During the Houston Rockets takedown of the Utah Jazz, fans that were watching the broadcast may have noticed a brow-raising graphic.
The focal point?
Rockets’ Jalen Green Joins Hall Of Famers With Latest Feat
Rockets young cornerstone Jalen Green, who signed a unique contract extension last offseason. The second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Green is now the sixth youngest player (23 years, 46 days) to record 6,000+ points, 1,200+ rebounds, and 1,000+ assists since 1976-77.
This is ridiculous company for Jalen Green.
6th youngest player since the Merger to join this group. pic.twitter.com/7RveRO76FP
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 28, 2025
Among the eight players listed, two have already been inducted into the Hall of Fame: Kobe Bryant (22 years, 205 days) and Tracy McGrady (22 years, 320 days).
The five remaining players are all active.
Los Angeles Lakers teammates LeBron James (21 years, 89 days) and Milwaukee Bucks leader Giannis Antetokounmpo (23 years, 54 years) already have foolproof Hall of Fame cases. Lakers point guard Luka Doncic (22 years, 335 days), Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards (22 years, 177 days), and Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker (23 years, 132 days) may not be shoo-ins for that honor yet but they’re on the right trajectory.
That said, Green’s resume isn’t on their level.
Jalen Green’s Resume
Green was selected for the All-Rookie first team, which can’t be downplayed. In a class that included Rockets teammate Alperen Sengun, Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham, Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley, Toronto Raptors point-forward Scottie Barnes, and Orlando Magic wing Franz Wagner, he could have easily missed the cut. Like him, each of the aforementioned players are regarded as star-caliber building blocks for their respective teams.
As a rookie, he was invited to the 2022 Slam Dunk Contest. He was selected to participate in the Rising Stars game as a sophomore. Green has yet to participate in All-Star Weekend as an actual All-Star though. As he’s in just his fourth season, that isn’t necessarily problematic. Nevertheless, until he does, there cant’ be a discussion about much else.
Tectonic Plates
A superior athlete, Green could probably play for another 15 years, especially if he stays healthy. As he gets closer to his mid-to-late 20s, the theoretical prime of a player’s career, he could start racking up the accolades.
To that point, there are several players that could retire or decline within the next five years. James, Suns forward Kevin Durant, and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry are the first players that come to mind. The three Olympians —Zeus, Poseidon, and Apollo —have been peppered with questions about when they’ll hang it up.
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, 35, is another perennial All-Star who could retire by that time. Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (33) and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (31) are among those whose play could begin to decline due to age and injury.
That much shift in the NBA landscape could certainly benefit Green.
Upward Trajectory
With Rockets head coach Ime Udoka pushing him, Green is reading the floor better, making his presence felt defensively, and committed to crashing the glass. There’s still a little too much variance in his shot-making, likely due to his shot difficulty. All the same, his stats and his tape are that of a high-quality player.
In 2024-25, Green’s averaging a career-high and team-high 21.5 points per game. He’s also averaging a career-high in rebounds (4.7) and steals per game (0.9). Speaking of his defense, he’s holding opponents to 43.8 percent shooting from the field on isos. For the third consecutive season, he’s averaged at least three assists per game.
We’ll stop there. But just think, he’s only scratching the surface of his potential..
© Rob Gray-Imagn Images
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