CBS Top 100 Player Rankings Highlight OKC Thunder's Young Core

Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all placed in CBS Sports’ top 100 player rankings following its release Tuesday afternoon.

Holmgren was listed No. 68 despite not having touched an NBA floor in his career. Williams was placed three spots ahead at No. 65 following his impressive rookie campaign. Giddey jumped to No. 61 after not making the site’s top 100 last season. Lastly, Gilgeous-Alexander leaped a massive 15 spots from last year to claim the No. 11 slot, one place ahead of LeBron James.

This list highlights each player considered from Oklahoma City’s youthful core. For Holmgren, he ranks ahead of NBA champion and prolific shooter Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets, while also ranking just behind four-time NBA Champion and five-time NBA All-Star Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors. Holmgren was not listed in CBS’ top 100 ahead of 2022-23.

These initial expectations are immense for the 21-year-old, 7-foot-1 center entering this season, as he’s yet to play in a regular season contest. But the ranking is based on his NBA Summer League performances, where his shot-blocking presence and 3-point capabilities were on display in Las Vegas.

As for Williams, he comes ahead of the Indiana Pacers’ defensive stalwart Myles Turner and trails Toronto Raptor Scottie Barnes after missing the top 100 last season. This placing is certainly just for the 6-foot-5 forward out of Santa Clara, as his rookie season saw him clinch 14.1 points per game on 52.1% shooting, while also providing a defensive impact which may not always be reflected in the box score.

Thirdly, Giddey was ranked in front of the Los Angeles Lakers’ Austin Reaves and behind the Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey. Giddey is primed for another leap this season as he enters his third year in the league, aiming to improve on his playmaking efficiency and omit turnover errors, as well as become a more adept perimeter defender. Like Holmgren and Williams, Giddey did not make the top 100 ranking last year.

And lastly, Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s coming off a 31.4 points per game average from last season, just barely missed the top 10 following his placing at No. 36 in 2022-23. At No. 11, the Canadian guard sits in front of the legendary James, and sits behind Portland Trailblazer Damian Lillard, who has been contesting his desire to be traded to the Miami Heat throughout the summer.

Gilgeous-Alexander has yet another premier opportunity to make strides in his game this upcoming season. With the introduction of offensive firepower in the offseason, as well as Holmgren’s presence, the scoring load can be lessened if he chooses so. With this in mind, Gilgeous-Alexander could further improve on his long-distance shooting and overall on-ball defense in 2023-24.

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