The shooting guard position has never been more dangerous. The ability to shoot the three from way past the three point line, create space, and convert at the basket has made shooting guards the most-lethal position in the game. You don’t have to look further than the likes of James Harden, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Zach LaVine to see that these guards can explode for 50 in any game.

Even that said, point guards are no longer the pass-first variety, point guards like Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry, and Damian Lillard are more shoot first guards in the vein of the two-guard backcourt mates. In fact, a guard has led the league in scoring the last seven seasons. The line differentiating the two positions has blurred, we can just call them guards or scoring guards going forward. 

This got us thinking about the next era of shooting stars to look out for. To make this list you have to be 23 years of age or younger.

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (20)

Born in Atlanta, Anthony played his college basketball for the Georgia Bulldogs after initially paying more attention to football and baseball. He was the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, going to the Minnesota Timberwolves and scoring 15 points on his debut, together with 4 rebounds. By March 2021, his career-high stood at 42 points, putting him 3rd on the list of the youngest players to score 40 or more in an NBA game and forced his name into the conversation for Rookie of the Year. That award ultimately went to LaMelo Ball, but not before he put the league on notice with his scoring barrages.

After a strong second half to the season, Timberwolves fans are hoping to see him become one of the league’s outstanding shooting guards in the next season.

Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (23)

Even the one point guard on this list would never be confused to be a pass-first guard. The way Trae gets his assists is based on creating his own shot, getting into the lane. drawing the defense before either lobbing it to Clint Capela or John Collins or whipping it back out to a waiting Danilo Gallari or Bogdan Bogdanovic for an open three. Trae’s handles, his ability to take and make 30 foot shots, and floater game make him one of the most-dangerous scoring guards in the game — and he’s only 23 years old.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (23)

Shai joined basketball’s top league in the 2018 draft, when he was picked by the Charlotte Hornets and then traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. His rookie season was quietly impressive, as he scored a career-high of 25 against the Golden State Warriors in the play-offs and amassed 24 points on a couple of other occasions.

This earned him a place in the 2019 Rising Stars Challenge, in the second NBA All-Rookie team. He was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019 and by the end of the year had pushed his career-high to 32 points in a win over the Clippers. Shai then went to become the youngest player to record a 20-20-10 game.

Early in 2021, his career-high reached new heights with 42 points against San Antonio Spurs, but his season ended early due to injury. If he can stay fit, this season could see the Canadian become one of the NBA’s biggest stars. 

Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (19)

Cade played his college basketball with the Oklahoma State Cowboys and was widely recognized as a top college player, gaining All-American status and gold at the 2019 Under-10 World Cup. The Pistons then choose him as the first overall pick in the 2021 draft. 

At the time of writing, he is just starting out in his NBA career. However, the 6 foot 8 shooting guard appears to have a bright future ahead of him, and a lot of people are keen to see how he performs and whether he can drive the Pistons to success.

RJ Barrett, New York Knicks (21)

Another Canadian, RJ spent time with the Duke Blue Devils before being picked by the New York Knicks in the 2019 NBA draft, as the 3rd overall pick. His first game in the league saw him plunder 21 points and 5 rebounds. By the end of the year his career-high had reached 27 points and he ended his rookie season with an average of 14.3 points and 5 rebounds but never made it into the All-Rookie team.

The 2020-21 season witnessed Barrett progressing nicely, with an average of 17.6 points and 5.8 rebounds, including a career-high of 32 points in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. His shooting percentages increased greatly and he helped the Knicks reach the play-offs after several years of missing out. 

There you have it, the top 5 best upcoming scoring guards as the next generation of NBA scorers. Did we miss anyone? For a list of the best shooting guards in NBA of all time here: edge.twinspires.com/nba/the-best-shooting-guards-in-nba-history/