NEW DELHI: The NBA has been graced by incredible scorers throughout its history, yet only a select few have achieved prolific scoring milestones at an exceptionally young age.
Sophom*ore sensation
Zion Williamson
is the most recent example, recently becoming the fourth-youngest player to reach 1,000 points, showcasing his consistent scoring abilities in the league.
Still, even Zion falls short of the top five youngest players to reach the illustrious 10,000 career points mark.
We'll delve into the extraordinary talents that occupy this exclusive list, all of whom either have their place secured in the NBA Hall of Fame or are destined for it.
Surpassing 10,000 points in the NBA is a remarkable milestone for any player, especially those aged under 25. The players on this list boast an impressive 10 scoring titles and 11 NBA Championships between them. Let's take a closer look at each of them:
5. Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady, a Hall-of-Famer, ranks fifth on our list. This seven-time All-Star and scoring maestro enjoyed a prolific 15-year NBA career. Notably, he led the league in scoring for two consecutive seasons while playing for the Orlando Magic, achieving an average of 32.1 points per game during the 2002-03 season.
At the age of 24 years and 272 days, McGrady became the second-youngest player at that time to reach 10,000 career points.
4. Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony, known for his consistency and scoring prowess, became one of the youngest NBA players to score 10,000 points at the age of 24 years and 251 days in 2009.
Anthony's impressive 18-year career includes an average of 23 points per game. He's recorded over 25 points per game in nine seasons and secured the scoring title in 2013.
3. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant, the late LA Lakers legend, was known for his scoring prowess and remarkable 20-year career. In the 2005-06 season, he achieved a staggering 35.4 points per game, the eighth-highest tally for a season of all time.
At 24 years and 194 days, Bryant became the youngest player at the time to reach 10,000 career points, surpassing iconic figures like
Michael Jordan
and Shaquille O'Neal.
2. Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant, commonly known as 'The Slim Reaper,' is another player who wasted no time establishing his scoring presence in the NBA. Durant, a former MVP, led the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons and won the title again in 2014, with his highest tally reaching 32 points per game.
In November 2012, Durant became the second-youngest NBA player to reach 10,000 career points and, six years later, the second-youngest to reach 20,000.
1. LeBron James
LeBron James, one of the most iconic figures in the NBA's history, sits atop this exclusive list. The youngest player ever to reach 10,000, 20,000, and 30,000 points, James has enjoyed an 18-year career that started when he entered the league at the age of 18.
He was named Rookie of the Year and has consistently averaged at least 25 points per season. In the 2007-08 season, he led the league in scoring with an average of 31.4 points per game. James achieved the 10,000-point milestone at the age of 23 years and 59 days, setting a record that will be challenging to surpass.
