Thunder center Steven Adams was named one of the best players under the age of 25 in a recent list by ESPN.

Three analysts with ESPN ranked their top 25 players under 25 based on future potential and Adams finished tied for 17th on the list.

Bobby Marks, an analyst with ESPN and former assistant general manager for the Nets, ranked Adams the highest of the three analysts at No. 11 in his individual rankings:

“Give credit to Adams and the player development staff in Oklahoma City,” Marks wrote. “If you scouted Adams at the University of Pittsburgh, the last place you think you would see the center would be on this list. Like Capela, Adams was deemed more of a project when he entered the NBA in 2013. Four years later, he has developed into OKC’s interior cornerstone and the top offensive rebounder in the NBA.”

Adams just qualified for this list as he’ll turn 25 in July, but it’s still evident that many around the league still view him as one of the best up-and-coming players in the league.

He is currently having the best season of his five-year career after averaging a career-high 13.9 points, nine rebounds, one block and one assist per game this year for OKC.

He ranks 15th in the league in total rebounding while he is second in offensive rebounding at 5.1 per game.

Fortunately, the Thunder have him locked up for three more seasons after this year.