NBA players born in 2000 include Zion Williamson, Jalen Smith, Cole Anthony, Tyler Herro, Josh Green, RJ Barrett and Tyrese Maxey.
These groups of new-generation players represent a promising future for the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Among them, Zion, 23, is a powerhouse with exceptional athleticism and skill on the court. Similarly, Indian Pacers star Jalen is another rising star known for his versatility and ability to influence plays at both ends of the floor.
On the other hand, Tyler Herro has emerged as a standout player who can hit shots from anywhere on the court while showcasing great spirit and composure under pressure.
These young talents born in 2000 have already made significant marks early in their careers and possess immense prospects for future success.
1. Zion Williamson - 6 July 2000
Zion Williamson became the youngest player drafted in NBA born in the 2000s era. The New Orleans Pelicans chose him as the 1st overall pick in the 2019 draft.
Born in Salisbury, North Carolina, on July 6, 2000, Zion Williamson age surpassed 23 years at the end of the 2022-23 season.
The 6-foot-6 star played a season in NCAA college basketball with the Duke Blue Devils before entering the NBA Draft in 2019. The New Orleans Pelicans, who had the 1st overall pick then, selected Williamson.
He made his NBA debut on January 22, 2020, against the 2023 NBA Draft 1st pick, Victor Webanmaya's team San Antonio Spurs. So far, Zion has completed four seasons in the league, winning two All-Star selections in 2021 and 2023.
2. Jalen Smith - 16 March 2000
Jalen Smith is among the talented basketball players born in March. Smith marked his birth on the 16th day of the month in 2000.
Nicknamed "Stix", the 23-year-old is currently making his mark in NBA with the Indiana Pacers. Although the Phoenix Suns picked Smith in the 2020 Draft, he joined Indiana in February 2022.
The former Maryland Terrapins center spent two years with Phoenix, spending his final year playing in the G League with its affiliate club, Agua Caliente Clippers.
Smith extended his stay with the Pacers in July 2022 after signing a two-year deal worth $9.6 million.
Until now, over the course of his four seasons in the NBA and having participated in 146 games, Smith has maintained an average performance of 8.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
3. Tyler Herro - 20 January 2000
Tyler Herro is among those basketball players birthdays lie in January. Herro is a former Kentucky Wildcats star currently playing for the NBA side Miami Heat.
Herro, who the Heat chose as the 13th overall choice in the 2019 NBA draft, had a strong start. He acquired a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2020 and even made it to the NBA Finals in his rookie year with the Heat.
Tyler broke the record for the highest free throw percentage in a single season for the Heat in the 2022-23 campaign. He further excelled and was honored as the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2022.
Looking closer at his NBA numbers, Herro has scored an average of 14.0 points per game while also tributing 3.1 assists and grabbing 4.4 rebounds.
4. Cole Anthony - 15 May 2000
Cole Anthony is one of the rising NBA players born in May. Anthony celebrates his birthday every year on May 15.
The 6-foot-3 point guard joined NBA as an Orlando Magic draftee from the 2020 draft. He signed with the club in November of that year.
Anthony began playing basketball from a young age competing in Archbishop Molloy High School, followed by Oak Hill Academy. He then chose to play for six-time NCAA basketball division winner North Carolina Tar Heels.
As a high school senior, Cole's performance earned him a special award from USA Today and he was the selected MVP in crucial games like the Jordan Brand Classic, McDonald's All-American Game, and Nike Hoop Summit.
5. Josh Green - 16 November 2000
Josh Green is an NBA player from Australia who was born on 15 November 2000. The Dallas Mavericks recruited Green in the 2020 NBA draft.
In November 2020, two weeks after his 22nd birthday, Green officially joined the Mavericks by signing his rookie contract.
He played his first NBA game against the Suns on December 23. Later, on February 18, 2021, he was assigned to the Salt Lake City Stars, a team in the NBA G League. Green returned to the Mavericks roster for the 2021-22 campaign and played in 67 games.
Besides, during the 2022-23 NBA season, he had his most outstanding personal performance. He played in 60 games, with 21 of those as a starter, and averaged an impressive 9.1 points per game.
6. James Bouknight - 18 September 2000
James Bouknight is a September born NBA player who turned 22 in 2022. Bouknight attended La Salle Academy before joining MacDuffie School.
Following his high school career, the New York native committed to play for the UConn Huskies in the NCAA tournament. Then, after playing with the Huskies for two seasons, James left college early and entered the NBA Draft in 2021.
The Charlotte Hornets were front runner to recruit Bouknight and they selected him as the 11th overall pick. He has been on a two-way contract with the Hornets since signing in August 2021.
The 6-foot-4 youngster has 65 games in his cap for the team and is also a regular starter for Charlotte's G League team, the Greensboro Swarm.
7. Trey Murphy III - 18 June 2000
One of many NBA players born in June is Trey Murphy III. Murphy currently plays for the Birmingham Squadron in NBA G League.
He made a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans by signing a rookie contract in August 2021. Murphy was chosen as the 17th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2021 NBA draft but was subsequently traded to the Pelicans.
With a towering 6 feet and 8 inches height, Murphy dominated high school and college basketball. The Durham resident averaged 24.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game for Cary Academy.
Murphy then joined Rice University in 2018 and spent two seasons with the Rice Owls. Then in March 2020, he entered the transfer portal and agreed to join Virginia Cavaliers basketball.
8. RJ Barrett - 14 June 2000
RJ Barrett is a Canadian basketball player born on 14 June 2000 in Toronto, Ontario. Barrett is a talented scorer who has the potential to be a future star in the NBA.
Barrett is the son of former basketball player Rowan Barrett. Before transferring to Montverde Academy in Florida, he attended St. Marcellinus Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario.
Besides, RJ was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year and the Naismith High School Player of the Year in 2018.
He then played a season for the Duke Blue Devils in 2018-19 and was named to the All-ACC First Team and the Jerry West Award in 2019.
The New York Knicks drafted Barrett with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. He has averaged 18.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in his four seasons with the Knicks.
9. Devin Vassell - 23 August 2000
Devin Vassell is an impressive basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs. Vassell is one of the notable NBA players born in August.
Coming from Lawrenceville, Georgia, the 6-foot-5 athlete was the Spurs' 11th overall pick in round one of the 2020 NBA Draft.
Vassell played college basketball at Florida State Seminoles from 2018 to 2020. He received the Most Outstanding Player award at the 2019 Emerald Coast Classic and earned a Second-team All-ACC selection in 2020.
Devin inked a deal with Spurs in November 2020 and played his inaugural NBA game against the Grizzlies in December.
Vassell recorded his career-best performance with 29 points and contributed 3 assists and 3 rebounds in the November 2022 matchup verse the Sacramento Kings.
10. Tyrese Maxey - 4 November 2000
Tyrese Maxey is among the brilliant NBA players from Texas who was born on 4 November 2000. Maxey celebrated his 22nd birthday in 2022.
The former South Garland High School alum began his basketball journey with the Colonels, where he played as a shooting guard. Maxey, a 5-star recruit, left South Garland for Kentucky Wildcats in 2019 and won SEC regular season championship.
The 2019 Texas Mr Basketball decided to try his luck in the NBA draft the following season. The Philadelphia 76ers chose him as the 21st overall pick in the first round.
Maxey switched to the point guard position at Philadelphia starting with his second season. He has capped 231 games for the franchise during his three seasons.
