ESPN Top 100 Players Movement: Zubac and Amen Lead Biggest Gains, Holiday Drops 55 Places for Largest Decline

On September 26th Beijing time, the new season's ESPN Top 100 Players list was published. Compared to last season, which players saw the largest shifts in their rankings? Here are the top five players who climbed and dropped the most. Let’s first look at the biggest risers—

Biggest Rise #1: Ivica Zubac (Up 64+ spots)

Unranked in the top 100 last season, now ranked 36th this season

Zubac is no longer the “underrated” player—he has broken out in his ninth professional season. Even more promising, at just 28 years old, he is entering his prime competitive years and is expected to shine even brighter in the future.

In a Western Conference crowded with “inside talent,” Zubac has developed into a top-tier defensive center. He is also one of the league’s best offensive rebounders and consistently focuses on efficient scoring opportunities—with his shooting percentage above 60% for the past six seasons. Zubac has proven he can take on a bigger role, and the Clippers plan to give him more responsibility this season.

Biggest Rise #2: Amen Thompson (Up 63+ spots)

Unranked in the top 100 last season, now ranked 37th this season

Without a doubt, Amen Thompson is one of the NBA’s most gifted talents. After making the NBA All-Defensive First Team in his second season, he is ready to enter the next phase of his development. Thompson’s intensity is exactly the style Rockets coach Udoka values—last season, he became the first player since Charles Barkley in 1993 to record a playoff game with at least 25 points, 5 steals, and 3 blocks.

Now, Thompson’s main focus is refining his skills, especially improving his three-point shooting (which was only 27.5% last season). His tireless work ethic suggests he is very likely to improve in this area.

Biggest Rise #3: Jalen Johnson (Up 56+ spots)

Unranked in the top 100 last season, now ranked 44th this season

Jalen Johnson was poised for a breakout season but was sidelined early in January due to a shoulder injury. Before the injury, in 36 games played, he averaged 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.

With the additions of Porzingis and Alexander-Walker, Johnson and Trae Young will have more support. If Johnson maintains his upward trajectory, this fourth-year player could break into the top 35 players in the league—making the Hawks a strong contender in the competitive and open Eastern Conference, challenging teams like the Knicks and others.

Biggest Rise #4: Cunningham (Up 55 spots)

Ranked 67th last season, now 12th this season

In his first playoff experience, Cunningham fully justified his role as a “core” player. Although the Pistons lost a tough first-round series to the Knicks, the young team showed significant progress—and Cunningham was the driving force behind Detroit’s transformation last season, leading to a big leap in his ranking.

With more talented players added to the roster, Cunningham has finally begun to show the “star potential” that the Pistons expected when they drafted him first overall in 2021: he made his first All-Star appearance and averaged 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds during the regular season. Playoff experience is crucial for young stars, and after his first meaningful NBA postseason, how Cunningham evolves this season will be closely watched.

Biggest Rise #5: Daniels (Up 45+ spots)

Unranked in the top 100 last season, now ranked 55th this season

Dyson Daniels had a fruitful first season with the Hawks: not only was he named Most Improved Player, but he also finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and earned a spot on the All-Defensive First Team. In his first season as a starter, the third-year guard averaged 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.0 steals, with a 34% three-point shooting rate.

With Okongwu and Porzingis anchoring the Hawks' rim protection, Daniels will have more defensive support and greater freedom to attempt aggressive steals and other active defensive plays. If he improves his outside shooting further, he has the potential to be ranked among the league’s top 50 players.

Now, let’s look at the top five biggest drops—

Biggest Drop #1: Jrue Holiday (Down 55 spots)

Ranked 36th last season, now 91st this season

Jrue Holiday, entering his 17th professional season, returns to Portland—after being traded to the Blazers in 2023 and then quickly moved to Boston. This season, he will serve as a veteran leader supporting a young core lineup.

The two-time NBA champion will continue to contribute to Portland’s improving defense: the team improved from 23rd in defensive efficiency last season (2023-24) to 16th. However, at 35 years old, Holiday is clearly in the twilight of his career, and expecting him to maintain his peak dominance is unrealistic.

Biggest Drop #2: Barrett (Down 47 spots)

Ranked 53rd last season, now 100th this season

Last season, Barrett averaged a career-high 21.1 points for the Raptors—his first full season with his hometown team since being traded there mid-2023-24. However, his role remains somewhat uncertain this season: the Raptors aim to combine his talent with new addition Ingram and rising star Scottie Barnes to build a more competitive lineup.

Biggest Drop #3: Embiid (Down 39 spots)

Ranked 8th last season, now 47th this season

With former MVP Embiid playing only 19 games last season, ranking him was almost impossible. If he returns healthy, he clearly still ranks among the league’s top ten—just like in previous seasons before 2024-25. But the uncertainty around his health, especially considering his frequent injuries and low availability over the past 18 months with the 76ers, makes it unclear if he can regain his peak form.

Biggest Drop #4: Ingram (Down 37 spots)

Ranked 40th last season, now 77th this season

Unnoticed, Ingram is about to start his tenth professional season. The former second overall pick played only 18 games last season due to a severe ankle sprain before being traded to the Raptors, who signed him to a three-year, $120 million extension. Since December 7, 2024, Ingram has not appeared in any games. He has been an All-Star only once in his career (2019-20). Watching how he teams up with Scottie Barnes, Quickley, and Barrett in the near future will be a key storyline.

Biggest Drop #5: DeRozan (Down 35 spots)

Ranked 45th last season, now 80th this season

In March last year, with a signature mid-range jumper, DeRozan became the 27th player in NBA history to reach the 25,000 career points milestone. Now, he is about to start his 17th professional season.

In his 16th season, DeRozan averaged 22.2 points per game, marking his 12th consecutive season scoring over 20 points per game; he played 77 games, marking the 12th time in his career he appeared in at least 74 games in a single season. At 36, DeRozan still maintains high efficiency and durability, but since his Raptors days, defensive weaknesses and team roster limitations have kept him from reaching the Finals. Since 2019, he has appeared in only five playoff games total.