25-under-25: The best of the rest

MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 29: Jabari Parker #12 drives to the basket and throws the ball off the backboard for Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 29, 2016 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Dennis Schroder, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors

TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 03: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles past DeMarre Carroll #5 of the Toronto Raptors during the second half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on December 3, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

28. Dennis Schroder, Atlanta Hawks

The natural evolution for young players is for them to take over veteran roles as time goes by. Their ascending talent eventually surpasses the descending talent of older players. Not all of them will accomplish that, of course. Some players are not destined for stardom. But many will get their chance, especially if they show promise early.

This is the category Atlanta Hawks point guard Dennis Schroder fits into.

After years of playing backup to Jeff Teague on playoff teams, he took the helm of the team full-time last year. He averaged 17.9 points per game and dished out 6.3 assists per game. Most importantly, the Hawks made the playoffs again.

This year will be different, though. Hhis All-Star companion in Paul Millsap is gone. The former All Star in Dwight Howard is also gone. In fact, the Hawks do not look anything remotely like they did last year. Expectations are lower and many predict the Hawks will be one of the worst teams in the league.

This is a recipe for a young player like Schroder to show what he can do. If Atlanta is going to prove everyone wrong, Schroder is going to have to take a star turn and there are plenty of people who think he can.

He has done as much at Eurobasket this fall where he led Germany to the quarterfinals, using his tremendous speed and playmaking to get into the paint and cause havoc.

That is what the Hawks want to see when he steps on the court this season. It will be important for his development too. He will either become the star the Hawks can build around or a solid starter.

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