Greatest Basketball IQ: A few players in the NBA now stand out for their amazing basketball IQ, which is what distinguishes the great players from the extraordinary, in addition to their physical prowess and ability to score points. LeBron James, the oldest player in the league, and other superstars like Luka Doncic, who are legitimate triple-double threats, are among the current players with exceptional basketball IQs.
It’s clear that these players provide points both on and off the scoreboard as we go further into the current age of professional basketball. Listed in the tiers below are all of the NBA players with the greatest basketball IQ at the moment.
Tier 1
LeBron James, Nikola Jokic
LeBron James and Nikola Jokic rule greatest in Tier 1 of basketball IQ. Welcome to the elite. The 39-year-old LeBron, the ageless marvel, provides a level of court awareness that is nearly unheard of. It is rather impressive how well he can penetrate defences, make precise passes, and transition between assisting and scoring. James has shown that he is a strong player by averaging 24.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. This has been the case since he was named an All-Star in his second season.
James is joined in Tier 1 by Denver Nuggets player Nikola Jokic, dubbed the Joker, who is elevating the centre position to an art form. His court vision is more Magic Johnson-like than typical centre, which is unexpected for such a large player. The loss of Jokic is a revelation and a paradigm shift that makes distinctions between perspectives less clear. Despite possessing almost no extracurricular athleticism beyond stature, Jokic leads the NBA in triple-doubles this season (13) and is almost achieving a triple-double on the stat sheet (26.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game).
You might also be interested in reading this: The World’s Top 10 Most Unique Basketball Prospects
Tier 2
Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Tyrese Haliburton
The mastermind of the three-point shooting movement, Stephen Curry, is a basketball genius as well as a shooter. He poses a continuous danger because of his off-ball movement, court awareness, and decision-making. Although his threes enthral the crowd, it’s his dribbling and off-ball movement that really distinguishes him from the others. Curry, who is almost 36 years old, is averaging 26.8 points per game this season because he understands how defences grow complacent and how he can take advantage of it.
Tier 2 assembles an alluring blend of skill and basketball wisdom, featuring superstars in terms of game understanding and overall influence. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a versatile player whose skill set keeps getting better. In addition to his athletic skills, he possesses a greatest basketball IQ due to his ability to read defences, make quick judgements, and dominate in transition. When considering the influence on both ends of the court, the two-time MVP and past Defensive Player of the Year is the finest all-around player in the world.
The teenage basketball prodigy Luka Doncic has an intelligence much beyond his years. His triple-double skills are a result of his passing, vision, and game comprehension. In a single game, he can score seventy-three points; for the season, he can nearly triple-double with 34.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 9.2 assists while drawing triple teams on every possession. The 24-year-old will often make the best decision.
Finally, thanks to his sound judgement, effective playmaking, and defensive reflexes, Tyrese Haliburton, the emerging star, has rapidly established himself. Haliburton, a contemporary of Steve Nash, is the league’s top creator this year with 12.6 assists per game—an incredible feat considering that he turns the ball over just 2.5 times a game.
Tier 3
James Harden, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Basketball IQ is a high standard, and Tier 3 puts together a talented group of players who each bring a special set of skills to the table. The master of scoring and creating plays, James Harden, outwits opponents with deft movements and court vision. Even though he is beyond his peak and is frequently criticised for dribbling the ball excessively and making tough step-back threes, he still has the ability to cut through defences. With three scoring titles and two assist titles under his belt, he was the NBA’s top assist leader in the previous season (10.7).
Kevin Durant, a four-time scoring champion, reads defences and makes clutch plays by fusing his offensive skill with a sharp basketball mind. Although Durant’s scoring is the focal point of his basketball IQ, he is also a capable rebounder and passer. The basketball wizard forward is a real showman because of his ability to score against opponents with rapid dribble movements and a powerful first step.
Jimmy Butler, the epitome of leadership and grit, uses his greatest basketball IQ to his advantage both offensively and defensively, opening up possibilities. Butler is a competitive player who doesn’t put on a show on the pitch; instead, he wants to improve throughout the postseason. Due to his inherent basketball intelligence, he is able to influence the game defensively. He is also aware of his offensive limits and how to lead the Miami Heat to victory.
Kawhi Leonard is renowned for his cool-headedness and ability to make excellent decisions, especially under pressure. Leonard never rushes, and plays at his own speed, and in some situations, his influence is similar to that of the legendary Michael Jordan. Leonard is a basketball genius who is gifted with big hands, a strong build, and an exceptional two-way IQ. We are fortunate that he continues to be healthy. Leonard is playing at his peak this season, averaging 23.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest.
A budding celebrity, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander combines playmaking, scoring, and defensive skills with a sophisticated grasp of the game. With 31.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game this season, he appears set to be selected to the All-NBA First Team once more. With a basketball IQ that is absolutely exceptional, Gilgeous-Alexander is now ranked among the world’s top five players and a legitimate superstar.
Tier 4
Joel Embiid, Jalen Brunson, Jrue Holiday, De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Trae Young, Draymond Green, Paul George
A wide range of athletes are assembled in Tier 4, and each one brings a unique basketball intelligence to the game. The Philadelphia 76ers’ powerful big man Joel Embiid has a flexible basketball IQ that he uses to spread the field and win in the post. Embiid, the current MVP and NBA’s top scorer (36.0), has been one of the finest players in the league and keeps proving why he is genuinely exceptional on both sides of the floor. The centre will demonstrate that he has an extremely high IQ if he can perform as well in the playoffs as he did throughout the regular season.
Jalen Brunson, the cunning guard for the New York Knicks, is a prime example of basketball intelligence due to his ability to manage the tempo and make effective decisions. Brunson, a superb point guard who is having a career year by averaging 26.5 points and 6.4 assists per game, maybe an All-Star starter this season.
The Boston Celtics’ defensive guru, Jrue Holiday, has a tremendous basketball IQ on both sides of the court, making big plays and setting up the offence. Holiday, who is 33 years old, is not going to put up explosive scoring numbers as he did for the Bucks in 2021, but he is a winning player, and he might make all the difference for the Celtics this season.
The Sacramento Kings’ quick point guard, De’Aaron Fox, blends his physicality with an expanding knowledge of the game, especially in transition and playmaking. With 27.5 points and 5.6 assists this season, Fox has significantly improved his play and is still a game-changing force when he gets the ball. The Kings’ rise to prominence in the West can be attributed to Fox’s ascent.
Son of legendary basketball player Arvydas Sabonis, who was known for having a high basketball IQ, Domantas Sabonis combines basketball intelligence with a remarkable passing talent that goes beyond his position. For the Sacramento Kings, he steals rebounds, scores inside, and controls the glass. A superb centre with an unmatched IQ, Sabonis averages 20.0 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game.
Trae Young keeps defences off balance with his scoring skill and court vision. Even while his defence sometimes prevents him from reaching the level of real superstardom, he is an attacking monster. Though his range of motion is restricted due to his small stature of 6’1″ and 164 pounds, Young is yet a superb passer and scorer. Young does receive criticism, though, for being a player who uses the ball a lot and whose fondness of long threes sometimes reduces his effectiveness.
The cornerstone of the Golden State Warriors defence, Draymond Green, is a brilliant player who affects the game with his passing, defence, and basketball IQ. Despite his inconsistent play this season, Green is a skilled player who knows how to have an impact on the game by hustling, playing defence, and creating opportunities. Without Draymond Green, the Warriors would not have won four titles, absurd as it may seem.
Paul George is a slick player with a great all-around game who combines scoring with a keen sense of game strategy to be a valuable member of the team. This season, he is averaging 23.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 41.7% from three-point range per game. He is also making a comparable amount of defensive contributions. Although George is regarded as the Clippers’ backup option, he has a very high IQ.
Tier 5
Jayson Tatum, Ja Morant, Damian Lillard, Fred VanVleet, LaMelo Ball, Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell, DeMar DeRozan, Tyrese Maxey, Derrick White
A compelling combination of players, each with a unique basketball IQ that enhances their team’s performance, makes up Tier 5. The adaptable forward for the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum, demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of shot creation and scoring. Tatum keeps getting better, and when he understands how opponents make him commit mistakes, his greatest basketball IQ may go even further. Tatum has the potential to become even more of a superstar if he can refine his late-game judgment.
The dynamic Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has a mature command of speed, playmaking, and finishing near the basket. Despite his regrettable season-long absence due to shoulder surgery, Morant has had an incredibly remarkable influence. With three seasons in a row when he has averaged at least 25 points and six assists, it’s possible that we could soon be witnessing the play of the greatest point guard in history.
In pivotal situations, Damian Lillard’s combination of superior basketball intellect and deep shooting is evident. This season, he has already won a game and started for the Eastern Conference All-Star Team. Despite his exceptional ability to attack the rim and his inconsistent defence, Lillard has a tendency to get overly fixated on three-pointers, which makes him a Tier 5 player regardless of how good he is offensively.
Beyond his stature, Fred VanVleet exhibits a basketball IQ that affects the game on both ends with astute judgements and unrelenting defence. VanVleet is a difference-maker with the ball because of his style of play, which has contributed to changing the culture of the Houston Rockets. In talking about basketball IQ, the guard’s smart moves, lack of ego, and inherent leadership qualities all come into play.
The exciting young player for the Charlotte Hornets, LaMelo Ball, has a natural ability to lead the floor and orchestrate the offence with style and originality. This season, he is averaging 23.9 points and 8.0 assists per game, demonstrating a profound grasp of how to misdirect defences. Ball will become a more proficient and productive player as he continues to raise his career field goal percentage (42.7%), which will increase his basketball IQ.
Mike Conley is a seasoned floor general who demonstrates astute leadership and decision-making. Conley, who is 36 years old, has experienced it all and has a significant impact on the Timberwolves when he plays. He plays smart passes, plays strong defence, and is a fantastic shooter who is averaging 10.9 points and 6.4 assists per game this season while shooting 43.9% from three.
Donovan Mitchell exhibits a great understanding of offensive and defensive strategy. Sure, his shooting and agility let him play at an All-Star level, but he also understands defences and how to score against the best of them. Mitchell will make improvements in that area since his postseason efforts have drawn criticism.
At 34 years old, DeMar DeRozan manoeuvres defences and creates scoring opportunities with his greatest basketball IQ. His ability to score the ball close to the hoop or from outside the area is what makes him a very skilled one-on-one player. He has averaged 22.1 points and 5.4 assists per game this season.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ budding star, Tyrese Maxey, combines a decision-making and scoring ability that defies his youth. Maxey is a strong candidate to make his first All-Star team and is making use of his quickness, scoring 25.7 points and 6.6 assists per game.
Derrick White, a dynamic guard with strong playmaking and defensive acumen, is one of the league’s most underappreciated players. White is exceptionally skilled at scoring near the basket, plays competitive defence, and never misses a shot. The guard became a valuable member of the Boston Celtics during his time playing with the Spurs under Gregg Popovich.
