National Basketball Association

What to expect from young stars in 2009-10

Published Aug. 6, 2009 8:53 p.m. ET

foxsports

The NBA is populated by many fully-realized superstars as well as even more unsuccessful superstar wannabes. Throw in over-the hill veterans, role players of various talents and specialists of every stripe. Yet, perhaps the most intriguing NBA citizens are the youngsters who have already enjoyed considerable acclaim and have the potential to evolve into truly elite performers.

The upcoming season will be critical for a handful of star-quality, 25-and-under players. So here's what the best of these guys need to show in 2009-10 in order to prove that they're indeed on their way to the next level of excellence.