Being quick on their feet is one of basketball players’ most indispensable athletic abilities. The players’ speed plays a crucial part in the game that can change the tide in a blink of an eye.
NBA undoubtedly has some of the greatest basketball players of all time. Therefore, there is no question that the league has some of the fastest basketball players, and their speed and agility are unmatched by any other players.
So who are the top ten fastest NBA players in the world?
Over the years, we have seen many great basketball players in NBA. From those players, we have compiled a list of ten of the fastest NBA players in the world. More than once, their raw speed has played a crucial part in the game.
The players’ speed, athletic abilities, and skills make them unstoppable forces to reckon with. Consequently, these players on our list have set a new benchmark for the newer players.
Now without further delay, let us look at our compilation of the world’s top ten fastest NBA players!
Quick Overview
Before we dive into the details, here is our overall ranking of the top ten fastest NBA players.
| Player’s Name | Position |
| 10. Manu Ginobili | Shooting Guard |
| 9. Darren Collison | Point Guard |
| 8. Dwyane Wade | Shooting Guard |
| 7. Kyrie Irving | Point Guard |
| 6. Derrick Rose | Point Guard |
| 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo | Power Forward |
| 4. John Wall | Point Guard |
| 3. Russell Westbrook | Point Guard |
| 2. De’Aaron Fox | Point Guard |
| 1. LeBron James | Small Forward |
Top Ten Fastest NBA Players In The World
Our list’s primary sources are from internet sites like Sportskeeda, BleacherReport, etc.
10. Manu Ginobili
The first NBA player on our list is a former Argentine professional basketball player Manu Ginobili. The 46 year-old had over a 23-year professional career, of which he spent 16 years playing in the NBA.
San Antonio Spurs drafted him as the 57th pick in the 1999 NBA draft, which he did not sign then. Ginobili entered NBA in 2002 and started playing as a backup for Steve Smith for the Spurs.
However, he was injured much of his early season and had difficulty adjusting. But after recovering from injury, Ginobili finally found his footing in the league. He spent his 16 years of career with the Spurs.
His speed and athletic ability made him one of only two basketball players to win the EuroLeague title, an NBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal. Similarly, he is credited for popularizing the Euro Step in NBA.
After a successful NBA career, Ginobili retired in August 2018. Likewise, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in April 2022.
9. Darren Collison
Our ninth pick is Darren Collison. He is a 36 year-old professional basketball player for the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League.
Collison attended UCLA, played college basketball, and was considered one of the top point guard prospects in the 2009 NBA Draft. New Orleans Hornets drafted him in the first round as the 21st overall pick.
Since then, Collinson has played for several teams like Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Lakers.
On June 28, 2019, Collinson announced his retirement from NBA but came out of retirement on December 24, 2021. On March 24, 2022, he signed with the South Bay Lakers.
8. Dwyane Wade
On number 8, we have the former professional NBA player, 42 year-old Dwyane Wade. Miami Heat selected him in the first round of the 2003 NBA draft.
Wade was the highest-ranked out of four Marquette first-round draft picks. Soon after his debut, his speed and skill drew much attention.
Wade spent the majority of his NBA career with the Heat. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in points, games, assists, steals, and shots made and taken. During his 16 years NBA career, he also played for Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Some of his notable careers wins and awards include 13 times NBA All-Star, three times NBA champion, NBA Finals MVP, NBA All-Star Game MVP, two times All-NBA First Team, and an NBA scoring champion.
In 2019, Wade retired from NBA. He was honored as one of the league’s greatest players of all time in the 2021 NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Currently, he is the host of the American adaptation of The Cube.
7. Kyrie Irving
Our seventh pick is a 32 year-old Kyrie Irving. Cleveland Cavaliers selected him as the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft.
In his high school and college years, Irving played basketball. After his draft in 2011, the following year, he won the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Similarly, he was unanimously selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
From 2011 to 2017, Irving played with the Cavaliers. Then the Cavaliers traded him to the Boston Celtics. Since 2019, he has been playing for the Brooklyn Nets.
On February 6, 2023, the Nets traded Irving to the Dallas Mavericks and Markieff Morris in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie.
Similarly, Irving has also made appearances for the US national team, who won gold at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Since his debut in the NBA, Irving has established himself as one of the flashiest players in the league. His speed and quick reflexes have made him one of the fastest players. He has the impeccable ability to switch hands and adjust mid-air.
6. Derrick Rose
The 35 year-old Derrick Rose is a professional basketball player for the New York Knicks. The Chicago Bulls drafted him as the first overall pick in the 2008 draft.
Even before his draft in NBA, Rose was a star basketball player in his high school and college years. He forwent his final three seasons at college and decided to enter the 2008 NBA draft. He was named 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year a year after his debut.
Similarly, in 2011, Rose became the youngest player to win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award at age 22. Since his debut with the Bulls, he has played for New York Nicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Detroit Pistons.
In 2021, the Pistons traded Rose to New York Knicks. Hence, he once again returned to the team. He was part of the US men’s national basketball teams that won gold at the 2010 and 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Rose was considered one of the most athletic point guards in NBA history. His combination of leaping ability, speed, and explosiveness was among the best in the league. However, his knee injuries have slowed him down in recent years.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo
On number 5, we have Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is a 29 year-old Greek professional player currently signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Antetokounmpo has earned the nickname “Greek Freak” for his size, strength, speed, and incredible ball-handling skills. He is one of the league’s most dominant and top overall players.
Before making himself eligible for the 2013 NBA draft, Antetokounmpo was part o the semi-pro Greek B Basket League, Filathlitikos. The Bucks drafted him as a first-round pick of 15th overall.
During his debut on October 13, 2013, he was one of the youngest NBA players ever in the league at age 18. Since his debut, Antetokounmpo has been playing for the Bucks. He is one of the most decorated players in basketball.
His career breakthrough season was 2016-17, when he led his team in all five major statistical categories of total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. As a result, he received the 2017 Most Improved Player award.
4. John Wall
On number 4, we have John Wall, a 33 year-old professional basketball player for Los Angeles Clippers. Washington Wizards selected him as the first overall pick of the 2010 NBA draft.
Wall played basketball during his high school and college years. He forwent his final three seasons of collegiate eligibility to enter the draft. From 2010 to 2020, he was signed with the Wizards before he was traded to Houston Rockets.
On July 8, 2022, Los Angeles Clippers signed him. Aside from NBA, Wall was also part of the US camp roster in July 2014 to compete for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup team.
In the league, Wall has established himself as one of the NBA’s fastest players. He often shows off his horizontal and vertical quickness during the game. In addition, he is a skilled passer and scorer.
Wall often relies on his fast feet to initiate transition play and drive to the basket. Although he is a gifted basketball player, he missed two years due to multiple injuries in 2019.
3. Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is number 3 on our list of the ten fastest NBA players. The 35 year-old basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers is one of the league’s best all-rounders and athletic players.
Westbrook entered the 2008 NBA draft, where Seattle SuperSonics selected him 4th overall. Six days after the draft, the SuperSonics became Oklahoma City Thunder.
Since his debut in the league, Westbrook has also played for Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards. On August 6, 2021, the Wizards traded him to the Lakers.
Westbrook is well known for playing high-intensity and creating good scoring opportunities for his teammates. Similarly, he has the incredible ability to continue his high intensity for most of his game.
Westbrook set a new record for the most triple-doubles in NBA history in the 2020-21 season and was also the first player to lead the league in points and assists in multiple seasons.
2. De’Aaron Fox
We have a young professional basketball player as our second pick. De’Aaron Fox is a 26 year-old player for the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings drafted Fox as the fifth overall pick in the draft. He extended his contract with the franchise on November 25, 2020.
Before the draft, Fox was the nation’s second-best point guard. In the Class of 2016, ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports rated him five-star and ranked him as the consensus No. 6 overall recruit.
He was highly regarded among the scouts for his speed and athleticism. Consequently, Fox is one of the most dangerous players on the fast break and driving to the rim.
Likewise, he is often considered one of the fastest players in the NBA league. Fox’s speed and quickness, combined with his excellent body control and leaping ability, have earned him his reputation.
1. LeBron James
Our list would not be complete without “King James”. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, LeBron James is 39 years old.
Cleveland Cavaliers selected him as the first overall pick of the 2003 NBA draft, and he is currently signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He is well-known in the league for his speed, athleticism, and versatility. Consequently, James is often compared with Basketball Hall of Famers like Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Oscar Robertson.
Similarly, his skills combined with his size have helped James to overpower his opponent players easily. His abilities are more apparent in transition.
Thanks to his skills, James became the first player to accumulate 10,000 or more career points, rebounds, and assists in NBA history in 2022. His career is decorated with numerous career wins and awards.
Speed is one of the aspects that has helped James to earn his reputation. He is an incredibly gifted player with extraordinary skills. Therefore, he rightfully deserves the top spot on our list of the fastest NBA player in the world.
Conclusion
These players’ athleticism is purely on the next level. Their speed, combined with their other skills and abilities, makes for deadly combinations, taking the game to another level.
With every new season, we see new talents outdoing the well-seasoned players. Therefore, there is always a chance of seeing better players with faster speed in the NBA. But the players on our list are undeniably the fastest NBA players in the world!
