We are still weeks away from the All-Star break, yet the NBA is already seeing unexpected breakout candidates and surprisingly good players. From MIP frontrunners to a shocking All-Star shoo-in, here are the five players who have surprised everyone and surpassed expectations in the 2025–26 NBA season.
Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns
If you think an undersized, undrafted point guard who once had zero Division I offers would not thrive in the NBA, think again. There are outliers, like former Villanova star Collin Gillespie, who has been a diamond in the rough for the Phoenix Suns. Since getting picked up by the Suns in 2024, Gillespie has turned from a two-way player to a starter, thanks to what he brings to the floor—playmaking and defense.
The 26-year-old PG is one of the last dying breed of floor generals who are always looking to pass first. While he’s not as flashy a passer as Luka Doncic, James Harden, or Nikola Jokic, Gillespie’s court vision and ability to make the right read have been an underrated addition to a new Suns team.
In addition, despite being only 6-foot-1, Gillespie is a decent defender. Statistically the best among the Suns in terms of on/off opponent rating, he has proven he’s not a liability on the defensive end. Gillespie is also a threat from long range, averaging 41.9% from three. In only two seasons, he has more than doubled his production in points, assists, and steals. This season, he’s averaging 13.6 points, 5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He’s the guy Phoenix needs right now to run alongside Devin Booker, and even with Jalen Green and Jordan Goodwin back, Gillespie would still get valuable minutes solely because of his consistency and incredible passing.
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
Another player from an almost extinct archetype is Detroit Pistons bruiser big man Jalen Duren. Before getting injured, Duren was putting up 17.9 PPG and 10.6 RPG while also securing a steal and a block each night. But his numbers aren’t the only highlight of his breakout year.
Indeed, he’s a pure double-double machine, a center who lives and breathes in the paint by converting high-percentage shots and crashing the boards. His biggest contribution for Detroit, however, is his impeccable rim protection. When healthy, Duren’s insane athleticism, build, and defense automatically make him the second-best Pistons player on the floor, right next to Cade Cunningham.
One area for improvement is his outside shot. Currently, the four-year veteran hasn’t established a reliable jumper beyond 20 feet from the basket. At this point, it’s still surprising to see that he hasn’t made a three-pointer in his NBA career yet.
Dillon Brooks, Phoenix Suns
Dillon Brooks has had his fair share of negative spotlight in his NBA career, including his beef with LeBron James and various on-court antics, all of which have received mixed reactions. In the summer of 2025, Brooks became part of a blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. It was a huge shoe to fill for the former Memphis Grizzlies and Rockets forward, and many fans figured he’d just be another pawn in a rebuilding Suns team.
However, things seem very different this time. The league is seeing the best version of Brooks, as the 29-year-old veteran is currently averaging a career-high 21.2 points per game. Despite being the instigator he is, Brooks has turned the hate towards him into fascination as a legitimate leader and culture-setter for a young Phoenix Suns team. In the first quarter of the 2025–26 season, Brooks has shown he’s capable of being the franchise’s second-best player behind Devin Booker as he leads them toward possibly clinching a playoff spot this year.
Remember when there were talks of Brooks joining the Shanghai Sharks in 2023? That’s ancient history now!
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks
Former Virginia Tech standout Nickeil Alexander-Walker, better known to some as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s first cousin, is quietly making a strong impression among fans and analysts with his stellar 2025–26 NBA campaign. After bouncing around the league for the past seven years, Alexander-Walker has finally found his footing with the Atlanta Hawks, exceeding expectations.
Currently, NAW is averaging a career-best 20.4 points per game while also proving he’s one of the league’s best perimeter defenders. Since being drafted in 2019, Alexander-Walker hadn’t been able to crack more than 13 PPG—until this season. Although he’s always been an energy guy on both ends of the floor, even when he played with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Alexander-Walker’s scoring prowess this season has surprised many. The 27-year-old guard is an obvious candidate for Most Improved Player of the Year, although the next player on this list might challenge him for that honor.
Deni Avdija, Portland Trailblazers
With each passing week, Portland’s decision to trade for Deni Avdija in 2024 looks better and better. Although it cost them a lot of draft picks, it has been worth it, as the Israeli star has taken a huge leap this NBA season, posting career-highs in points, assists, and rebounds.
Through 38 games, Avdija is averaging 26.3 PPG, 7.0 APG, and 7.2 RPG. He went from being just an underrated wing defender to a franchise centerpiece in just one year. After an exceptional start to his sixth NBA season, Avdija has caught the attention of analysts. Before the season, ESPN ranked him as the 66th-best player in the league, while The Ringer had him in the top 40.
What’s even more interesting is that the latest NBA All-Star voting tells a different story. Avdija is currently No. 7 in the Western Conference, gaining more votes than all-time greats like LeBron James (No. 8) and Kevin Durant (No. 9). Obviously, Avdija isn’t better than LeBron or KD, but his massive improvement and unprecedented breakout have definitely surprised everyone in the league.
The best part? The Blazers are only paying Avdija $14.3 million this year. With his 4-year, $55 million contract set to expire after this season, they essentially got an All-Star player on a discount.
