As we ease our way into 2025, let’s take a moment to reflect on the last 25 years of the NBA and acknowledge we’ve been blessed with some of the best power forwards and centers of all time, from Shaquille O’Neal and Kevin Garnett to Tim Duncan, Chris Bosh, Dirk Nowitzki, and many more. While the 2000s were a golden era of big men, it’s hard not to get excited about the future of the position, especially when players like Victor Wembanyama, Evan Mobley, and Jaren Jackson Jr. are establishing themselves as the new wave of hybrid forwards. 

Over the last couple of years, we’ve witnessed the latter trio begin to separate themselves as emerging stars, and over the previous two weeks, they’ve continued their ascent to superstardom. Let’s break down why their impact on the court has resulted in a well-deserved ratings increase. 

Victor Wembanyama, Center, San Antonio Spurs

95 OVR (+3)

The NBA has several promising prospects for the next “face” of the league, but one has to love Victor Wembanyama’s odds to rise to the top. Over the last two decades, the Association has seen a multitude of skilled European big men leave an indelible mark on the league, from Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić—but Wemby is ready to carry the torch.

Last year’s first-overall pick recently eclipsed his 100th game in the NBA and became the fastest player in NBA history to reach 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 150 blocks. To put his otherworldly talent in perspective, he’s recorded more points through his first 100 games than Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant, and Dwyane Wade; he’s made more three-pointers than Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Durant; and he’s blocked more shots than Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Duncan. Given that Wemby's still only 21 years old, we’re watching a superstar in the making statistically outpace some of the greatest players in NBA history.

Evan Mobley, Forward-Center, Cleveland Cavaliers

89 OVR (+1)

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the midst of a historic season. Led by Head Coach Kenny Atkinson, this team is playing some of its best basketball with a 19-1 home record through the first 20 home games of the season—second-best in franchise history. The Cavs starting lineup features a tandem of former All-Stars—point guard Darius Garland and shooting guard Donovan Mitchell—but Evan Mobley’s development has arguably been the team’s biggest driver of success this season. 

When the Cavs selected Mobley in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft with the No. 3 overall pick, the front office considered him a Hall-of-Fame talent. Now, in Atkinson’s system, Mobley is realizing his lofty potential and maturing into the Cavs’ defensive anchor, while averaging a career-high 18.9 points per game. The 23-year-old big man still has plenty of room to grow, and if the coaching staff can continue expediting his development this season the Cavs could shift into an even higher gear.

Jaren Jackson Jr., Forward-Center, Memphis Grizzlies

89 OVR (+1)

In 2022-2023, Jaren Jackson Jr. took home the Defensive Player of the Year award, joining Kawhi Leonard, Dwight Howard, and Alvin Robertson as the youngest players in NBA history to win the prestigious hardware at just 23 years old. In the two years since, the prolific defender has expanded his offensive repertoire and improved his points per game average with a career-high 22.7 in 2024-2025. His blocks per game have regressed since his incredible DPOY season, but he’s still averaging 1.6 blocks per game this year while carrying more responsibility at the other end of the floor.