Although many sports fans in Worcester watch local rugby teams and follow their beloved Premier League clubs, many people also focus on sporting events outside of the country, such as the NBA. With the new season firmly on the horizon, there are some game-changing basketball professionals worth watching in the coming months.
While these basketball players are household names in America, they aren’t necessarily widely known in the UK. Sure, most people on this side of the pond have heard of LeBron James, but they might not be aware of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. These top players are capable of lighting up any occasion; they’re respected by fellow players, selected by fans who play fantasy basketball products, and backed by bettors who assess NBA Player Props due to their influence on the court. Simply put, as world-class operators, they garner a lot of interest.
With the new NBA season arriving, below we take a brief look at just five of the best players in the competition today. If you’re interested in the sport, then these excellent players are worth watching in 2025 and 2026.
Stephen Curry loves to score for the Golden State Warriors
While it’s probably fair to say that Stephen Curry isn’t at the peak of his powers anymore as he experienced a noticeable decline last season, he’s still a key figure in the Golden State Warriors’ project. Curry enters the new campaign after recording his lowest scoring average of the decade (24.7), but he’s still one of the finest scorers in the entire competition. A player who is capable of producing game-winning moments out of nowhere, Stephen Curry simply loves to score vital points in the most crucial of moments. He’s almost guaranteed to do the same this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the league’s biggest stars
The aforementioned Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserves to be known far more than he currently is in this part of the world. The Oklahoma City Thunder hero led his team to the NBA Championship last time out, while also being named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP), alongside an NBA regular season MVP award and scoring title. The Canadian is capable of winning games on his own, making him a player worth watching when you get the chance.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has already done it all
When most basketball fanatics think of the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo immediately springs to mind. The giant Greek is a formidable presence on the court given his sheer size, he’s already achieved a huge amount in the sport, including winning the NBA Finals and being named the league’s MVP twice, and he’s expected to turn it on once again this season.
Nikola Jokic is a key man for the Denver Nuggets
In the same way Manchester City rely on Erling Haaland to get them out of trouble on occasions, the Denver Nuggets turn to Nikola Jokic when the going gets tough. The three-time MVP winner regularly produces the goods for his franchise, and he’s regarded as one of the greatest centers the sport of basketball has ever seen. If the Nuggets are to have a memorable season, Nikola Jokic will almost certainly have something to do with it.
Anthony Edwards is highly important for the Minnesota Timberwolves
While some of the aforementioned professionals are probably more entertaining to watch than Anthony Edwards, the athletic guard’s importance to the Minnesota Timberwolves cannot be understated. Sure, he perhaps isn’t as flashy and skilful as the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but Edwards has an aggressive offensive style that makes him a great player to watch.
Written by James Mcallen
