Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley lands in top 10 of NBA’s top 25 players under 25 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Cleveland Cavaliers big Evan Mobley cemented his place among NBA elite players under 25 as ESPN ranked him inside the top ten of the league’s top 25 players under 25.

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At 24, Mobley has already emerged as one of the NBA’s most impactful defenders since the Cavs took him third overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. Mobley is one the youngest player to ever win Defensive Player of the year. Only five players have won the award at 23 in NBA History.

Last year, he joined a short list of young big men recognized for two-way impact. Memphis Grizzlies big Jaren Jackson Jr. and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard are the only other big men to win the award before their 24th birthday.

Where does Evan Mobley rank in ESPN’s top 25 players under 25?

Mobley earned All-NBA Honors and Defensive Player of the Year honors at the end of only his fourth season.   This year, he moved up one spot from the No. 8 ranking last year.

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The Cavs’ big has not missed much time this year, except when the team held him out. Mobley remains a perennial candidate for the NBA’s best defender. He could join Howard as a player with multiple DPOY awards before 25.

Moreover, the 7-footer continues to expand his offensive game, despite not being the primary scorer in a lineup that features guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.  Mobley can provide value to many NBA lineups because he can lead a defense without disrupting the offense.

Mobley is showing better decision-making as a passer and an improved finishing ability this year. He is averaging career highs in points and assists per game, despite the Cavs’ big shooting a career-low 50% from the field. Mobley is currently averaging 18.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1.7 blocks through 24 games.

Paired with Jarrett Allen, Cleveland features one of the most defensively versatile front courts in the NBA. Mobley’s length and instincts makes him able to guard multiple positions as well as protect the rim. The Cavaliers are expected to continue managing his workload as they push for playoff positioning in a tightly packed Eastern Conference race.

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Cleveland’s 14-11 overall record has them in a three-way tie with the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks for the Eastern Conference’s 7th seed. The Philadelphia 76ers have a one-game hold on the 6th seed currently.

Mobley, a San Diego native, was drafted by the Cavaliers after one season with the USC Trojans.