks player in this season’s race for the scoring title.
The point guard averaged a career record of 29.6 points in 2019-20, and if he can play at that same pace in the new season that sees a return to the normal NBA calendar with more breaks allowed, he should surely be at the top of the scoring chart come season’s end.
#4 Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell has proven his worth since being signed by the Utah Jazz for the 2017-18 season. Since his NBA debut, the shooting guard has been able to improve on his shooting metrics, posting upward numbers in his first four seasons in the league.
Mitchell scored 26.4 points per game last season, breaking his career-best record in the 2019-20 season. He posted better numbers for his shots from beyond the arc, sinking in 178 of his 461 three-pointers and recording a field goal accuracy of 43.8%. We are still to see Mitchell’s best season yet.
#3 Jayson Tatum
The Boston Celtics small forward has been one of the NBA’s most consistent players in the league for a couple of years now, posting massive improvements in his offensive output. Jayson Tatum posted the highest points of his career, scoring 1,692 points. His 26.4 points per game also ranks among the highest in the league, placing him 10th on the scoring chart last season, whilst rallying his team to the NBA playoffs.
His improving abilities around the rim should also help increase his odds of winning this season’s scoring title. The Celtics's lead scorer posted a career-best 68 percent hit rate at the rim, averaging 7.4 rebounds per game in the 2020-21 NBA season, and continues to be on form in the opening matches of the new season, already posting 26.7 points in his first six appearances. He is definitely one to look out for.
#2 Zion Williamson
If the New Orleans Pelicans are to meet their lofty expectations for the new season, they will need a fit and firing Zion Williamson. The power forward suffered an injury scare in the offseason, which saw him undergo treatment for a foot injury. Although his physical issues raised concerns about his performances going into the season, Williamson remains in a strong position to win the first scoring title of his career, and if he is to achieve this feat, his towering physicality should play a major role.
The 21-year-old averaged 27.0 points in 61 games in the 2020-21 season, bulldozing his way to the rim on many occasions, and it is hard not to see him getting better at charging at the rim this season.
His ridiculous 61.1 field goal percentage was one of the highest in the league as the Pelicans talisman finally announced himself on the biggest of stages in his second season in the NBA. Williamson should be back to challenging for a maiden scoring title this season.
#1 Luka Doncic
The point guard posted 1,830 points for the Dallas Mavericks, the fifth-highest in 2020-21 NBA season, and went on to produce one of the best playoff performances in the franchise’s history. Although the Mavs were unable to capitalize on the guard’s form, both team and player should be back challenging for major honors by the end of the season.
Despite playing the part of creator and scorer for the Mavericks for most of the 2020-21 NBA season, Luka Doncic averaged 27.7 points per game to finish sixth on the scoring chart, as his tremendous talent and technicality allowed him to thrive in the league.
El-Matador is easily one of the best rebounders in the competition and finished in the top-five despite not having the best three-point record. If Doncic manages to improve on his shots from beyond the arc, and the Mavericks can find a playmaking balance, he should have an easy time finishing at the top of the scoring chart this season.
