The NBA Finals have become a breeding ground for new stars. Remember Kawhi Leonard, who grabbed the spotlight in the 2014 Finals? It’s the opportunity of a lifetime for young players to showcase their talents and make a name for themselves. Therefore, many young stars like Darko Miličić, Jonathan Kuminga, and others stole the spotlight.
So, it’s time for players to take up the opportunity and announce their arrival to the basketball fraternity. As the 2025 NBA Finals are moments away, it’s time to flip the history books and find the budding players who appeared in the NBA Finals.
The Youngest Players To Step Foot on the NBA Finals Court
We go from a descending to ascending order regarding their age and how they stole the headlines. Here are the top 5 youngest players in the NBA Finals.
- Dereck Lively II – 20 years and 115 days
During the 2024 NBA Finals, Dereck Lively II stole the headlines for his performances for the Dallas Mavericks. Nobody expected him to come up big during those playoffs. He clocked in 22.8 minutes, scored 5.6 points, and came up big in the rebounds section with 8.2 rebounds. Moreover, he shot 70.6% from the floor, showcasing his dominance inside the paint. But the Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics, as Lively couldn’t finish the job.
- Moses Moody – 20 years and 2 days
The Golden State Warriors’ run for the 2022 NBA Finals became a testament to Stephen Curry’s greatness. Yet another player, Moses Moody, made the headlines for appearing as one of the two youngest Warriors players on the team. He appeared in four games in the Finals and clocked just 2.8 minutes. It became a memorable moment for Moody and everyone involved to play in the NBA Finals.
- Jonathan Kuminga – 19 years and 239 days
Again, just like Moody, Jonathan Kuminga became the third youngest player in the NBA Finals. He clocked in 2.0 minutes per game and appeared in four games. He just had one rebound in the series as one significant stat, but the experience on the grand stage matters. Kuminga would cherish the experience to improve his game, and certainly did that following those Finals appearances.
- Jonathan Bender – 19 years and 129 days
As the Indiana Pacers reached the 2000 finals and played against the Los Angeles Lakers, it became the opening series victory of the Los Angeles Lakers’ three-peat. But amid all those celebrations, Jonathan Bender debuted in the NBA Finals at just 19. He clocked 3.0 minutes per game and appeared in six games, averaging 3.5 points. But life was cruel to Bender, who had to retire when he was 25 with a recurring knee injury.
- Darko Miličić – 18 years and 356 days
If there’s one man who dominated the headlines for being the youngest player in the NBA Finals, it’s Darko Miličić. He appeared in three games during the 2004 NBA Finals when the Detroit Pistons defeated the Lakers. Although he clocked in just 1.3 minutes, it’s enough to put him on the list. He had a couple of good seasons here and there but faded away in the end.
Putting the spotlight on the 2025 NBA Finals, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nikola Topić could make history and become the fourth youngest player, aged 19 years, 269 days. It would be a significant achievement for him, as let’s see if he can shine on the court.
MORE: 2025 NBA Mock Draft Following Shocking Lottery Results
