by Man, I’m so tired of the same recycled MVP debates and superstar rankings. Don’t get me wrong—I love watching Luka work his magic and seeing what insane stat line LeBron’s gonna post at age 40.
But while everyone’s busy arguing about whether Jayson Tatum or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should be in the MVP conversation, there’s a whole group of players quietly doing incredible things that somehow fly completely under the radar.
You know what I’m talking about. Those guys who show up every single night, stuff the stat sheet, make winning plays, and then get about 30 seconds of highlight coverage while we spend 20 minutes dissecting whether a superstar’s outfit choice was a “statement.”
It’s honestly criminal how some of these players get overlooked just because they don’t play in Los Angeles or New York, or because they’re not dropping 40 points with flashy dunks every night.
“Underrated” in today’s NBA means different things—sometimes it’s a role player who’s performing way above his contract, sometimes it’s a borderline All-Star who gets ignored because his team plays in a small market, and sometimes it’s a guy who does all the dirty work while his more famous teammates get the credit.
These are the players who make you go “Wait, he’s averaging what?” when you look at the numbers.
This list is gonna surprise you. Some names you definitely know but probably don’t realize how good they’ve been this season.
Most Underrated NBA Players Right Now
Others? You might have to Google their jersey number. But trust me, after reading this, you’re gonna be that annoying friend who won’t stop talking about how underappreciated these guys are.
Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Right Now
| Rank | Player Name | Team | 2024-25 Season Averages | Why They’re Underrated |
| 1 | Ty Jerome | Cleveland Cavaliers | 12.6 PTS, 3.8 AST, 54.4% 3PT | Sixth man excellence on historic team |
| 2 | Alperen Sengun | Houston Rockets | 18.2 PTS, 10.8 REB, 5.1 AST | Best passing center nobody talks about |
| 3 | Andrew Wiggins | Golden State Warriors | 17.8 PTS, 4.5 REB, 2.7 AST | Playing like an All-Star again |
| 4 | Derrick White | Boston Celtics | 16.4 PTS, 4.2 REB, 4.8 AST | Elite two-way player in star shadows |
| 5 | Tari Eason | Houston Rockets | 11.2 PTS, 6.8 REB, 1.9 STL | Defensive menace flying under radar |
| 6 | Kris Dunn | LA Clippers | 8.3 PTS, 3.9 REB, 3.7 AST | Defensive anchor for contender |
| 7 | Isaiah Hartenstein | OKC Thunder | 12.1 PTS, 12.3 REB, 4.0 AST | Perfect glue guy for young team |
| 8 | Nic Claxton | Brooklyn Nets | 10.8 PTS, 9.1 REB, 2.1 BLK | Elite rim protector on rebuilding team |
| 9 | Jalen Green | Houston Rockets | 19.1 PTS, 4.1 REB, 3.2 AST | Breakout season being ignored |
| 10 | Goga Bitadze | Orlando Magic | 9.3 PTS, 7.7 REB, 1.7 BLK | Perfect fill-in starter |
Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Breakdown
1. Ty Jerome – Cleveland Cavaliers
This one’s gonna blow your mind. Remember Ty Jerome? The guy who couldn’t stick anywhere for his first five years in the league? Well, he’s currently shooting 54.4% from three and leading the NBA in true shooting percentage while coming off the bench for the best team in basketball. Read that sentence again.
Jerome’s averaging 12.6 points and 3.8 assists in just 19 minutes per game, which projects to absolutely ridiculous per-36 numbers. He’s had four 20-point games already this season—that’s nearly half his career total! The man is shooting 65.5% on floaters and looks like he hasn’t missed a shot all year. Meanwhile, everyone’s talking about the Cavs’ “Big Three” while this dude is quietly providing the perfect spark off the bench. Sixth Man of the Year? Most Improved Player? He’s got a legitimate case for both.
2. Alperen Sengun – Houston Rockets
If Alperen Sengun played for the Lakers or Warriors, we’d be having daily debates about whether he’s the best passing center since Jokic. Instead, he’s in Houston putting up 18.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game while nobody outside of Texas seems to notice. The man is a 6’10” point center who can score in the post, stretch the floor, and make passes that would make Magic Johnson jealous.
Sengun’s basketball IQ is off the charts, and he’s the engine that makes Houston’s surprising success possible. He’s got the best hands I’ve seen on a big man in years, and his chemistry with guys like Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green is already elite. But because he’s not dunking on people or blocking shots into the third row, he gets zero national attention. It’s honestly insulting at this point.
3. Andrew Wiggins – Golden State Warriors
Plot twist: Andrew Wiggins is having the best season of his career, and most people don’t even realize he’s still in the league. After that disastrous 2023-24 campaign, where it looked like he was completely washed, Wiggins has bounced back massively. He’s averaging career-highs across the board—shooting 48.1% from the field, 41.3% from three, and looking like the athletic freak we all remember from his Minnesota days.
The Warriors are somehow 12-3, and while everyone’s (rightfully) praising Steph Curry and their deep bench, Wiggins has quietly been their second-best player. His per-36 numbers look like an All-Star: 22.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, plus elite defense. Remember when people thought his 2022 All-Star selection was a fluke? Yeah, about that…
4. Derrick White – Boston Celtics
Derrick White is the perfect example of how being on a stacked team can hurt your recognition. This man is averaging 16.4 points, 4.8 assists, and playing All-Defense level basketball every single night, but because he’s the fourth option behind Tatum, Brown, and Porzingis, nobody talks about him.
White’s three-point shooting has been incredible (38.2%), his defense is elite as always, and he’s been clutch in big moments all season. He’s the perfect modern NBA player—can guard multiple positions, shoots the three, creates for others, and never has bad games. If he played for Charlotte or Portland, he’d be an automatic All-Star. Instead, he’s just the “other guy” on the defending champs. Criminal.
5. Tari Eason – Houston Rockets
After missing most of last season with injuries, Tari Eason has come back looking like a defensive demon. The 23-year-old is getting 3.0 deflections per game in just 22.8 minutes, which is insane. His steal rate is in the 100th percentile, his block rate is in the 98th percentile—, if you’re on offense against Houston, you better hope Tari Eason isn’t on the floor.
But here’s what makes Eason special: he’s not just a defensive pest. All that chaos he creates leads to easy transition buckets for Houston, and their pace spikes whenever he’s playing. The Rockets are deep and loaded with young talent, so Eason gets lost in the shuffle, but this dude is going to be a problem for opposing offenses for the next decade.
6. Kris Dunn – LA Clippers
The Clippers have the fourth-best defense in the NBA, and Kris Dunn might be their most important piece. Yeah, you read that right. While everyone’s focused on Kawhi’s health and Harden’s resurgence, Dunn is quietly having one of the best defensive seasons in the league. Opponents shoot just 42.9% when he’s the primary defender, and LA gives up 15.3 fewer points per 100 possessions when he’s on the floor.
Dunn’s steal rate is over 2% again, and his defensive rebounding as a combo guard is elite. More importantly, he’s covering for James Harden and Norman Powell’s defensive limitations, making the Clippers’ entire system work. Sometimes the most valuable players are the ones who don’t show up in highlight reels.
7. Isaiah Hartenstein – OKC Thunder
The Thunder made the smartest under-the-radar signing of the offseason when they poached Isaiah Hartenstein from the Knicks. This man is averaging 12.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while providing the veteran presence and basketball IQ that OKC desperately needed. He’s the perfect complement to Chet Holmgren and makes everyone around him better.
Hartenstein does all the little things that don’t show up in basic stats—setting screens, making the right pass, getting offensive rebounds, and protecting the rim when needed. He’s turned OKC from a young, athletic team into a legitimate contender, but because he’s not flashy and plays for a small market, nobody talks about how important he’s been.
8. Nic Claxton – Brooklyn Nets
Poor Nic Claxton is putting up 10.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game for a Nets team that’s been surprisingly competitive, but nobody cares because Brooklyn is “rebuilding.” Claxton’s rim protection has been elite, and his improved offensive game around the basket makes him a legitimate two-way center.
The problem? He’s playing for a team that traded away all their stars and is trying to build around young players. Claxton’s been their most consistent performer, but when you’re on a team that’s not expected to make the playoffs, individual excellence gets ignored. If he was doing this for a contender, we’d be talking about him as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
9. Jalen Green – Houston Rockets
Jalen Green is having his breakout season—19.1 points per game on improved efficiency, better shot selection, and actual defense—but somehow he’s still flying under the national radar. Maybe it’s because we’ve been waiting for this version of Green for three years, or maybe it’s because Houston has so many young players that he gets lost in the mix.
Green’s three-point shooting has jumped to 37.8%, he’s attacking the rim more consistently, and his chemistry with Sengun and the rest of Houston’s young core is finally clicking. This is the player the Rockets thought they were getting with the second overall pick, but better late than never, right?
10. Goga Bitadze – Orlando Magic
Goga Bitadze has quietly become one of the best backup centers in the league, and with Wendell Carter Jr. injured again, he’s proven he can handle starting duties too. The Magic are 9-3 in his 12 starts, during which he’s averaged 9.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks on ridiculous 71.2% true shooting.
Bitadze’s shot-blocking and rebounding have been crucial for Orlando’s defense, and opponents shoot 4.4% worse when he’s the primary defender. He’s not a star, but he’s exactly the type of solid, reliable big man that championship teams need. The fact that he keeps getting overlooked for bigger opportunities is mind-boggling.
FAQs:
- What does it mean to be underrated in the NBA?
Being underrated usually means there’s a gap between how well a player is performing and how much recognition they get. It could be a role player exceeding expectations, a star on a small-market team, or someone whose contributions don’t show up in traditional stats but make their team significantly better.
- Who is the most underrated player in the league right now?
Right now, it’s gotta be Ty Jerome. The man is shooting over 54% from three, leading the league in true shooting percentage, and playing a huge role for the best team in basketball, all while coming off the bench. Yet most casual fans probably don’t even know his name.
- Do underrated players ever get recognized later?
Absolutely! Look at guys like Draymond Green, Kyle Lowry, or even Giannis early in his career. Sometimes it takes a playoff run or an All-Star selection to open people’s eyes. The key is sustained excellence—eventually, the numbers become too obvious to ignore.
- Why do small-market players get overlooked?
It’s simple: less media coverage, fewer nationally televised games, and smaller fan bases. A player putting up 20 and 10 in Oklahoma City gets way less attention than someone putting up 15 and 8 in Los Angeles. It’s not fair, but it’s reality.
- Can analytics help highlight underrated talent?
Definitely. Advanced stats like true shooting percentage, defensive rating, and/minus help show impact beyond traditional box scores. But analytics only matter if people pay attention to them, which many casual fans don’t.
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Conclusion:
Look, I get it. It’s easier to focus on the guys dropping 35 points with poster dunks or hitting logo threes.
Those highlights are fun, and star power drives ratings. But basketball is so much more than that.
It’s about the guy who sets the perfect screen, makes the extra pass, gets the crucial defensive stop, or provides the spark off the bench when his team needs it most.
These ten players represent everything that makes basketball beautiful: hard work, consistency, sacrifice, and making your teammates better.
They might not get the SportsCenter treatment or the signature shoe deals, but they’re the backbone of competitive basketball.
They’re the reason their teams are better than expected, and they deserve way more credit than they’re getting.
The beauty of basketball is that there are always hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Maybe it’s a rookie who’s quietly having an incredible season, a veteran finding new life with a different team, or a role player stepping up when given the opportunity.
That’s what makes following the league so much fun—you never know where the next great story is coming from.
Want to keep track of these under-the-radar performances in real time? Check out Scorecard Stream brings you live stats and scores so you never miss a quiet 30-point night again.
Because honestly, some of the best basketball moments happen when nobody’s paying attention—and that’s exactly when these guys do their best work.
