Top 30 athletes under 30-years-old

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May 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) controls the ball against the defense of Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones (6) during the first half in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

23. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers – 26 years old

He went from being an electrifying, high-flying Oklahoma Sooner to the highly touted No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2009 NBA Draft. After missing what should have been his rookie year with an injury, Blake Griffin did not disappoint when he played 82 games in the 2010-11 season.

He’s averaged more than 20 points in four of the five seasons he’s put in with the NBA. More importantly, he’s been a cornerstone of a revitalized Clippers franchise that went from laughing stock of the NBA to championship contender seemingly overnight.

Sure, adding Chris Paul and Doc Rivers as the head coach has certainly helped, but Griffin has also put in the work. Griffin’s young career has yielded an average of 21.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. His true shooting percentage has stayed above 50 percent each year, and his three-point percentage jumped from 27 percent to 40 percent last season.

DeAndre Jordan’s development has also helped, but Griffin was the first piece of what is now referred to as “Lob City.” And he certainly deserves all of the credit he gets — possibly more.

There aren’t many power forwards who can keep up with Griffin. He runs the floor like a gazelle and leaps like he has tiny rockets in his shoes. If he continues to develop his perimeter game, there won’t be anyone in the league capable of guarding Griffin. And that could be the key in the Clippers progressing from championship contender to champion.

Next: No. 22 Patrick Peterson