People might not be talking about the NBA season as yet, but players behind the scenes have started putting in the work. While basketball enthusiasts are busy counting down for the new season, some young stars are ready to hit the court.
The NBA 2026/27 season promises to bring fresh opportunities, young stars, and plenty of chances to make a statement. For some players, they are hoping to make a name for themselves and just have their breakthrough season.
NBA training camps open on 29 September, with preseason action getting underway on 3 October. So, who has been building momentum before the new season tips off? Here are some of the names worth keeping an eye on the new NBA season.
Scoot Henderson
In just two seasons in the league, Scoot Henderson has seen the best and worst side of himself. Having entered the league at No. 3 overall in the 2023 draft, the young guard has struggled to live up to heightened expectations. Henderson averaged 14.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game during the 2025-26 season.
More than ever, it is time for Henderson to rise to the occasion. With his enthusiastic personality and attacking upside in his game, Henderson has what it takes to be the long-lasting young player on the roster.
The real test now lies in his ability to show continued improvement as the young guard seeks to produce on the biggest stages.
Naz Reid
Averaging a double-double per game and shooting from beyond the arc, Naz Reid has long been a rising name in the league.
During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per contest. Despite his success, the centre has found it hard to become a key part of the Kings’ offence. Now, he gets a fresh chance to make his mark in Charlotte.
Reid was traded to the Hornets in June as part of the blockbuster deal sending LaMelo Ball to Minnesota. With a new locale and a fresh start, Reid is set to have an intriguing 2026-27 season. After all, the centre has shown that he has the upside and quality to produce at a consistently high level.
Kel’el Ware
Kel’el Ware does not have a lengthy track record, but what he lacks in volume, he makes up for in quality. At 7 foot, the young centre has flashed his offensive and defensive versatility as an elite shooter from deep, averaging 11.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game during the 2025-26 regular season.
He has also shown great production in spurts, including a 24-point, 19-rebound, and seven-block effort against Washington in the season’s closing weeks. Now, Ware has moved on from Miami to Milwaukee in an effort to find greater production time.
Summertime reports from the Summer League spoke glowingly of his upbeat attitude toward the move and the opportunity ahead of him. With just 22 years of age, Ware has ample upside to continue maturing as a premier two-way centre.
Amen Thompson
Amen Thompson has all the makings of a modern two-way wing. He combines elite defensive versatility, playmaking skills, perimeter shooting, and interior scoring.
During the 2025-26 regular season, he averaged 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, shooting an impressive 53.4%. Although he has long been seen as a rising prospect, the main intrigue centres on whether his offensive skill can evolve alongside his playmaking.
Having evolved into one of Houston’s best young two-way talents, the question now is whether Thompson can be a dynamic player at the next level. If so, expect his name to loom large in the conversations surrounding the league’s best young talent.
Ausar Thompson
If anything characterises Amen Thompson’s game, it is his defensive tenacity and skill. The Detroit Pistons forward averaged an impressive 9.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. He was also selected fifth overall in the 2023 NBA draft.
His game is best described by the effect he has on the floor, away from the ball. Ausar uses his elite motor and basketball IQ to finish plays, winning defensive stops on broken plays or altering shots.
It remains to be seen whether his offensive game has similar upside. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old is well on his way to becoming an increasingly important two-way performer in the league. As a rookie, he was Detroit’s steal and block leader, showing that his defensive impact can be felt on even the largest stages.
Matas Buzelis
Matas Buzelis is a fascinating player who has continued elevating his game. The 21-year-old Chicago Bulls forward averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game during the 2025-26 season.
Buzelis has the ability to operate from the perimeter, with strong shot-blocking instincts. Chicago fans have seen plenty of highlight-reel efforts from their young forward. Buzelis is not only a dangerous high-flyer but also possesses a rare wing length at his position.
And, most notably, he has begun to show signs of becoming increasingly consistent as his NBA career progresses. All in all, if Buzelis manages to harness his tools, his potential for a breakout season should not be understated.
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The NBA off-season has seen its fair share of action, and not necessarily just between teams. Henderson looks to capitalise on his production as a second-year guard with expanding offensive range. Meanwhile, Reid has joined a new team in Charlotte, where he seeks to continue being a consistent double-double threat per contest.
Ware heads to Milwaukee to join a young core at the centre position, while Amen Thompson is expected to continue his two-way development in Houston. Simultaneously, Ausar Thompson looks to provide a similar defensive upside as a rising forward, with breakout scoring potential in Detroit. Buzelis is set to show that his tools can translate to consistent production in Chicago.
With the 20th of October fast approaching, you need not wait long to see which of these young players can make the biggest strides this season. Bet on basketball with playTSOGO and get a front seat to this much-anticipated new NBA season.
