One NBA general manager believes that Bam Adebayo is the second-best center in the league behind reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. The website HoopsHype polled 17 league executives to rank the top players under the age of 25.

Adebayo was arguably having the best season of his career before undergoing thumb surgery in early December. He was averaging 18.2 points and 10.2 rebounds in 18 games.

He has definitely been one of the up and coming stars in the league, however considering him the second-best big is the league seems to be a little far-fetched, especially with players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert being at their top of their games.

“I think he’s the best big in the league behind Nikola Jokic because of his athletic versatility, his passing, he can play big or small, and guard on the perimeter,” an NBA general manager. “I’m thinking about the playoffs, not the regular season. He can beat Rudy Gobert down the floor and guard Joel Embiid.

He can match up with Giannis Antetokounmpo if the Bucks go small. He’s good at preventing guys from getting to their spots and taking comfortable shots. I don’t know what else you want from your five?”

The Heat are hoping Adebayo will return in the next couple weeks. In his absence, Omer Yurtseven became a breakout star for Miami, helping the team remain at the top-3 of the Eastern Conference with a 25-15 record.

In the same poll, Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic remains the first choice for most NBA executives as the player under-25 they prefer to build around. Adebayo is ranked 9th in this list, while rookie big Evan Mobley is sixth and reigning NBA finalist Deandre Ayton is 14th.